Enormous Consequences for Speaking

📖Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6478
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “Verily, a servant may speak a word pleasing to Allah, thinking nothing of it, yet by it Allah raises his status by a degree. Verily, a servant may speak a word displeasing to Allah, thinking nothing of it, yet by it he plummets into Hell.”

This hadith emphasizes the immense weight and consequences of our words. Even seemingly trivial speech can carry great reward or severe punishment depending on whether it pleases or displeases Allah. However, if someone acts without knowledge or makes a genuine mistake, Allah forgives them. Intention and awareness are key in determining accountability.

How it works:

• Pleasant words: Simple statements of truth, encouragement, or remembrance of Allah, even casually spoken, can elevate a person’s rank.
• Displeasing words: Lies, gossip, insults, or hurtful speech, even spoken without intent, can incur punishment.
• Intention matters: Words may seem insignificant to us, but Allah evaluates them based on context, sincerity, and impact.

Lessons for today:

1. Think before speaking: Words carry spiritual consequences even if they seem minor.
2. Speak truthfully: Honesty is rewarded, while deceit can harm and bring punishment.
3. Avoid harmful speech: Gossip, slander, and insults can destroy relationships and harm your soul.
4. Use words for good: Encourage, teach, and remind others of Allah through your speech.
5. Mind casual conversation: Even offhand comments can count in reward or sin.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 33:70-71
O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.

📖Quran 49:11-12
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Avoid suspicion; indeed some suspicion is sin. And do not spy or backbite one another.

📖Quran 18:28
And keep yourself patient [by] being with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life…

📖Quran 4:17
Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil ignorantly or carelessly and then repent soon after. It is they to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.