Editorial

Words that make or break us

Words can be sharper than swords, cutting both ways. Most of us can attest to that, having felt the sting of others’ comments or that of our own hurting the people in our lives. There are words that heal and those that wound, and sometimes, words so heartbreaking that the pain of having spoken them sends ripples across our lives. Just as broken shards of glass don’t become whole again, there is no easy way to fix a broken heart. And few can come across a greater burden than having broken another’s heart.

It may also be that the consequences of speaking our mind without a filter to help discern what is apt and what is ill-suited can catch up to us. Whether we stumble into a needless argument due to choosing our words poorly or articulate every word of a speech precisely and eloquently only to regret it for its ramifications, the fact remains that one of the sharpest tools in our shed rests on the tip of the softest piece of flesh. Having an acute awareness of what our actions hold for us, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) warns us concisely but with piercing clarity:

“Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good, or keep silent.” This hadith is a particularly resounding reminder for us. It lets us know, in no uncertain terms, that every word we utter and every thought we let out into the world has consequences. For reasons obvious to anyone who has experience with the results of speaking irresponsibly, humanity is inconceivably richer for this divinely-inspired wisdom flowing from his heart and filtering into our lives.

Concurrent with the wisdom imparted by the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), one of the great Muslim thinkers once said, “You are the master of what you say until you utter it. Once you deliver it, you are its captive,” marking yet another crucial aspect of the nature of human speech. So, we either watch our words or watch them back us into a corner of our own making.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Muslims on a blessed Eid al-Fitr, and pray that after a month of fasting, we have drawn closer to the all-important goal of pleasing Allah with our deeds and intentions. Let us remember the hadith: “Whoever spends the nights of the two Eids in praying voluntary prayers, seeking reward from Allah, his heart will not die on the Day when hearts will die.” I hope to see you in the June issue inshallah.

M. Galip Dönmez