الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينة ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمداً عبده ورسوله ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه  ومن تبعه إلى يوم الدين.

Ramadan is just a day or two away and it is the month of the Quran.  In addition to reciting or listening to the whole Quran during this month, it will be quite beneficial to commit to study some of its Ayat in a rigorous manner.  May be by looking at a verse and studying it with all the other verses that discuss the same topic, you will gain better understanding on the subject of the verse.

Today, I’ll plan, inshallah, to discuss one word which is the term (كَلِمَةً۬) whose translation is word. This term, word, came in the Quran many times.   Why this term is important because every day we utter about 20,000 words.  But we often do not give a lot of attention to many of the words we say, although every word we utter is very critical because of its major impact on us and on others.   Most men generally quote the results published by Louann Brizendine of the University of California suggesting that women speak an average 20,000 words while men speak 7000.  Men like this study because it justifies their false claim that women speak too much.   But the basis of this study is questionable and a later study by Matthias Mehl from the University of Arizona found no significant difference between the number of words men and women speak per day, both speak about an average 20,000 words per day.  This mean that you speak about 20 words per minute in a 16 hr day (a person generally speaks 100 to 130 words per minute)

Therefore, it is very critical to think before you speak to minimize the number of words you utter.  In Surat Ibrahim, Allah warns us of the importance of every word that we utter as He says:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ كَلِمَةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ۬ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ۬ وَفَرۡعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ (٢٤) تُؤۡتِىٓ أُڪُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينِۭ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهَا‌ۗ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَڪَّرُونَ (٢٥إبراهیم)

“Have you not considered how Allah sets forth a parable?  A good word is as a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky. (24) It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the command of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. (Ibrahim 14:24-25)

وَمَثَلُ كَلِمَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ ٱجۡتُثَّتۡ مِن فَوۡقِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَا لَهَا مِن قَرَارٍ۬ (٢٦إبراهیم)

And the parable of a bad word is that of a bad tree uprooted from the face of the earth, it has no firm footing.” (Ibrahim 14: 26) 

Every word we utter is important, with a good word you enter Islam and with a bad word you exist out Islam.  With a good word you form a family and with a bad word you break a family.  With a good word you build the confidence in a person leading to success and with a bad word you destroy the confidence in a person leading to failure.  

It is reported that after Yazeed ibn Muawyah took over the Khalifa form his father, Imam Al-Hussain refused to give him the pledge (بيعة), so Al-Waeled the governor of Al-Madina went to Al-Hussain to secure his pledge of allegiance to Yazeed but Al-Hussain refused. Al-Walleed told Al-Hussain that all we are asking for is a word, why don’t just say (بايعت) (I gave my pledge) and you will save Muslims from the bloodshed.  It is just one word.

Al-Hussain stood and said in angry voice in a long talk, but I’ll only mention few elements of his response.  He said: Just a word, the religion of the person is a word, the honor of the person is a word.  Do you know the sanctity of the word?  The key to paradise is a word, the entrance in Hell is a word and the decree of Allah is a word. The word is light, Jesus was word.  A word can shake the tyrants. A word is the fortress of freedom.  A word is responsibility.  And you are telling just say a word.  Do you know what does a word really mean?

Each word we utter has power and this is why the Prophet (PBUH) warned us about it in many of his sayings.  In the famous hadeath that was reported by (معاذ بن جبل) Mu`adh b. Jabal, the Prophet (PBUH) mentioned to him the virtues of many good deeds, and then said: “Shall I inform you of the foundation of all of these Good deeds?”

Mu`âdh said: “Certainly.”

The Prophet (PBUH) took hold of his tongue and said: (كُفَّ عليك هذا) “Restrain yourself from this.”

Mu`âdh asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Are we held accountable for the things that we say?”  (أوَإنا مؤاخذون بما تتكلم به ألسنتنا؟)

The Prophet (PBUH) replied:

ثكلتك أمك يا معاذ ! وهل يكُبُّ الناسَ في النار على وجوههم إلا حصائدُ ألسنتهم؟).

“May your mother see you live for long time! O Mu`adh! Does anything topple people on their faces into the Hellfire except the harvest of their tongues?” [A-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mâjah]

Abu ‘Abdul-Rahman Bilal bin Al-Harith Al-Muzani (أبي عبد الرحمن بلال بن الحارث المزني) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

‏”‏إن الرجل ليتكلم بالكلمة من رضوان الله تعالى ما كان يظن أن تبلغ ما بلغت يكتب الله له بها رضوانه إلى يوم يلقاه، وإن الرجل ليتكلم بالكلمة من سخط الله ما كان يظن أن تبلغ ما بلغت يكتب الله له بها سخطه إلى يوم يلقاه”‏.‏ رواه مالك في الموطأ والترمذي وقال حديث حسن صحيح‏.

