The Concept of a Good Word
A good word represents the affirmation of faith that there is no god but Allah, as it encompasses all righteous deeds, both visible and hidden. It is the word that brings joy to those who hear it, beneficially influencing their hearts and spirits. Good words are free from harm, do not promote wickedness, and are ultimately aimed at producing benefit, resulting in good deeds.
The Impact of a Good Word
Words can serve as a double-edged sword; when used thoughtfully, they benefit both the speaker and society, leading to positive outcomes. Conversely, misuse can cause harm to oneself and others, contributing to societal deviation and discord. The reward for a good word is substantial, and its benefits are numerous. Some of these effects include:
The Effect of a Good Word on a Person’s Faith
A good word is one of the characteristics of the believers. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, stated: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.” Therefore, those who have faith in Allah and the Last Day must embody the traits of faith, including:
- Speaking only in virtuous company; Muslims should avoid frivolous or forbidden speech, ensuring their words are beneficial for themselves and others, or opting for silence.
- Guarding the tongue from harmful speech, as narrated by Mu’adh ibn Jabal, who asked the Messenger of Allah: “O Messenger of Allah! Will we be held accountable for what we say?” The Prophet replied, “Is there anything that causes people to be cast into the Fire on their faces, except the harvests of their tongues?”
The Effect of a Good Word in Inviting to Allah
Inviting to Allah through kind words and good examples yields fruitful results among those being called. The fortunate one is the one guided by Allah to speak words of goodness, reaping rewards for themselves and those who practice these words after them. A caller to Allah should generously share knowledge, fulfilling their trust, and utilizing good words in their invitation, as commanded by Allah: “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way and He knows best who is guided.”
The Prophet Muhammad serves as a prime example; he was the best teacher, gentle by nature, and welcomed hearts with kind words. One notable incident involves Muawiyah ibn al-Hakam al-Sulami, who narrated: “While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah, a man from the congregation sneezed, and I said to him, ‘May Allah have mercy on you.’ The people turned to me with glaring eyes, so I exclaimed, ‘Woe to me! Why are you looking at me?’ The people began hitting their thighs to silence me. When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, concluded the prayer, he called me over. By my father and mother, I have never seen a better teacher before or after him. He neither struck me nor reprimanded me but said: ‘This prayer does not involve any of the statements of men; it is only takbir, glorification, and the recitation of the Quran.’ This illustrates how the invitation to goodness can be delivered through kind words without harshness, encouraging acceptance and goodwill from those being addressed.
The Effect of a Good Word on the Self
A good word can revive hearts that have been dulled by worldly concerns, infusing them with goodness, illuminating their darkness, and guiding them towards the remembrance of Allah. Its effects on the self include:
- Saving souls from the Fire and guiding them toward paths of goodness.
- Returning benefits and blessings to the speaker in this life and the Hereafter.
- A good word serves as nourishment for the soul and a remedy for spiritual maladies.
- Bringing joy to hearts and fostering warmth and happiness.
The Effect of a Good Word on Society
A good word has the power to cultivate love and strengthen bonds among people, reform communities, and alter their conditions. As Allah says: “And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel by that which is best, and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity will be as though he was a devoted friend.” A good word can turn an enemy into a friend, calming the flames of anger. Allah commands: “And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces among them animosity. Indeed, Satan is ever, to mankind, a manifested enemy.”
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, taught us to respond to ignorance with patience and good speech, forgiving the wrongdoer’s misdeeds. This fosters unity among people, reduces enmity, and reminds us that “Among people are key holders of goodness and lock holders of evil; likewise, among people are key holders of evil and lock holders of goodness.” Blessed are those whose words serve as keys to goodness.
Types of Good Words
In a sound narration from Abu Huraira, he reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “Every joint of the body of a person has a charity owed to it every day the sun rises. To reconcile between two people is charity, to assist a man with his mount or to lift his belongings is charity, a good word is charity, every step taken towards prayer is charity, and removing harmful objects from the roadway is charity.” A good word can be categorized into two types:
- What pertains to Allah, the Most High.
This includes remembrance, such as glorification, exalting Allah, supplication, and pleading with Him.
- What pertains to people.
This encompasses greeting them, treating them with respect, and exhibiting good character, as well as speaking well of them.
The Difference Between a Good Word and an Evil Word
There is a clear distinction between a good word and an evil word, as follows:
- A good word is the word of Islam.
It is a fruitful tree, deeply rooted in the earth, with branches extending towards the sky, as Allah says: “Have you not considered how Allah presents an example of a good word, like a good tree whose root is firmly fixed and whose branches are in the sky, producing its fruit all the time by permission of its Lord? And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded.” A good word has an unwavering foundation in the heart, consistently yielding good results by God’s permission. It opens the doors of goodness for the believer and closes the doors of evil.
- Conversely, an evil word is the word of polytheism.
Allah compared it to the bitter plant known as colocynth; its taste is harsh, and its root does not hold firm. It does not please those who observe it, lacking benefit. An evil word harms its bearer, brings no advantage, and adversely affects those who convey or hear it. It is akin to a disbeliever, who is unstable and directionless, shifting constantly, unable to find the truth or recognize the path to goodness, as Allah states: “And the example of an evil word is like an evil tree uprooted from the surface of the earth, having no stability.”