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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Taqwa (Piety) Advice of Piety And Speech ==================== The words we hear in this world are either from God, which show pure truth as found in the Holy Quran and the holy traditions, or they are the words of God’s servants, which are of two kinds; they are either from such infallible ones as the prophets and their successors, in which there is no deviation or falsehood, or they come from those who are not innocent, which might be mixed with falsehood and deviation.

For this reason, one who is not innocent should keep his words away from mischief or deviation and should observe Taqwa. We may classify what we say (our speech) as to lawful and unlawful issues, laudation, pleasantry, ordinary speech…etc. As for the lawful and unlawful subjects, man should issue or report a religious decree which is based on reality. If a person issues a religious decree without being well–versed in that area, the angels of heavens and the earth will curse him.

The messenger of Allah (SAW) has been reported by Imam Reza (AS) as saying: “Whoever gives Fatwa (religious decree) without having the knowledge, the angels of heavens and the earth will curse him.”[^1] The Holy Prophet (SAW) has also been reported as saying: “Be careful not to deny Allah.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah!

What does that mean?” The Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “When one of you says: ‘God has said it and God Almighty says: ‘you are lying, I have not said it’’, or when one of you says: ‘God has not said it, but God Almighty says: ‘you are lying, I have said it.’”[^2] As for laudation and praising of people, Imam Ali (AS) has said: “The greatest folly is the exaggeration in praising and blaming people.”[^3] As for pleasantry, it should be avoided as much as possible, for it destroys dignity, and causes worry, rancor and enmity.

As for ordinary speech, it is sometime mixed with falsehood, slander and backbiting. All these words are addressed either to God, prophets, Imams and their successors, or to people. Hence, they are sometimes correct and at other times not. They are sometimes mixed with truth and at other times mixed with falsehood. Sometimes they are harmful and at other times, they are life-giving. They are sometimes misleading and at other times guiding.

It is for the same reason that the Lord of the universe says: “O you who believe!