Twenty-first Ramadan Lecture Presented by Al-Sayyid Abdul Malik Badruddin Al-Houthi, 1444 A.H.
The blessing of expression (1)
the necessity of realizing responsibility in using it
I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the outcast.
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Praise is to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. I believe that there is no god but Allah, the Sovereign and the Manifest Truth, and that Muhammad, our master, is His servant, Messenger, and Last Prophet.
O Allah, confer Your salat and blessings upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad as You conferred Your salat and blessings upon Ibrahim and the Family of Ibrahim. You are Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory! And be pleased with Muhammad's good companions and all Your righteous servants and mujahidin.
O Allah, guide us and grant us acceptance, for You are All-Hearing, All-Knowing; accept our repentance, for You are the Relenting and the Merciful.
Brothers and sisters, peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
One of the greatest blessings that Allah has bestowed upon humans, distinguishing them and favouring them over many of His creatures and most animals created on the earth, is the blessing of speech and expression.
The blessing of expression is a tremendous blessing for humans. The ability to speak and articulate with the tongue, which also applies to writing, is indeed among the greatest blessings that humans often fail to fully grasp and comprehend its significance and the magnitude of this gift and the immense kindness of Allah towards humans in bestowing it upon them.
Allah (Glory be to Him) states in the Holy Quran, {'The Most Compassionate taught the Quran, created the human, and taught him expression'}. And He (the Almighty) also says, {'Have We not given them'}—humans—{'two eyes, a tongue, and two lips; and shown them the two ways ?'}. Regarding writing, Allah (Glory be to Him) says, {'Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe!'}. He swore by the pen and by writing, emphasizing their importance as a great blessing that holds significant value and impact in human life. And He (the Almighty) says, {'Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, the One Who taught by the pen. He taught the human that which he did not know'}.
In the life of a human being, particularly during early childhood when he has not yet acquired speech, he relies on crying. When he feels hungry, he cries. When he feels thirsty, he cries. When he experiences pain, he cries. When he interacts with or is hurt by something, he cries. His language is solely crying.
Imagine if human life remained in this manner, without the blessing of speech, where humans only cry when they need something, are annoyed by something, or are angered by something. Their life would be extremely limited in terms of their actions and what they can embark on in this life. It would be a difficult situation for humans. It is similarly challenging for those who do not possess this blessing (the gift of speech), as it becomes difficult for them to express many things and talk about various matters. They may rely on gestures or resort to writing.
The blessing of expression: its importance and multiple benefits
Expression is a fundamental means for humans to express their needs, matters, feelings, and beliefs in this life. It is the translator of their inner selves, expressing what is within them. Humans also rely on this means in their dealings, relationships, issues, and positions. It is a fundamental means upon which humans rely for all of that.
Humans are social beings, and their lives, activities, dealings, and life requirements are within a collective framework with their community and the people around them. Therefore, they greatly need this tremendous blessing and rely on it fundamentally in various aspects of their lives. Consequently, all dealings are based on this blessing, civilizations are built upon it, and life affairs are conducted based on this blessing: the blessing of expression (through spoken language as well as writing).
It is also a fundamental means for learning, education, acquiring knowledge, and a connection to the guidance of Allah (Glory be to Him). Allah (the Almighty) has granted to humans through this blessing what He did not grant to other animals. There is a vast domain in this blessing in terms of the ability of humans to express themselves in many languages and possess a broad capacity for expression, as well—they can express a wide range of matters and delve into all the details, and convey their thoughts and feelings using words. The vocabulary used for expression encompasses all fields and aspects of life. It allows humans to discuss all matters. So there is a wealth and abundance.
Allah has granted humans the ability to utilize this blessing, to express oneself, to speak, to communicate orally, and to write accordingly, and He has also provided humans with rich vocabulary that enables them to express themselves. Furthermore, Allah has endowed humans with mental, psychological, and physical capabilities, as well as the necessary tools for direct communication such as the tongue and the associated organs that play a role in the process of articulation. The same is true of the blessing of writing. Although writing is composed of limited letters, the number of words and sentences that can be formed with these letters is immense and connected to various means of expression, good manners of expression, and eloquence of expression in an effective, attractive, intriguing way—it is a vast world that has become an integral part of human existence and life.
The expansion in this field continues, as each generation brings forth more uses, vocabulary, and styles of expression. Thus, this field has become extremely wide-ranging in human life and is one of the attractive and significant domains in people's reality.
Expression whether in its verbal or written form is connected to human affairs, and it is used in an extensive and increasing way and is connected to other actions in a greater way than other body parts. Among all organs, limbs, and abilities that Allah has given to humans, it is the tongue that humans use the most. The tongue is the most used organ by humans:
- It is related to other domains because it serves as an interpreter, expressing what is in the inner self of a person, what is hidden in their chest.
- It is also related to other actions, being present along with other body parts when it comes to various actions.
- It has its own resources and specific uses.
Therefore, it is the most used among the organs of humans, and speaking is an effortless process for humans, not a difficult one. The act of speaking is easy for humans. So they need it and use it extensively, as it is an effortless process.
