The Power and Peril of Words

✒ Noufal Cherumukku

12 September 2026, 01 Rabi'ul Akhir 1448

The power of speech is among the greatest blessings Allah has bestowed upon human beings. Controlling the tongue is taught as a distinct act of worship in itself. The words that come from the tongue have the power to console hearts or to shatter them at the same time. The Prophetic saying, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent," conveys the message that every single word we utter must be spoken with utmost care.

The concept of "The Triple Filter Test" by the Greek philosopher Socrates is notable in this regard. He introduced three questions that we must ask ourselves before saying anything about others. It asserts that speech should be analyzed through three filters before it even begins.

The Filter of Truth:

Ensure that what you are about to say is completely true. Do not speak based merely on hearsay regarding things that are untrue or unknown to you.

The Filter of Goodness:

Analyze whether what you are about to say is something good or bad.

The Filter of Usefulness :

Examine whether what you say brings any benefit to either yourself, the speaker, or the listener. Avoid speaking that which is of no benefit.

In an era dominated by social media gossip and slanderous campaigns, such self-scrutiny greatly aids in self-control. Rather than treating proper speech merely as a matter of social etiquette, Islam teaches that it is a sign of faith (iman). First, the heart must be rectified, for the tongue is the messenger of the heart. Whatever resides within the heart is what reflects through one's speech.

Before relaying news to another, a believer must verify its truthfulness and remain mindful of the potential consequences of uttering it. When one remains vigilant that their interactions should serve to strengthen relationships rather than break them, unnecessary talk, backbiting, and arguments will naturally diminish. Backbiting is a habit that corrupts the heart. Speaking about someone in their absence regarding something they would dislike is precisely what the Qur'an strictly prohibits as Gheebah.

It nurtures arrogance and negative thoughts in the person speaking, while fostering doubt and mistrust in the listener. In the targeted individual, it causes psychological pain and broken ties, while shattering the foundation of trust within families and society at large, thereby paving the way for numerous individual, social, and familial ill effects.

Speaking only where necessary and maintaining silence elsewhere is a sign of a strong stance, not weakness. Words play an indispensable role in sustaining the foundation of family ties. Most family disputes do not stem from major issues, but rather begin from small, careless words. Never forget the Islamic teaching that the tongue is among the primary organs that lead human beings into Hellfire.