Pearl of Wisdom: The Power of Speech in Health, Sufism, and Islamic Law
By: Djaka Suryadi, PhD*
SPEECH is a complex physiological function involving the brain’s Broca and Wernicke areas, articulatory muscles, and cognitive coordination. Modern neuroscience shows that speech therapy enhances neuroplasticity, aiding recovery in stroke and developmental disorders.
In Al-Azhar’s Sufi tradition, speech reflects the purity of the heart. Shaykh Ali Jum’ah teaches that “speech unveils the heart.” Silence is preferred unless speech brings benefit. True speech stems from dhikr and sincerity.
The Qur’an commands:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will amend for you your deeds and forgive your sins.” (Qur’an 33:70–71)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
All four Sunni schools emphasize the ethics of speech:
- Abu Hanifah: Speech must serve knowledge and da’wah.
- Malik: Speech must be cautious and informed.
- Shafi’i: “If speech is silver, silence is gold.”
- Ahmad ibn Hanbal: The tongue is a trust to be accounted for.
- Conclusion
Speech is a divine gift that must be preserved through knowledge, ethical conduct, and spiritual awareness. It is not merely a tool for communication, but also a medium of worship and a reflection of the soul’s inner state.
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*About Writer:
Djaka Suryadi, PhD
An observer of sharia law and sharia finance. He got Islamic Finance PhD from one of university in Malaysia.
In Indonesia, he is an islamic banker and working for private bank for 28 years, and also to be a lecturer of Islamic law and Islamic finance for 18 years in universities.
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