Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.), the fourth caliph of Islam, is deeply revered by Shia Muslims. Imam Ali’s wisdom is legendary, and his sayings (hadith) cover a vast array of subjects. One such subject is the tongue, its significance, and the caution one should exercise while speaking to avoid hurting people.
Hazrat Ali Quotes on Tongue
Here are some profound sayings by Imam Ali (A.S.) on the matter of the tongue:
- “He who does not have forbearance, has nothing. The tongue is a beast; if let loose, it devours.”
- “The tongue of a wise man lies behind his heart.”
- “Your remedy is within you, but you do not sense it. Your sickness is from you, but you do not perceive it. You presume you are a small entity, but within you is enfolded the entire universe. You are indeed the evident book, by whose alphabet the hidden becomes manifest. Therefore, you have no need to look beyond yourself. What you seek is within you, if only you reflect.”
- “Speak only when you know your words are better than your silence.”
- “The most complete gift of God is a life based on knowledge. The ignorant man is dead. The wise tongue does not speak unnecessarily.”
- “The tongue is very small and light but it can take you to the greatest heights and it can put you in the lowest depths.”
- “He who reflects will find that the noblest and most beneficial limb in his body is his tongue, as long as he safeguards it.”
- “Silence is the best reply to a fool. Your tongue is a lion. If you let it loose, it will wound someone.”
- “He who talks too much makes the most mistakes.”
- “The worst of our faults is our interest in other people’s faults.”
- “One who does not control his tongue saves himself from many troubles.”
- “Protect this tongue as you would protect gold and silver.”
- “The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.”
- “When a man’s tongue starts to act on every single thing he hears, it leads him to wrongdoing.”
- “Do not be a slave to your tongue and let the people be safe from your hands.”
- “Many a man has been led astray by his tongue than by his actions.”
- “Avoid speaking ill, so you may not hear it.”
- “A fool’s mind is at the mercy of his tongue and a wise man’s tongue is under the control of his mind.”
- “A silent tongue and a kind heart are the most attractive traits of a believer.”
- “The wounds of the sword may heal, but the wounds of the tongue do not.”
Conclusion
The tongue, though small, wields great power. Imam Ali (A.S.) astutely captures the profound influence our words can have on ourselves and those around us. These quotes not only warn against the potential pitfalls of unbridled speech but also encourage introspection, wisdom, and restraint. In an age where words are increasingly wielded like weapons, the teachings of Imam Ali (A.S.) serve as a timeless reminder of the responsibility each of us holds when we choose to speak.
