🌙 Introduction: Fasting Can Be Lost Through Words
Controlling the Tongue: Ramadan is a month of immense reward, but it is also a month where rewards can be silently lost. Many people protect their fast from food and drink, yet unknowingly damage it through careless words.
Islam teaches that fasting is not only about hunger—it is about disciplining the tongue, the heart, and the character. A single sentence spoken in anger, gossip, or arrogance can reduce the spiritual value of an entire day of fasting.
During the Ashra of Mercy, controlling the tongue is one of the most powerful ways to protect your fast and attract Allah’s compassion.
🌿 Why the Tongue Matters So Much in Islam
The tongue is small, but its impact is enormous. Islam gives great importance to speech because:
- words reflect the heart
- speech shapes character
- the tongue can earn reward or punishment
Many sins are committed not by actions, but by speech—often without realizing their seriousness.
Ramadan exposes this weakness so it can be corrected.
🌙 Fasting Is More Than Abstaining From Food
The Prophet ﷺ clearly warned that fasting is not only physical.
Some people fast but gain nothing except hunger and thirst. This happens when the fast is accompanied by:
- lying
- backbiting
- arguments
- insults
- harsh speech
Such fasting exhausts the body but fails to purify the soul.
🌿 Common Tongue Sins That Damage the Fast
1️⃣ Backbiting (Gheebah)
Speaking about someone behind their back—even if true—damages the reward of fasting.
2️⃣ Lying
False speech weakens sincerity and contradicts the purpose of fasting.
3️⃣ Arguments and Anger
Ramadan is not a time to win arguments. It is a time to win hearts.
4️⃣ Sarcasm and Mockery
Words that belittle others harden the heart and reduce mercy.
5️⃣ Complaining Excessively
Constant complaints reflect impatience and ingratitude.
🌙 Why Controlling the Tongue Is Harder While Fasting
Fasting lowers physical strength, which can:
- increase irritability
- reduce patience
- make emotions surface
This is part of the test. Ramadan reveals weaknesses so they can be healed—not ignored.
The hunger of fasting is meant to teach self-restraint, not justify bad behavior.
🌿 The Reward of Silence During Fasting
Islam encourages controlled speech, not complete silence.
Remaining quiet when angry:
- protects the fast
- earns reward
- attracts Allah’s mercy
- strengthens patience
Silence, when chosen for Allah, becomes worship.
🌙 Practical Ways to Control the Tongue While Fasting
1️⃣ Pause Before Speaking
Ask yourself:
- Is this necessary?
- Is this kind?
- Will this please Allah?
If not, silence is safer.
2️⃣ Replace Bad Speech With Dhikr
When tempted to speak unnecessarily:
- remember Allah
- say words of praise
- make quiet dua
Dhikr protects the tongue naturally.
3️⃣ Walk Away From Arguments
Islam teaches that avoiding arguments is a sign of strength, not weakness—especially while fasting.
4️⃣ Keep Company That Encourages Good Speech
Positive environments reduce negative speech.
🌿 Controlling the Tongue Invites Allah’s Mercy
The Ashra of Mercy emphasizes kindness, patience, and compassion.
A believer who controls their tongue:
- shows humility
- respects others
- reflects mercy in behavior
Allah’s mercy descends upon those who show mercy through words.
🌙 How Controlling the Tongue Improves Character
Ramadan is character training.
When the tongue is controlled:
- anger decreases
- relationships improve
- the heart softens
- sincerity increases
This is one of the clearest signs of a successful fast.
🌿 Common Mistakes People Make
Some people think:
- “Everyone backbites; it’s normal”
- “I’m fasting, so I’m allowed to be angry”
- “Words don’t matter as much as actions”
Islam corrects this thinking. Words are actions—and they are recorded.
Controlling the Tongue After Ramadan
The true success of Ramadan is not limited to the month itself.
Ask yourself:
- Will I speak more carefully after Ramadan?
- Will I avoid harmful speech year-round?
A Ramadan that changes speech changes life.
🌟 Conclusion: Protect Your Fast by Guarding Your Tongue
Fasting is a trust, and the tongue is one of its greatest tests.
Those who guard their tongues:
- protect their reward
- attract Allah’s mercy
- experience inner peace
- grow spiritually
As we move through the Ashra of Mercy, let us remember that one kind word can elevate a fast, and one careless word can weaken it.
May Allah purify our tongues, accept our fasting, increase our patience, and make our words a source of mercy for ourselves and others.
Ameen 🤍