Hadith #9551

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لِسانُكَ يَقْتَضيكَ ما عَوَّدْتَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Your tongue demands from you that which you have made it accustomed to.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the power and influence of our words and the responsibility we have over them.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word "لِسانُكَ" refers to one's tongue, which is the instrument of speech. It symbolizes our ability to communicate and express ourselves. The word "يَقْتَضيكَ" can be understood as demanding or requiring from oneself. It implies that our tongue has a certain expectation from us, and it demands that we fulfill it. Lastly, the word "عَوَّدْتَهُ" means what we have made it accustomed to. It signifies the habits and patterns we have developed in our speech.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:36),

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

This verse reminds us of the importance of being mindful of our words and actions. Our tongue is a powerful tool, and we will be held accountable for how we use it.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qalam (68:10), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse teaches us the importance of moderation and balance in our actions. It reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) understands our limitations and does not burden us beyond our capabilities.

Applying these Quranic teachings to the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can understand that our tongue demands from us what we have made it accustomed to. If we have developed the habit of speaking kind and truthful words, our tongue will demand that we continue to do so. Conversely, if we have accustomed our tongue to speak ill of others, spread rumors, or engage in dishonesty, our tongue will demand that we continue down that path.

Our words have consequences, both in this world and the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,

Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of guarding our tongues and being mindful of the impact our words can have on others. Our words can either bring people closer to Allah or push them away. They can either spread love and unity or sow discord and hatred.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we must strive to make our tongues accustomed to speaking words of truth, kindness, and wisdom. We should be mindful of the power of our words and the impact they can have on ourselves and those around us. By doing so, we can fulfill the demand of our tongues and align our speech with the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in using our tongues wisely and grant us the ability to speak words that bring benefit and blessings to ourselves and the Muslim ummah.