 “A man will speak a word that he does not give it much thought, but it will be pleasing to Allah and it will be written for him with great rewards that he will receive when He meets Allah.

And a man will utter a word without giving it any importance, but it will be displeasing to Allah and it will be recorded for him with the severe condemnation by Allah that he will face when he meets Allah.”  [Imam Malik and At-Tirmidhi].

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“‏إن العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة من رضوان الله تعالى ما يُلقي لها بالا يرفعه الله بها درجات، وإن العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة من سخط الله تعالى لا يُلقي لها بالا يَهوي بها في جهنم‏”‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏

“A man utters a word that is pleasing to Allah without giving it any significance, but Allah will raise him with it many ranks in paradise.

And a man speaks a word that is displeasing to Allah without giving it any consideration, but it will cause him to sink deep down into Hell.”  [Al-Bukhari].

A bad word that the person may consider trivial can cause a person to be thrown in the Hell fire.  Sayeda Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I said to the Prophet (PBUH):

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها‏:‏ قالت قلت للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حسبك من صفية كذا وكذا‏.‏ قال بعض الرواة‏:‏ تعني قصيرة، فقال‏:‏ ‏”‏لقد قلت كلمة لو مُزجت بماء البحر لمزجته‏!‏‏”‏ ‏.‏ ‏ (‏رواه أبو داود والترمذي ‏‏‏)‏‏‏

“Don’t you think that Safiyyah is short. 

The Prophet (PBUH) said:  “You have indeed uttered a word which if mixed with the water of the sea would have polluted it.” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Just describing someone that he/she is short is so evil that it can pollute the whole ocean.  Saying something that is completely true about a person can be an evil word if that person hates it.  It is considered backbiting.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “أتدرون ما الغيبة‏؟‏” قالوا‏:‏ الله ورسوله أعلم قال‏:‏ ‏”‏ذكرك أخاك بما يكره‏”‏ قيل‏:‏ أفرأيت إن كان في أخي ما أقول‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏”‏إن كان فيه ما تقول، فقد اغتبته، وإن لم يكن فيه ما تقول فقد بهته”‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.

“Do you know what is backbiting?”

The Companions said: “Allah and His Messenger know better.”

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Backbiting is talking about your brother in a manner which he dislikes.”

A companion said: “What if my brother is as I say.”

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “If he is actually as you say, then that is backbiting; but if that is not in him, that is slandering.” [Muslim].

Allah stressed in many verses the importance of using kind, polite, and friendly words when discussing an issue with someone because any bad word or any harsh tone invites Satan to interfere in the discussion to initiate conflicts.  Allah says:

 وَقُلْ لِعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُبِينًا  )الإسراء(

And say to My slaves that they should (only) say what is best. Surely, Satan sow conflict among them. Indeed, Satan is an open enemy for mankind. (Al-Isra 17:53)

Therefore, if you have nothing good to say, silence is your best friend.  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

 ‏ “‏من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فليقل خيرًا، أو ليصمت‏

 “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should say something good or remain silent.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

But if you have something good to say about a person, say it.   The Prophet (PBUH)

“The good word is charity.  (الكلمة الطيبة صدقة)‘‘ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Good words ascend to Allah as Allah says

إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلۡعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرۡفَعُهُۚ ۥ ُ (١٠)

To Him (Allah) ascend the good words, and the righteous deeds exalt it.

Unto Him mount up the goodly words; and the righteous works exalteth it.

Towards Him ascend the pure word, and the righteous deeds uplifts it. 

Unto Him good words ascend, and the pious deed doth He exalt.

Unto Him ascend all good words and the righteous deed does He exalt.

To Him mount up (all) Words of Purity: it is He Who exalts each Deed of Righteousness.  (Fatir 35:10) 

I provided several translations to show you that any translation you study only reflects the understanding of the translator and thus to get better understanding you need to study multiple translations.  The difference between the translators resulted from their differences in interpreting the meaning of one letter, it is the letter (هـ) “Hih” in the last word (يَرۡفَعُهُۚ). Some translated it as “it” and by other translated it as “He who”.  Thus some translators translated the word (يَرۡفَعُهُۚ) as “exalt it” and others translated it as (He Who exalts).  

Let us analyze this verse carefully.  The verse speaks about the good words (ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ) and the righteous deed (ٱلۡعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ).  

Regarding the good words, Allah says; “To Him good words ascend”. The structure is clear that the one to whom the good words ascend is Allah.

But when it came to the righteous deed, the verse does not have unique interpretation regarding to whom does the letter Hih in the last word (يَرۡفَعُهُۚ) refers to.

