Hawzah News Agency - Imam Ali (peace be upon him) in Nahj al-Balagha, regarding the importance of controlling the tongue, states:

«هَانَتْ عَلَیْهِ نَفْسُهُ مَنْ أَمَّرَ عَلَیْهَا لِسَانَه.»

"Whoever makes their tongue rule over them, their personality will be degraded."

(Nahj al-Balaqah, Wisdom no. 2)

Explanation:

All the organs and faculties of a human being must serve their intellect. If any organ escapes the control and governance of the intellect, it will cause great worldly and spiritual harm to the individual.

Among a person’s organs, the one most prone to error is the tongue. If the tongue escapes the control of reason, it will leave behind extensive moral and spiritual ruins.

Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) describes the tongue in a narration as follows:

«إِنَّ لِسَانَ اِبْنِ آدَمَ یُشْرِفُ کُلَّ یَوْمٍ عَلَی جَوَارِحِهِ فَیَقُولُ کَیْفَ أَصْبَحْتُمْ فَیَقُولُونَ بِخَیْرٍ إِنْ تَرَکْتَنَا وَ یَقُولُونَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِینَا وَ یُنَاشِدُونَهُ وَ یَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا نُثَابُ بِکَ وَ نُعَاقَبُ بِکَ.»

"The human tongue approaches the organs every day and asks: 'How are you?' They respond: 'If you leave us alone, we are fine.'
And they say: 'Fear God and leave us alone,' and they swear him by God, saying, 'We are rewarded or punished only because of you.'"

(Al- Khisal, v.1, p. 5)

Thus, the warning of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) about the governance of the tongue must be taken seriously. The reins of the tongue must be handed over to the intellect and used for divine purposes. If it is used outside the path of God, it will not only harm itself but will also bring cruelty and darkness to other organs.

Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) said about this:

«لا تُکثِرُوا الکَلامَ فی غَیرِ ذِکرِ اللهِ؛ فإنَّ الَّذینَ یُکثِرُونَ الکلامَ فی غَیرِ ذِکرِ اللهِ قاسِیَةٌ قُلُوبُهُم ولکِن لا یَعلَمُونَ.»

"Do not speak excessively about anything other than the remembrance of God, for those who speak excessively about other than the remembrance of God, causes them to become hardened in their hearts, although they may not realize it."

(Al-Kafi, v.2, p. 114)

Therefore, one must take control of the tongue so that, as Imam Ali (peace be upon him) warned, regret does not become our fate.

«اِعلَمُوا اَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اَنَّهُ مَن لَم یَملِکُ لِسانَهُ، یَندَم.»

"O people! Know that whoever does not have control over their tongue will regret."

(Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 280)

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