REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Sheikh Muhammad Nawawi Bin Umar Banten explains that there are 77 branches of faith, one of which is keeping the tongue or keeping the speech. How important it is to maintain the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW from a long time ago.
As is well known, often uncontrolled speech has the potential to hurt the feelings of others and even mentally damage the other person fatally. Given the dangers of uncontrolled speech, Islam teaches to keep speech so that what comes out of the mouth is only good speech.
مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ اِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيْبٌ عَتِيْدٌ
Not a word was spoken, but there was a guardian angel by his side who was always ready (to take note). (QS Qaf: 18)
The Concise Tafsir of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia explains that this verse contains meaning, there is no word uttered, which contains good or evil, but instead there is a guardian angel at his side who is always ready to record very carefully.
Tafsir Al-Muyassar or the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Saudi Arabia explains that this verse contains the meaning, a person does not utter words and speak, unless by his side there is an angel who watches his utterances and writes them, an angel who is always present and prepared to do so.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The uprightness of religion is prayer; the pinnacle of charity is struggle; and the chief moral of Islam is silence, so that people give greetings.”
Abu Hurairah's friend Radhiyallahu narrated the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Resurrection, let him say good or remain silent.”
According to Imam Ash-Shafii, if a person wants to speak, he must think about what is to be spoken. If he seems ready, he can speak, and if in doubt he should not speak so that his desire is clear.
Some wise men say that anyone who speaks otherwise than in good deeds has done nothing. If anyone sees something without learning from what he sees, he has truly forgotten. Whoever is silent without thinking, then he really has done nothing.
Said the wise man, “If the talk makes you wonder, shut up. If silence has surprised you, then speak up.”
