Refine Your Speech

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Holy Quran,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً

O believers, enter into Islam completely

[al Baqarah 2:208]

One of the greatest problems today amongst Muslims is that outwardly Islam is present, but the baatin (inner character and spirituality) is missing. A complete Muslim, however, is a Muslim not only externally but also internally. The manner in which we conduct ourselves is of vital importance. The things a person says and the manner in which a person speaks reveals his true character. We may appear to be Islamic; there may be many masaajid and Islamic schools in our communities for example. However, we must also work hard on our inner characters and beings. Islam is not only about salah, fasting or dressing like a Muslim, but also that we purify and refine our speech, thoughts, feelings and akhlaaq (manners). [This short excerpt is based on a brothers’ majlis (gathering for spiritual training) held by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq on 24th May 2000].