I said: "O Messenger of Allah! Inform me about a matter that I may hold fast to." He said:'Say: My Lord is Allah, then be steadfast.' I said: "O Messenger of Allah! What do you fear most for me?" So he took hold of his tongue and said: 'This.'"
Hadith Commentary: The Path to Spiritual Excellence
This profound narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (2410) contains two essential pillars of Islamic spirituality: correct belief coupled with steadfast action, and guarding one's speech. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provides a comprehensive roadmap for spiritual success in these concise words.
The First Pillar: Declaration and Steadfastness
"Say: My Lord is Allah, then be steadfast" establishes that mere verbal declaration of faith is insufficient without consistent adherence to its implications. Scholars explain that "My Lord is Allah" encompasses tawhid (divine unity), recognition of Allah's lordship, and submission to His commandments.
Steadfastness (istiqamah) means persisting in obedience, avoiding major sins, and maintaining consistency in worship despite changing circumstances. As Imam al-Qurtubi noted, this encompasses uprightness in both outward actions and inward states.
The Second Pillar: Guarding the Tongue
The Prophet's physical gesture of holding his tongue dramatically emphasizes its danger. Classical scholars like Imam al-Ghazali classified tongue-related sins into numerous categories including lying, backbiting, slander, vain talk, and argumentation.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali commented that the tongue is the primary gateway to both good and evil. When controlled, it leads to Paradise; when unleashed, it drags to Hellfire. The Prophet's concern reflects how easily speech can invalidate one's apparent steadfastness.
Practical Implementation
Scholars advise speaking only when beneficial, ensuring truthfulness, avoiding harmful speech, and constantly remembering that every word is recorded. As mentioned in "Chapters On Zuhd," the true ascetic (zahid) is one whose tongue is restrained from worldly vanities and focused on divine remembrance.
This hadith from Jami' at-Tirmidhi thus presents a complete spiritual methodology: correct belief manifested through consistent practice, with particular vigilance over the most treacherous instrument—the human tongue.