Central Khutbah: “And Speak Good Words to People”

Words are one of the simplest means available to a human being, yet they are also among the most powerful. A word can calm a heart, restore hope, mend a relationship, reconcile those who are in conflict, and open the way to goodness. But, just as easily, one thoughtless word can hurt someone, fuel hostility, and leave a wound that is remembered for a long time.

That is why Islam does not regard our attitude toward speech as an insignificant detail of good character (akhlaq), but as an integral part of a person’s faith.

Allah, the Most High, speaking about the covenant He took from the Children of Israel, says:

“And when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel: Worship none but Allah; and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy; speak good words to people…”
(Al-Baqarah, 83)

It is particularly noteworthy that Allah did not say that we should speak kindly only to our parents, friends, righteous people, or those who share our opinions. The command is universal: “speak good words to people.”

‘Ata ibn Abi Rabah understood this verse precisely as a command to treat all people with kindness. (At-Tabari, Jami‘ al-Bayan)

A person may not have wealth with which to help someone, nor a position through which they can ease another person’s need, but almost everyone can offer a kind word, a gentle response, sincere advice, a greeting, a smile, or a word of encouragement. This is why speaking well is one of the most accessible forms of kindness.

As-Sa‘di explains that good speech includes teaching beneficial knowledge, encouraging what is good, discouraging what is wrong, offering greetings of peace, showing cheerfulness when meeting others, and every form of speech that brings benefit to people. It also includes refraining from ugly, offensive, and indecent speech. (As-Sa‘di, Taysir al-Karim ar-Rahman)

Islam calls us to use the best manner of speaking even when there is profound disagreement.

Allah, the Most High, says:

“And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in the best manner.”
(Al-‘Ankabut, 46)

And when He sent Moses and Aaron, peace be upon them, to one of the greatest tyrants in history, Pharaoh, Allah said to them:

“Speak to him with gentle words, perhaps he may take heed or fear.”
(Ta-Ha, 44)

Imam Al-Qurtubi, commenting on this meaning, points to an important lesson: the person who advises someone today is not better than Moses and Aaron, and the person being addressed is not worse than Pharaoh. If they were commanded to speak gently to Pharaoh, then it is even more appropriate for us to treat other people with dignity and kindness. (Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami‘ li-Ahkam al-Qur’an)

Gentleness, however, does not mean abandoning the truth. A person can be clear, principled, and firm while remaining respectful and just. One can reject someone’s mistaken position without humiliating the person who holds it. One can advise without insulting, warn without harshness, and defend the truth without losing one’s good character.

That is why Al-Qurtubi states that people should be addressed with good words and a cheerful face, whether they are righteous or sinful, while making sure that such good treatment is not understood as approval of their wrongdoing. (Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami‘ li-Ahkam al-Qur’an)

A good word is not merely one that sounds pleasant. It must be good both in its form and in its meaning. Something may be true, yet expressed in a humiliating and harsh manner. A believer is called upon to convey the truth in the best possible way.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin emphasizes that good speech should have two qualities: the manner in which it is spoken should be gentle and beautiful, and its content should be beneficial and good. (Ibn ‘Uthaymin, Tafsir al-Fatihah wa al-Baqarah)

Allah, the Most High, compares a good word to a good tree:

“Have you not considered how Allah sets forth the example of a good word, like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches are in the sky? It produces its fruit at all times by permission of its Lord.”
(Ibrahim, 24–25)

Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, considered this verse to refer primarily to the words “La ilaha illa Allah” — “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.” (At-Tabari, Jami‘ al-Bayan)

It is the most beautiful of words because it connects a person with their Lord. However, the Qur’anic example also points to the nature of every good word: its benefit does not necessarily end at the moment it is spoken. A kind word can remain in a person’s heart for years. It may encourage someone to repent, give them strength during hardship, restore their hope, or save them from making a bad decision.

That is why Allah, the Most High, says:

“And who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, does righteousness, and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims’?”
(Fussilat, 33)

Calling people to Allah is not only about what a person says, but also about how they say it. The most beautiful message deserves to be conveyed in the most beautiful manner.

Allah also says:

“Tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces discord among them.”
(Al-Isra, 53)

This verse reveals an important reality about human relationships: many major conflicts begin with a few words. One harsh sentence provokes another, which provokes a third, and what was initially a minor disagreement can turn into hostility.

