Etiquette of Speech in Islam: Use of Words

Assalaamu’alaykum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh!

Dear all,

I have compiled some (but not all) Islamic teachings regarding the etiquettes of speech. I have once made a post on the etiquette of speech discussing in particular the etiquette of discussion especially the undesirability of interrupting others –> find it here). This time inshaaAllah I will list out ayats from the Qur’an and hadith on the importance of using good words and especially the prohibition of using bad words.

From The Qur’an

“And speak to people good [words]…” (Surah Al Baqarah ayat 83)

“Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record].” (Surah Qaf ayat 18)

“And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.” (Surah Al Isra ayat 53)

“Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive, and they who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil, vain talk)” (Surah Al Mu’minuun ayat 1-3)

“O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (Surah Al Hujaraat ayat 11)

From the Hadith

Narrated Abu Hurayra r.a.: The Prophet s.a.w. said, “Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6057)

Narrated A’isha r.a: “It was not the nature of Rasulullah Sallallaahu’alayhi Wasallam to talk indecently, nor did he engage himself in the use of obscene language…” (Shama’il Muhammadiyah, Book 47 Hadith No. 330)

Narrated Hasan r.a. from Husayn r.a. from Ali Ibn Abi Thalib r.a.: “Rasullah s.a.w. was ….. he did not scream while speaking, nor was he rude or spoke indecently… he kept away from undesirable language…” (Shama’il Muhammadiyah, Book 47 Hadith No. 334)

Narrated ‘Iyad bin Himar r.a.: The Prophet s.a.w, while delivering sermon one day, said: “…..The inmates of Hell are five: ….. the miser and the liar and those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene and foul language..” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2865a)

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr r.a.: The Prophet s.a.w. said “The best of you are those best in conduct.’ And the Prophet was not one who was obscene, nor one who uttered obscenities.” (Jami at-Tirmidhi, Vol. 4, Book 1, Hadith No. 1975, similar narration can be found in Riyaadus Shaaliheen, Book 1, Hadith 625)

Narrated Abu Darda r.a.: The Prophet s.a.w. said “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Ressurection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” (Riyaadus Shaaliheen, Book 1, Hadith No. 626)

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As r.a.: The Prophety s.a.w. said: “…anyone who possesses one of them, possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy until he gives it up. (these are:) ……. when he quarrels, he utters foul language.” (Riyaadus Shaaliheen, Book 18 Hadith. 1543)

I hope this will be useful, especially in the ‘climate’ that Indonesians are in right now.

Wassalaamu’alaykum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh