Question
What is the authenticity, Arabic text and the complete translation of this Hadith?
“Verily a person utters a word, that he deems harmless, but it results in his falling into the depths of Hellfire.”
Answer
This Hadith is recorded in Sahih Bukhari. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A person may utter a word which pleases Allah without giving it much importance/consideration through which Allah will raise his ranks and sometimes a person may utter a word which displeases Allah without thinking of its [gravity] and because of that he will be thrown into Jahannam.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6478. See a similar Hadith here)
Explanation
This Hadith explains the importance of guarding one’s tongue. Sometimes a person utters something without giving it much thought/regard and this could be a cause of his eternal bliss or destruction. The Muhaddithun explain that among the statements that could cause a person to be cast into the depths of Jahannam are:
- Inciting an unjust ruler to attack Muslims
- Trying to appease a leader/person by saying things that displease Allah
- Using obscene words and vulgarities
- Attacking a Muslims honour or accusing him of a major sin
- Mocking some right of Nubuwwah or Shari’ah
And among the deeds that could raise a person’s rank without him even giving much thought to/regard for are:
- Words uttered to ward off some oppression from a Muslim
- Words to assist in alleviating a difficulty from a Muslim
- Words of [comfort/support] to an oppressed person
(Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6477-6478, Mirqat, Hadith: 4813)
Arabic text of the Hadith
إن العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة من رضوان الله، لا يلقي لها بالا، يرفعه الله بها درجات، وإن العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة من سخط الله، لا يلقي لها بالا، يهوي بها في جهنم
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar