Hadith #9567

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the immense power and influence of the tongue on the human heart. He states,

Nothing attracts the heart of a human being more than a [sweet and eloquent] tongue, and none beguiles the soul more than Satan.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings and implications of this statement in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (ajlab) "أجْلَبَ" means to attract or captivate, while (liqalb al-insan) "لِقَلْبِ الإنْسانِ" refers to the heart of a human being. The word (lisān) "لِسان" means tongue, and (akhda'a) "أخْدَعَ" means to beguile or deceive. Lastly, (lin-nafs) "لِلنَّفْسِ" refers to the soul, and (shaytan) "شَيْطان" denotes Satan.

To understand the significance of the tongue in attracting the heart, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nahl (16:125),

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.

This verse emphasizes the importance of using eloquence and wisdom in conveying the message of Islam. A well-spoken and persuasive tongue has the ability to touch the hearts of people and draw them towards the truth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:55), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, 'For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant.'

This verse highlights the impact of negative and hurtful speech on the hearts of believers. It reminds us to be cautious of the words we use, as they can repel others and create animosity.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the deceptive nature of Satan. The devil has a profound ability to beguile and mislead individuals, often using their own desires and weaknesses against them. In Surah Al-Isra (17:64), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes Satan's tactics, saying,

And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the dangers of falling into Satan's traps, particularly through the manipulation of our desires and the deceptive allure of his words. It is crucial for Muslims to be vigilant and seek refuge in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) from the whispers of Satan.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize the immense responsibility we have as Muslims to use our tongues wisely and to be cautious of the words we speak. Our words have the power to either attract or repel others, to guide or mislead. We must strive to emulate the eloquence and wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), using our speech to spread goodness, knowledge, and compassion.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to control our tongues and protect our hearts from the beguilement of Satan. May He guide us to use our words in a manner that pleases Him and benefits humanity. And may we always seek refuge in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) from the whispers of Satan.