The role of this blessing in life is significant and influential, whether for good or evil, and the resulting consequences are manifold. This means of communication is one of the most impactful means that yield important outcomes, either for good or for evil.
The necessity of being aware of responsibility in using this blessing
Therefore, because of the great importance of this blessing, because of its frequent use, and for the results this use entails in the reality of life, the way one uses this blessing is subject to great observation and accountability. Allah (Glory be to Him) says in the Holy Quran, {'Indeed, We created humankind and know what their souls whisper, and We are closer to them than jugular vein. As the two recording-angels— sitting to the right and the left—note . Not a word does a person utter without having an observer ready '}.
Allah (Glory be to Him) created humans, and He knows what their soul whispers to them. That is why when He assigns an observation over you, it is not for Him to know what we say, for He knows what we whisper to ourselves and what is in our hearts, let alone what we utter. Indeed, He knows what we keep secret and what we declare, and nothing of people's deeds nor anything in the earth or in the heavens can be hidden from Him. However, such observation is imposed firstly to be a motive for us to deal responsibly with this blessing, with our other issues, and in how we act; it is also imposed to leave us no excuse on the Day of Resurrection through the detailed documentation process of everything we have said, whether it is good or evil, as long as it is of what has to do with taking accountability or reward.
Two angels are specialized to document what a person does, and foremost among their duties is what He says: {'Not a word does a person utter without having an observer ready '}—they are present, attentive, and ready to write and document what a person says, without missing any expression or word. Everything is being documented and accordingly has results: If it is good, then its effects and results will be good for the person, but if it is evil, then they will be evil.
In the Holy Quran (in this verse and in other verses) and in what we delivered of the sayings of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&F), there are instructions that clarify the importance of feeling responsible for what we say and of being well aware that we are held accountable and that accountability and reward are inevitable. In a well-known Prophetic Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&F) said, 'May Allah show mercy on one whose speech gains him good and whose silence gains him no evil. Indeed, the tongue is what a person possesses the most. Certainly, all a servant says is held against him except mentioning Allah, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and setting right of what is between believing people.' Hearing this, some were surprised that there is reward and accountability for speech, so Mu'adh bin Jabal went to him and asked, 'O Messenger, are we held accountable for what we say?' The Messenger said, 'Is there anything that throws people into the Hellfire on their noses except the harvests of their tongues? Therefore, he who seeks safety should keep safe of what his tongue says, keep good what is within his heart, perfect his deeds, and shorten his hopes.'
We can see that this hadith emphasizes the importance of speech and understanding that one is responsible for what he says and he will be held accountable for it. So when he speaks, he should be careful that his speech is a beneficial one that gains him good, reward, or benefits or at least is free from iniquity. If your speech does not gain you reward, good, and Allah's pleasure, you should be at least careful that it does not make you bear burden or make you gain iniquity. Therefore, he (PBUH&F) says, 'May Allah show mercy on one whose speech gains him good'—when he says what is good, beneficial, and free from iniquity, through which he gains reward—'and whose silence gains him no evil.' You do not need to speak a lot; if your speech may make you bear burden, sin, or iniquity, you don't need to involve yourself in that speech! Do not make yourself bear iniquity and burden, aiming to speak a lot about every matter or be curious about everything till you fall into iniquity.
'Indeed, the tongue is what a person possesses the most.' Indeed, its extensive use and role in life—in what a person speaks, in what has to do with life affairs—is vast and significant. Then he says, 'Certainly, all a servant says is held against him except mentioning Allah'—mentioning Allah is one way to use your tongue in what benefits you and earns you reward when it is done with the tongue, the heart, and the soul—'enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and setting right of what is between believing people.' The tongue plays a fundamental and important role in all of these areas. Speech in these areas is significant. Through it, one earns the pleasure of Allah, the Almighty.
When Mu'adh bin Jabal expressed his surprise about the accountability for speech and asked the Messenger of Allah, 'O Messenger, are we held accountable for what we say?', it was because he realized that people often engage in excessive speech. If there is indeed accountability and consequences for speech, then the matter is grave. He then said, 'Is there anything that throws people into the Hellfire on their noses except the harvests of their tongues?'—this is because the numerous sins associated with the tongue are significant and serious—'Therefore, he who seeks safety should keep safe of what his tongue says, keep good what within his heart, perfect his deeds, and shorten his hopes.'
The significant difference between the outcomes of a good word and an evil word
Many people fail to comprehend the importance of speech, whether it is in what is good or in what is evil. Its immense significance lies in the realm of righteousness and pleasing Allah, while its extreme danger lies in evil, falsehood, and actions that displease Allah or transgress what He prohibited. In fact, one's destiny may hinge on a word spoken:
- You may speak a crucial word that earns the pleasure of Allah and becomes a means of success, leading to divine guidance and prosperity in all your endeavours until you stand before Allah (the Almighty) as a triumphant.
