Living the Right Way
Fair Speech
Religion recommends fair speech and prohibits abuse. Abuse is a vice that causes hatred.
Allah the Most High said: “And you shall speak to men good words.”
He also said: “Kind speech and forgiveness is better than charity followed by injury; and Allah is self-sufficient, forbearing. O you, who believe! Do not make your charity worthless by reproach and injury.”
He also said: “And do not give away your property, which Allah has made for you a (means of) support, to the weak of understanding, and maintain them out of (the profits of) it, and clothe them and speak to them words of honest advice.”
He also said: “And when there are present at the apportionment relatives and the orphans and the needy, give them (something) out of it and speak to them kind words.”
He also said: “And let those fear who, should they leave behind them weakly offspring, would fear on their account; so let them be careful of (their duty to) Allah, and let them speak right words.”
He also said: “And say to My servants (that) they speak that which is best; surely Satan sows dissension among them; surely Satan is an enemy to man.”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) said: “Surely of the most wicked people are those whom others hate because of their abuse.”
He (S) also said: “Surely Allah abhors those who are impudent and abusive.”
He (S) also said: “He whose tongue people hate will go to hell.”
He (S) also said: “The most wicked is he whom people respect for fear of his ill-treatment and to remain safe from the harm of his abuse.”
He (S) also said: “The worst of people with Allah on the Day of Judgement are those whom people honour for fear of their wickedness.”
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said: “Tell people the best of what you expect them to tell you.”
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “My followers, be an ornament for us, and do not be a shame on us; tell people good words; guard your tongues and keep them back from idle talk and evil words.”
He (a.s.) also said: “Fear Allah and keep your tongues except from fair speech.”
He (a.s.) also said: “Surely impudence, abuse and shrewdness are of the signs of hypocrisy.”
He (a.s.) also said: “Surely the most hated man with Allah is he whose tongue people fear.”