Does the “Hih” in (يَرۡفَعُهُۚ) refer to the “righteous deed” or to the “good words” or to “Allah” or to ‘the person” or to “all of them”. Let us translate the verse using all the options to see the subtlety of the different implications:

إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلۡعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرۡفَعُهُۚ ۥ ُ (١٠)

1. To Him (Allah) ascend the good words, and the righteous deed exalts (the good words). [This means that good words are not sufficient unless they are accompanied by righteous deed]
2. To Him (Allah) ascend the good words, and the righteous deed is exalted (by the good words). [This means that righteous deed must be accompanied by good words]; this is consistent with Allah commands that a kind word is more important than a charity that is followed by harmful words.

قَوۡلٌ۬ مَّعۡرُوفٌ۬ وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ۬ يَتۡبَعُهَآ أَذً۬ى‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَلِيمٌ۬ (٢٦٣

“A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by harm. Allah is Absolute, Clement.” (Al-Baqara 2:263)

3.   To Him (Allah) ascend the good words, and the righteous deed is exalted (by Allah). [This means that good words ascend to Allah by themselves, but a righteous deed requires Allah to exalt it.]

3. To Him (Allah) ascend the good words, and the righteous deed exalt (the person who is doing them). [This means that the person who utters good words and does a righteous deed is being exalted by Allah).
4. The structure of the verse can also suggest that good words need to manifest by a righteous deed and the righteous deed needs to be offered using good words and Allah is the one who exalts the deeds to raise in rank the person doing them.

Now you realize how one letter can expand the meaning of this Ayat and the last meaning is probably the most relevant because it related to the beginning of this verse that says:

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًاۚ  (١٠)

Whosoever desires honor, power, and glory then to Allah belong all honor, power and glory. (Fatir 35:10)

How do you want Allah to grant you the honor, power, and glory? It is by good words and righteous deeds.

We know that Quran does not use synonymous, and no two words will give the same meaning.  But in this verse two words are used to mean raising up, they are (يصعد و يرفع). Both terms refer to moving from lower level to higher level.  But the process of (صعود) refers to a motion from low to high without any change in rank or status.  Therefore, the verse says the good words ascends to Allah (إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ) as they are.

But the process of (رفع) refers to moving form low level to high level is status and rank and this also affirms that the meaning of the verse that when the person who does righteous deeds, Allah will raise his rank and status because of these deeds. (وَٱلۡعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرۡفَعُهُۚ)   

Another point to add on the meaning of the verse is the use of the term (ٱلۡكَلِمُ) which is translated as words, but we also have the term (كلام) which is also translated as words.  Both terms refer to uttering two or more words.  A single word is called (لفظ).  The term (كلام) refers to uttering two or more words that have useful meaning such (الله اكبر). 

On the other hand, the term (كلم) is broader because it refers to uttering two or more words that may have useful meaning or do not have useful meaning.  So, the verse says that to Allah ascends the good words independent of whether they offer useful meaning or not, as long as they are good words. 

Focusing on this relatively short verse helped us to have clear appreciation of the power of the Arabic language in providing a lot of meanings even with brevity.

Ensuring that you always use good kind words when you speak is very important.  Note the command that Allah gave to prophets Musa and Haroun on how to speak to the Pharaoh; Allah said:

ٱذۡهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ إِنَّهُ ۥ طَغَىٰ (٤٣) فَقُولَا لَهُ ۥ قَوۡلاً۬ لَّيِّنً۬ا لَّعَلَّهُ ۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوۡ يَخۡشَىٰ (٤٤)

“Go, both of you, to the Pharaoh who has indeed transgressed, and speak to him gently, perhaps he may heed or fear (Allah).” (Taha 20: 43-44)

So, there will no excuse for any of us to speak to anyone other than with kind and good words.  So, when giving advice or correcting your wife, children, or anyone else, you must always speak in gentle manner. Keep in mind that you are not more honorable than Prophets Musa and Haroun and none of the people you will ever speak to will be worse than the Pharaoh. 

If you want to advice people with what is right and warn them of what is wrong on issues of religion, you must satisfy three qualifications.   In his book “The Certified” (المعتمد), Al-Qadi Abou Yaala (القاضي أبو يعلى) the great Hanbali scholar (380- 458H) wrote:

“It is not permitted for anyone to command what is good and forbid what is evil unless he is knowledgeable about what he commands and forbids, kind to whom he commands and forbids, and wise in the way he commands and forbids.”  

