Isn’t it funny how easily people label each other under different cathegories, just from single aquintance? Often early judgment based on brief and unprecised observation, stones in mind and is difficult to be altered. Prejudices and stereotypes are wicket traps of human’s mind, that influence and form one’s convictions most. Just a thought, but it reminds me of one old japanese saying:

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Good advice, especially as it is difficult to hold own tongue or not letting oneself backbiting and gossiping.

Allah says:

“Not a word does one utter, except that there is an (angel) Watching, Ready to record it.”
[Surah Qaaf: 18]


Abu Hurairah (RA) reported words of Prophet (SAWS):

‘Whosoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, then let him speak good or remain silent.’

[Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree]


Abu Moosaa Al-Ash’aree (RA) said:

“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah Which of the Muslims is best?’ He (SAWS) said:
‘He whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe from.”’
[Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]


Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that he heard the Prophet (SAWS) said:

‘Indeed, the servant will speak a word, while being unaware of (its consequences), and due to it, he will be cast into the Hellfire, farther than the distance between the east and the west.’
[Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]


It is important aways to consider whether words one is about to say, are good or not.

Sufyaan Ibn ‘Abdillaah (ra) reported that prophet said:

‘O Messenger of Allaah (SAWS) , tell me of a matter that I may cling tightly onto.’ He (SAWS) said: ‘Say: I believe in Allaah and then remain steadfast (upon that).’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah (SAWS) , what is the most serious thing that I should fear for myself?’ So he (SAWS) took a hold of his tongue and said: ‘This.”
[An authentic hadeeth reported by At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah and others]

‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Aamir (ra) reported:

‘I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) , how does one attain salvation?’ He said: ‘Restrain your tongue, remain in your home and weep over your sins.”
[An authentic hadeeth reported by Ibn Al-Mubaarak in Az-Zuhd and it has support in Ahmad]

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (ra) reported that the Prophet (SAWS) said:

“When the Son of Adam wakes from his sleep, all of his body parts seek refuge from his tongue, saying: ‘Fear Allaah with regard to us, for indeed we are part of you. So if you are correct, then we will be correct and if you are corrupted, then we shall be corrupted.”
[A hasan hadeeth reported by At-Tirmidhee and others]

“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” translated into japanese as “mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru”, is the simplest and most understandable etic rule…so why is it so difficult for some, holding on to it.