The Sins of the Tongue: Imam Ghazali’s Warnings and Spiritual Teachings
Sections in this guide
The 19 Sins of the Tongue According to Imam Ghazali
Imam Ghazali categorizes these sins as actions that directly corrupt the soul, defile the heart, and bring about spiritual destruction. Below are the 19 major sins of the tongue:
1. Speaking Without Purpose (Laghu):
Idle talk that brings no benefit is discouraged. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites a letter from the Quran earns ten rewards. Alif-Lam-Mim is not one letter but three.” (Tirmidhi 2910).
2. Excessive Speech:
Too much talking without remembrance of Allah hardens the heart. The Prophet ﷺ warned:
“Do not speak excessively without the remembrance of Allah, for excessive speech without dhikr hardens the heart, and the farthest of people from Allah is the one with a hard heart.”
(Tirmidhi)
3. Argumentation and Disputes (Jadal):
Excessive arguing, even if one is correct, leads to arrogance and ego inflation.
4. Backbiting (Ghibah):
Allah compares backbiting to eating the flesh of a dead brother:
“Do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it!”
(Quran 49:12)
5. Slander (Buhtan):
Spreading false accusations destroys both the slanderer and the one being accused.
6. Lying (Kidhb):
Lying is a major sin and a trait of the hypocrites. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
7. False Oaths:
Swearing falsely in Allah’s name is a grave sin, known as al-Yamin al-Ghamus (the engulfing oath), because it drowns the person in hellfire.
8. False Testimony (Shahadah al-Zur):
Giving false testimony leads to injustice and oppression.
9. Insulting Others (Shatim & Sukhriyah):
Mocking, ridiculing, and humiliating others is prohibited. The Quran warns:
“O you who believe! Let not one group of people mock another; perhaps they may be better than them.”
(Quran 49:11)
10. Cursing (La’n):
Cursing removes a person from the mercy of Allah.
11. Revealing Secrets:
Trustworthiness is a major component of faith. Revealing someone’s private matters is a betrayal.
12. False Praise:
Excessive or dishonest flattery can corrupt the soul of the praised and the praiser.
13. Hypocrisy in Speech:
Saying one thing while believing another is a trait of the hypocrites.
14. Disclosing the Faults of Others:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever covers the faults of a Muslim, Allah will cover his faults on the Day of Judgment.”
(Muslim)
15. Promising Without Intention to Fulfill:
Breaking promises is one of the traits of the hypocrites.
16. Singing Immoral Songs:
Music and lyrics that incite sinful desires are spiritually corrupting.
17. Making Fun of Others:
Ridiculing someone based on their race, lineage, or faith is condemned.
18. Complaining About Divine Decree:
Complaining excessively, rather than seeking patience, is disliked.19.
19. Spreading Corruption Through Speech:
Inciting hatred, division, and falsehood leads to chaos in society.
The Spiritual Consequences of the Sins of the Tongue
According to Unveilings, the tongue is the gateway to the heart. Each sin committed by the tongue darkens the heart, while silence and dhikr purify it. Shaykh Abdul Aziz Dabbagh emphasizes the daily accountability of the tongue:
“Wear the turban, for it increases wisdom.”
(Tabarani, 12118)
When the tongue is uncontrolled, the heart becomes polluted, leading to heedlessness (ghaflah) and spiritual decline.
How to Safeguard the Tongue, Especially in Ramadan
1. Adopt Silence (Samt):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.”
(Bukhari)
2. Engage in Dhikr:
Replace idle talk with the remembrance of Allah to purify the heart.
3. Reflect Before Speaking:
Scholars recommend the three-gate rule before speaking:
- Is it true?
- Is it necessary?
- Is it beneficial?
4. Seek Forgiveness:
If one has sinned with the tongue, immediate repentance (tawbah) is necessary.
5. Increase Quran Recitation:
Replace unnecessary talk with the recitation of the Quran to heal the heart.
Conclusion
The tongue is a double-edged sword—it can elevate a person to the ranks of the righteous or drag them into Hellfire. Imam Ghazali’s Ihya and the teachings of Unveilings both emphasize that self-control in speech is the path to purification.
As Ramadan is a training ground for self-restraint, let us use this opportunity to guard our tongues and attain closeness to Allah.
Dua:
“O Allah, grant us the ability to use our speech for good and protect us from the destructive sins of the tongue. Purify our hearts and make our words a means of drawing nearer to You. Ameen.”
This article serves as a reminder to reflect on our speech, avoid the sins of the tongue, and strive for spiritual purification, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan. May Allah grant us the strength to guard our tongues and use them only for His pleasure. Ameen.