That is why Allah does not merely ask us to say what is “good”, but what is “best.”

As-Sa‘di states that this principle includes every form of speech through which a person draws closer to Allah: remembrance of Allah (dhikr), recitation of the Qur’an, beneficial knowledge, encouraging good, discouraging evil, as well as speaking kindly to people regardless of their position or status. When there is a choice between two good ways of speaking, one should choose the better and more complete one. (As-Sa‘di, Taysir al-Karim ar-Rahman)

The value of good speech is also mentioned in the description of the inhabitants of Paradise:

“They were guided to good speech and they were guided to the path of the One who is worthy of all praise.”
(Al-Hajj, 24)

The exegetes understood “good speech” to include the testimony of faith (shahadah), the Qur’an, encouraging what is good, and every form of speech that leads to Allah’s pleasure. (Al-Baghawi, Ma‘alim at-Tanzil; Ibn al-Jawzi, Zad al-Masir)

In another verse, Allah, the Most High, says:

“To Him ascends good speech, and righteous deeds elevate it.”
(Fatir, 10)

The exegetes understood “good speech” to include the shahadah, remembrance of Allah, supplication, recitation of the Qur’an, beneficial knowledge, and, generally, every good and beneficial form of speech. (Ibn Juzayy, At-Tashil li ‘Ulum at-Tanzil; As-Sa‘di, Taysir al-Karim ar-Rahman)

The Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, also teaches the Muslim to be a source of hope rather than pessimism.

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, liked good omens. When he was asked what they were, he replied:

“A good word.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

A kind word can motivate a person. It can restore their determination when they have lost hope. This is why the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, loved optimism and words that inspire people to expect good. (Ibn ‘Uthaymin, Sharh Riyad as-Salihin)

Even more striking is the fact that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, counted a good word among the forms of charity.

He said:

“Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date; and whoever cannot find even that, then with a good word.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Someone may be poor and have nothing material to give, but the doors of kindness are not closed to them because of that. They can make someone happy, comfort them, thank them, greet them, make du‘a for them, or offer them a sincere word of support.

Al-Qari explains that a person can draw closer to Allah through good speech even when they are unable to provide material assistance, because bringing joy to another person’s heart is itself a form of goodness. (‘Ali Al-Qari, Mirqat al-Mafatih)

That is why the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said simply and clearly:

“A good word is charity.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Not every charity is given by the hand. Some forms of charity come from the tongue, yet they go directly into someone’s heart.

There is, however, a time when silence is more valuable than speech.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This is one of the most important principles concerning the tongue: before we say something, we should ask ourselves whether there is any good in those words. If there is not, silence is safer.

A person is in control of their words before they utter them. Once a word has been spoken, they can no longer take it back. They may apologize or explain what they meant, but the mark left by a word can sometimes remain far longer than we expect. (Ibn ‘Uthaymin, Sharh al-Arba‘in an-Nawawiyyah)

Especially today, words are no longer spoken only face to face. They are sent through messages, written in comments, and posted publicly where thousands of people may read them. The responsibility we bear for our words has therefore become even greater. Sometimes a person writes in a few seconds something they will regret for years.

The believer therefore does not ask only:

“Is what I am saying true?”

They also ask:

“Is it necessary for me to say this? Is this the right time? Is there a better way to say it? Will my words improve the situation, or will they only make it worse?”

Greatness does not consist in responding to every harshness with even greater harshness. Sometimes the greatest strength is precisely to remain gentle when the other person has lost their gentleness, to remain just when we have been hurt, and to preserve our good character when someone is trying to provoke us.

A good word costs nothing, yet its value with Allah can be immense.

Perhaps you will not be able to solve someone’s problem, but you can make their day easier. Perhaps you will not be able to remove their worries, but you can restore their hope. Perhaps you will have nothing material to give, but you can always be mindful of what you say.

And when you have no good word to offer, silence is better.

One of the signs of good character is therefore that people feel safe from our tongues, and that they sense respect, gentleness, and goodness in our words.

For a word may be nothing more than a few sounds that disappear in an instant — yet the mark it leaves in someone’s heart may remain for a lifetime.

(Central khutbah by the Muslim Religious Leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on August 7, 2026, at the “Centre Islamique au Luxembourg” in Contern)