Abu Hurairah (أبو هريرة) who narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say:

قال أبو هريرة سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول كان رجلان في بني إسرائيل متواخيين فكان أحدهما يذنب والآخر مجتهد في العبادة فكان لا يزال المجتهد يرى الآخر على الذنب فيقول أقصر فوجده يوما على ذنب فقال له أقصر فقال خلني وربي أبعثت علي رقيبا فقال والله لا يغفر الله لك أو لا يدخلك الله الجنة فقبض أرواحهما فاجتمعا عند رب العالمين فقال لهذا المجتهد أكنت بي عالما أو كنت على ما في يدي قادرا وقال للمذنب اذهب فادخل الجنة برحمتي وقال للآخر اذهبوا به إلى النار قال أبو هريرة والذي نفسي بيده لتكلم بكلمة أوبقت دنياه وآخرته

“There were two close friends from Bani Israel. One of them was sinner while the other was pious. Each time the pious man saw his friend committing sin he would say to him: “Refrain from sin.”’  One day the pious man saw his friend sinning and advised him to stop, the friend said to him: ‘Leave me alone to my Lord. Have you been sent as a watchman over me?’  

The pious man got upset and said to him: ‘By Allah, Allah will never forgive you nor will He admit you to Paradise.’

Then both of them died and were presented before Allah who said to the pious man: ‘Did you have knowledge of what I would do, or did you have power over that which I had in My Hand?’

Then Allah said to the sinner, ‘Go, and enter Paradise by My Mercy.’ And said to the other one, ‘Take him to Hell.’”

Abu Hurairah (أبو هريرة) said: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, he spoke a word which destroyed him in this world and the next.” [Abu Dawud]

It is important for us as Muslims that we do not designate ourselves as judges, rather we should have the compassion and love to understand the circumstances of people as we try to advise them.  

Even if you intend to say something good, you must choose the proper good word that cannot be misinterpreted by the listener and it must be said in good manners.  Regarding the proper choice of words, Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقُولُوا رَاعِنَا وَقُولُوا انْظُرْنَا وَاسْمَعُوا وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ  )البقرة(

“O you who believe, do not say “Ra ina” (give attention to us)” but say “Un Zurna” “grant us your consideration” (Al-Baqara 2:104)

In this verse, Allah directs the believers to be careful with their choice of words and avoid words that have double meanings that can be misinterpreted.  It is also important for us to know the definition of the words to ensure that we use them properly.  

Since Br. Durrani asked about Zakat, let me discuss it briefly:

1. Zakat is especially important pillar in Islam, and it is obligated on anyone who possesses more than 85 grams of gold which is $4,766.
2. The percent of the Zakat vary; it can be 2.5%, 5%, 10% or 20% depending on the nature of the asset. The 20% is for what is mined from the earth (الركاز) such as oil, gold, etc.
3. There are eight categories of the beneficiaries of zakat which Allah specified in the Qur’an in verse 60 of Surat Al-Tuba (9). Allah says:

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

“Charity is intended only for 1) the poor and 2) the needy, 3) for those who collect them, 4) for those whose hearts are being reconciled, 5) for freeing the captives and 6) those who are in debt, 7) for the cause of Allah, and for 8) the wayfarers; it is a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is the Knower, the Wise” [Al-Taubah 9: 60]. 

When you look at the 8 categories, we can classify them in 3 categories that most applicable to us and these are:

1. Poor and Needy
2. Those whose hearts are being reconciled (to support Muslims)
3. For the cause of Allah (This is broad when you consider that any money a person would spend can be for his own sake including his own family, for the sake of Allah or for the sake of Satan.)

DUA

I’ll finish with a story to remind us of the importance of knowing the circumstances of people when speaking to them.   The story of Mrs. Thompson who was a 5^th grade teacher with her student Teddy Stoddard.

While Mrs. Thompson loved all her students, she could not get herself to love one of her students named Teddy Stoddard who sat in the front row.

Teddy was unpleasant, lazy, his clothes were messy, he constantly needed a bath and didn’t play well with his classmates.  Mrs. Thompson wondered how Teddy progressed to the 5^th grade, so she decided to review his past records and she was in for a surprise.

1. Teddy’s first grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is a joy to be around.”
2. His second-grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.”
3. His third-grade teacher wrote, “His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn’t show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.”
4. Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and sometimes he sleeps in class.”

Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when the students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in bright paper with beautiful ribbons, except for Teddy’s. His present was clumsily wrapped in brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. When she opened it, some of the children started to laugh when the gift was a rhinestones bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle of perfume that was one quarter full. But Mrs. Thompson stifled the children’s laughter when she said how pretty is the bracelet, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy stayed after school that day to say, Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.” After the children left, she cried for an hour.

Mrs. Thompson started paying particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind came alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, he became one of the smartest children in the class.  Teddy continued to advance and kept contact with Mrs. Thompson until one day she received an invitation from him signed Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D. and inviting her to his wedding and asking if she might agree to sit in the place reserved for the groom’s mother.

Mrs. Thompson went to the wedding wearing the bracelet with missing rhinestones missing and the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson’s ear, “Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.”