FRIDAY SERMON 19 Syawal 1435H / 15 August 2014 THE HARMS OF THE TONGUE USTAZ IBRAHIM KHALIL BIN ABDULLAH Imam MASJID SULTAN ISMAIL UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
Dear Muslim brothers, I would like to remind everyone, let us strengthen our devotion to Him by abide His order and leave all evil. Hopefully on this blessed day, we will succeed in this world and the hereafter.
The topic of the Sermon today is: "The Harms of the Tongue".
Dear Brothers, Humans are being blessed with a complete body parts. Surely this blessing has its value and must be nourished.
For example, when communicating, whether through mass media, print media, the internet, or through open talk, the biggest blessing is the tongue, where people can talk and us it as a communication tool.
At times we tend to forget the limits that our religion that Allah has set and sins that we would commit slander and what is worst, there are those who create false news, false documents and spread through the internet and social media solely to achieve victory.
I would like to remind all Muslims who fears Allah and the Hereafter, we shall maintain our character and manners.
Remember, our intention cannot be justified by the means as Allah says in Surah al Hujurat verse 11:
Which means: 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.
In pursuing a better life, I would like to point on a few important principles that a Muslim should have like:
First: Do not communicate by means of lowering and berate others, because Allah knows who is better between us.
Second: Do not disclose someone s shame or dishonour them in the name of the truth, because this is not what Islam promotes, moreover it angers Allah those who like to expose others fault.
Rasulullah SAW said: Which means: "One who covers up the shortcoming of a person in this world, will have his shortcomings covered by Allah on the Day of Judgment." (Narrated by Muslim)
Third: Do not give call out bad names to someone, especially among Muslims, because it can lead to sin and wickedness.
Fourth: Keep away from thinking bad about others because it brings sin, if we receive any news, let it be reviewed in advance of authenticity. Do not be the agent of defamation and false news to the community.
Fifth: Do not seek and find fault in others. Remember, Islam commands us to prevent evil along with doing good.
And sixth: Keep awareness of our words and speech so as not to cause anger to others.
I would like to remind you that we are responsible upon our speech in this world as it will be presented in the next. Allah says in Surah al Kahf verse 49:
Which means: And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one.
One day a man came to the Prophet and said: "O Messenger of Allah! This person is known for his prayer, fasting and charity but he too is known for talking bad about his neighbours. "Then the Prophet said to him, "Verily, he belongs to the people of Hellfire."
Then the man said, is this other person who is known for his few prayers, fasting and charity, but he never hurt his neighbour. Then the Prophet said: He is from the people of Paradise. (Narrated by Muslim)
This hadith teaches us the dangers of the tongue that could plunge us into hell.
Remember, even if a person is a steadfast worshiper, that performs a large amount of prayer and fasting, but if he is unable to keep his tongue away from slander, lying, berate, certainly it will destroy his deeds.
Think about it, how can a person is regarded as a scholar or leader if he talks of slander, calumny and curses from his lips?
Dear Brothers, Remember that among all the body parts, our tongue causes the most offenses that involves other people.
Why is it that the tongue causes the most offense and sin? That is the question we need to ask ourselves today.
Imam al Ghazali said: Through the tongue will erupt lies or deception, suspicion, hostility, slander, swearing, insults, cursing, argue, gossip, curse and talk about something offensive, rough and full of ignorance.
Then Imam al Ghazali continued: "Faith and disbelief of a person has no clarity other than the testimony of the tongue.
The tongue has great devotion and can also sin greatly. The tongue has the most ability to betray his owner. Indeed, the tongue is the devil s device to create resentment among each other.
From what Imam al Ghazali said, it clearly shows us the important role of the tongue in human life as the tongue can either be the reason to Paradise or to Hell.
Believe me, to live in a prosperous and peaceful environment, we must be careful of what we say.
Let what came out of our mouth truthful and mannered words. To not be aware of our tongue will not only angered those who hear, but also lead to bad implications in human relations.
