Kind words give people joy, ease grief and the courage to start again; harsh words can hurt for years. Islam gives special weight to speech that is true, needed and beneficial, and counts it as worship. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that a good word is charity. Aminur Rahman Narail, a teacher at Madrasatud Dawah, writes on the subject in Desh Rupantor.
His examples: a student who did badly in an exam, told by a teacher that effort will bring better results, may find the turning point of a life. Telling someone ruined by a business loss to trust in Allah and try again, or simply telling a grieving person that you are with them, can be a great comfort.
When correcting a mistake, he writes, the aim should be reform, not humiliation. Calling a child useless corrects nothing and wounds the child's dignity; saying that this was not right and that the child can do better carries love and hope along with the correction. A child's heart is like soft clay, and negative words from parents and teachers can shape how children see themselves.
He observes that people are often courteous to strangers yet lose that courtesy at home. A word of thanks to a mother who has run the household all day, a child's delight when a tired father comes home, or thanks and prayers between husband and wife can renew a relationship.
Gentle speech matters in calling others to good too: Allah told Musa and Harun (peace be upon them) to speak gently when sent to Pharaoh. The lesson, he writes, is to speak with respect even to those we disagree with, and to point out an error without belittling anyone.
Silence can also be better: holding one's tongue in anger, refraining from abuse, keeping another's secret. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent. A smile, a greeting of salam or a word of hope to someone in despair, the writer concludes, can all be good deeds.
Source: Desh Rupantor
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