Surah al-Balad (The City ) 90 : 9

Explanatory Note

Allah mentions another favour given to man for right guidance. He has granted him speech. His tongue and lips which are his means of speech and expression. One word sometimes does the job of a sword or a shotgun and can be even more effective than either. It may, on the other hand, plunge a man into the fire of hell. Mu ‘adh ibn Jabal said: “I was with the Prophet on a journey. One day I was walking beside him when I said, ‘Messenger of God! Point out to me something I may do to take me to paradise and keep me away from hell.’ He said, ‘You have indeed asked about something great, yet it is quite attainable by those for whom God has made it easy. Worship God alone, assigning to Him no partner, offer your prayers regularly, pay out your zakat [i.e. what is due to the poor of one’s money], fast in the month of Ramadan and offer the pilgrimage.’ The Prophet then said, ‘Shall I point out to you the gates of goodness?’ I said, ‘Yes, Messenger of God, please do.’ He said, ‘Fasting is a safeguard and a means of protecting yourself; charity erases your errors just as water extinguishes a burning fire; and your praying in the late hours of the night is the sign of piety.’ He then recited the verse, “[those] who forsake their beds as they call on their Lord in fear and in hope; and who give in charity of what We have bestowed on them. No soul knows what bliss and comfort is in store for these as reward for their labours.” (32: 16-17) The Prophet then added: ‘Shall I tell you what the heart of the matter is, its backbone and its highest grade?’ I said, ‘Yes, Messenger of God, please do.’ He said, ‘The heart is Islam, i.e. submission to God, the backbone is prayers, and the highest grade is jihad, i.e. struggle for the cause of God.’ He then said, ‘Shall I tell you what commands all these?’ I said, ‘Yes, Messenger of God, please do.’ He said, ‘Control this,’ pointing to his tongue. I said, ‘Are we, Prophet of God, really accountable for what we say?’ He said ‘Watch what you are saying.'
 
For what else are people dragged on their faces in hell apart from what their tongues produce?’“ [Related by Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah.]"