- You may speak a word that incurs the wrath of Allah, resulting in severe punishment, jeopardizing your future, depriving you of divine assistance, and bearing significant repercussions. Therefore, this matter is extremely serious.
The Prophet (PBUH&F) said, 'Verily, one of you may speak a word pleasing to Allah'—a good and important word that pleases Allah, a word in a significant position—'thinking it does not amount to much, yet by it Allah decrees His pleasure with him until the day he meets Him.' It becomes a means of success for him, earning Allah's pleasure. 'Verily, one of you may speak a word displeasing to Allah, thinking it does not amount to much'—he may not have anticipated the gravity of that word, even if it was a harmful or negative word, for he did not expect it to reach such a level in its evil, effects, outcomes, and repercussions—'yet Allah decrees His displeasure with him until the day he meets Him.' It completely deprives him of divine assistance, ruins his deeds, and significantly impacts his relationship with Allah. Therefore, this matter is extremely serious.
Speech is categorized in the Holy Quran both in terms of goodness and evil: Allah(Glory be to Him) presents an important example, saying, {'Do you not see how Allah compares a good word to a good tree? Its root is firm and its branches reach the sky, yielding its fruit all the time by the Will of its Lord. This is how Allah sets forth parables for the people, so perhaps they will be mindful'}. The good word is significant, representing truth, guidance, and goodness, commanding what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and fostering reconciliation among believers. It has a positive impact on people's lives and their well-being. It is a word that has a positive impact in important aspects. Vast is the scope of the good word that bears fruitful results and produces positive and good outcomes. So it holds its important impact, just like the profound and wonderful example given in the verse, {'Do you not see how Allah compares a good word to a good tree? Its root is firm and its branches reach the sky, yielding its fruit all the time by the Will of its Lord.'}
About the evil word, Allah says, {'And the example of an evil word is like an evil tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, not having any stability. Allah makes the believers steadfast with the firm word in this worldly life and the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. For Allah does what He wills'}.
The important values for governing the use of this blessing.
Due to the importance of word, expression, and speech, significant values are associated with them so as to regulate the use of this blessing in a correct way: Veracity comes first.
- Veracity is an important matter and is considered of the great values, part of which has to do with veracity in speech—you must be truthful in your speech. Allah says, {'the patient, the truthful'}: He depicts His righteous servants as truthful, for they strive for truthfulness in their speech. Veracity is linked to beliefs, actions, positions, and speech. Among the important values pertinent to speech is seeking truthfulness in speech.
- Another important value is justice: Allah (Glory be to Him) says, {'Whenever you speak, maintain justice—even regarding a close relative'}. You should speak justly and never exceed the bounds of justice in your speech.
In addition, one of the important values is kindness. Kindness in speaking is important: Allah (Glory be to Him) says, {'Speak to people kindly'}. You should pay attention to saying good words, not bad words, when you speak and deal with people.
- Humility is also important: Allah says, {'Lower your voice'}.
- Wisdom in speech is a very important matter: Allah says, {'He gives wisdom to whom He wills'}. Wisdom is in vision, attitude, work, dealing, behaviour, conduct, and decision-making as well as in speech—speech should be wise.
- Seeking what is right—you must stick to what is right in what you say. This is an important matter, for Allah says, {'O believers! Be mindful of Allah, and say what is right. He will bless your deeds for you, and forgive your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His messenger, has truly achieved a great triumph'}. To say what is right is to speak correctly without deviation from what is right.: It should be correct in its content and the way and circumstances it is presented in. It is very important—speaking rightly is very important—because it leads to significant consequences and is related to dealing in a sense of responsibility with the matters at hand and reality. It is a very important matter, and that is why the rightness of deeds is associated to it. On the other hand, speaking untruthfully can negatively affect deeds, spoil a lot , ruin relationships, and affect the practical reality negatively. Wisdom itself has great importance, because you present what is true in a wise, correct, and suitable way.
These highly important values that are associated with speech and expression in general are meant to regulate our conduct in utilizing this significant blessing and guide us towards the proper way to use it.
Due to the importance of this blessing and the responsibilities associated with it, as well as the wide range of its uses—the Holy Quran contains numerous commandments and prohibitions regarding speech, as Allah has commanded us to say many things, and He has forbidden us from saying many other things. Also in matters related to expression and speech, there are many uses that can be right and with significant outcomes or bad and with serious and bad consequences— if Allah wills, each of these aspects can be covered in a concise and not lengthy lecture.
Before concluding this lecture, I wouldn't miss expressing my gratitude to our dear Yemeni people for their significant presence on this blessed day (the International Day of Al-Quds), which reflects their faith, awareness, and unwavering stance.
I also want to address my thanks and gratitude to Allah (Glory be to Him) for the great blessing of the release of this batch of captives, and I pray that the process of captive exchange continues until it is fully completed, Allah willing.
I extend my congratulations to the freed brothers and convey my congratulations to their families. I assure the rest families that the work is ongoing to complete the exchange process until the release of all captives is achieved, Allah willing.
O Allah, accept our fasting, nights of worship, and good deeds. You are All-Hearing!
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.