I would like to emphasize this: Let us use our tongue to say something good and truthful and not in vain or better yet, keep quiet because that is more beneficial than saying things that would lead to sins.
The believer, do not talk about useless and no beneficial things as the Prophet said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgement, let him say good or be quiet." (Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari and Muslim).
Imagine, what will happen to Islam and our beloved country if the practice of libel and invective becomes the main medium for communication?
Dear Muslims, To conclude the sermon this week, I would like to remind you that the society and country aspect shall be based on the value of morals and a civilized culture.
Think, how many of us will always reflect upon our own speech? Remember, all our deeds will be counted and everything depends on the scales of justice that has been determined by Allah.
O dear Muslims, our every movement and speech has always been monitored by two angels; Raqib and Atid.
Avoid falling into sins like accusing others, spreading rumours, telling lies and prejudice. Some of what we say would be held accountable on the Day of Judgement.
Only words that Allah blessed will be recorded, while the words that bring into hatred will be recorded with His wrath until doomsday.
Remember, the value of this world is not more than a wing of a mosquito, the strength of this world is not more than the web of a spider.
Remember, the world we are living today will not last forever. The Hereafter will be our eternal home.
Let us reflect on the words of Allah SWT in Surah al Zalzalah verses 7 and 8:
Which means: So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.
ب ار ك الله ل ى و ل ك م ف ى الق ر ء ا ن الع ظ ی م و ن ف ع ن ى و إ ی اك م ب م ا ف ی ھ م ن الا ی ا ت و الذ ك ر الح ك ی م و ت ق ب ل م ن ى و م ن ك م ت لا و ت ھ إ ن ھ ھ و ال سم ی ع الع ل ی م أ ق و ل ق و ل ى ھ ذ ا و أ س ت غ ف ر الله الع ظ ی م ل ى و ل ك م و ل س اي ر الم س ل م ی ن و الم س ل م ات و الم ؤ م ن ی ن و الم ؤ م ن ات ف اس ت غ ف ر وه ف ی ا ف و ز الم س ت غ ف ر ی ن و ی ا ن ج اة الت اي ب ی ن.
O servant of Allah, remember that this world is a place for temporary lodging. Truly, hereafter is the everlasting and permanent abode. So let us devote to Allah for obtaining happiness and escape from the punishment of hellfire.
Allah says in Surah Al Ahzab verse 56:
Which means: Indeed Allah confers blessing upon the prophet and His angels (ask Him to do so). O! You who have believed, ask Allah to confer blessing upon him and ask Allah to grant him peace.
Let us pray that may Allah SWT be please with the khalifahs of Rasulullah s.a.w i.e Sayyidina Abu Bakr al Siddiq r.a., Sayyidina Umar al Khattab r.a., Sayyinda Uthman ibn Affan r.a., Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi Thalib r.a.
And to his companions who struggle to uphold the religion of Allah, also to his uncles Sayyidina Hamzah and Sayyidina Abbas r.a. and to his granchildren Sayyidina Hassan and Sayyidina Hussain r.a., his daughters Sayyidatina Fatimah al Zahraa, his wives Sayyidatina Khadijah and Sayyidatina Aisyah r.a. and the other wives. Followed by his family, companions, followers of the companions and those who come after them from time to time until the end of the world.
O Allah, forgive all Muslims and believers, whether surviving or deceased. O Allah, grant us glory and prosperity to those who fight and spendtheirwealthinyourwaysuchasthose who pay zakat, waqaf etc.
Ya Allah, bestow your guidance and help to the leaders and kings of the Muslim countries especially to Abdaka Al Harith Lishariatika Al Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Al Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan and ruler for the State of Johor Darul Takzim.
And to Raja Zarith Sofea Binti Al Marhum Sultan Idris Shah, Tengku Ismail Ibn Sultan Ibrahim, Pemangku Raja Johor and, the Prince and Princess, the royal kinship, and all Muslims.