This is one of the most dangerous problems afflicting human psyche but quite often underestimated by many people. Sadly too many Muslims are carriers of this disease. Empty talk includes all futile and worthless words or actions. It also includes every ugly word or action such as cursing or listening to obscene songs. Every word that adds nothing to you and/or is repugnant to the sense of honour is empty in the least.
Manifestation
Empty talk is manifested in varying ways depending on the individual.
1. Raising the voice in song and also listening to songs.
2. Talking a lot without reason or justification and using ugly words to express an idea.
3. Practising illegal games, like gambling and other forbidden games.
4. Practising unrestricted joking that contradicts the manners of the shariah comes under empty talk for the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to joke but without ever saying something false. Also joking a lot, even within the permissible manners of the Islamic Law, is considered to be empty talk as well.
5. Accompanying people whose main concern are futile subjects and joining them in their false speech.
6. Swearing upon something without reason or justification, even if it is true, or logical.
7. Interfering in other peoples affairs, and involving oneself in something useless and unavailing.
8. Mocking, slandering and ridiculing people, and other such sins.
Allaah has dispraised all the manifestations of empty talk; for He made abandoning empty talkand its people a quality of the believers. He says, "Successful indeed are the believers. Those who humble themselves in their prayers; who avoid vain talk." (Q[Muminun]: 1-3)
Allaah also says: "Those who witness no falsehood and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable (avoidance)." (Q25[Furqan]: 72).
This means that if they passed by people who like vain talk, they would turn away from them, feeling themselves too dignified to stand or even deal with such people.
Causes
Following are some of the causes of indulging in empty talk:
Environment
If ones surroundings are always inclined to pleasures and vain pursuits then the youth in particular will be adversely affected. On the other hand, if ones environment is far from vain talk and activities, then virtue and piety will be ingrained in the youth, and all concerned.
Being unaware of ones mission on earth
If man is unaware of his mission and role on earth, his soul will be devoid of any truth, and when the soul is devoid of truth, it will be filled with falsehood, which inculcates vain speech and action.
Lack of Piety
It is so clear that if one does not believe that Allaah is with him (with His Knowledge) at all times and circumstances, hearing him, seeing him and knowing what he is doing; or if his sense of consciousness of Allaah is weakened, then he will inevitably commit many sins and vices, and this is exactly what empty talk means.
Forgetting The Day Of Judgement And Retribution
Forgetting the Day of Judgement and Retribution could be among the reasons that cause one to fall into empty talk. This is because if one forgets that his deeds are recorded, that he will return to Allaah, and that he will be penalized for his bad deeds and rewarded for his good deeds, he will find himself bold enough to sink into the pit of empty talk.
Following Ones Vain Desires
If man were to follow his own desires without seeking divine guidance, he would be tempted by the devils from among the human beings and the Jinns to practice empty talk. Then his soul would constantly inspire him to evil and lure him into more and more vanity and emptiness. Allaah says: "And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, devoid of guidance from Allah? For Allah guides not people given to wrongdoing." (Al-Qasas: 50)
Neglecting Self-evaluation
Self-evaluation IS necessary and should be done continually. One must examine his deeds daily, so that if he finds them good, he will thank Allaah; and if he finds them otherwise, he will repent and return to Allaah.
Effects
This evil practice has serious I consequences and destructive effects both on individuals and on the society. Following are some of these effects: .
Hardness Of The Heart
Empty talk is considered to be a sin, and whenever the servant commits a sin, part of his heart blackens until the whole heart becomes black.
Wasting Time And Energy
The one who engages in empty talk squanders his time and enerqy in something that is useless, He fritters away his time and so loses the most precious thing he possesses, his life. The Prophet (sallallaahualayhi wa sallam) said, "Most people are unaware of the Value of two blessings:Health and free time."
Remedy
Sane Environment
There is a certain kind of loyalty between the believers that is built upon tangible and intangible solidarity, as Allaah the Almighty says, "The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil." And it is due to this solidarity that one must reproach those who commit empty talk, however this should be done tn the proper manner.
Step-by-step Training Of The Soul
Giving up everything that man has a natural disposition for in one stroke, is something very difficult and could be harsh upon the self. So the best way IS to adopt gradation. For example, the person who practices empty talk will need time to give up this abominable practice. Then he will need another period of time to reduce his speech to the permissible subjects, and to cease enjoying this practice.
Treating Oneself With Firmness And Resolution
Treating oneself with leniency will make it easy to give in to the temptations of life, and this will consequently enable one to fall into empty talk. Nevertheless, if one treats oneself with firmness and resolution, and with strong will and determination, it will surely be deterred from committing such a sin, as well as giving it up quickly.
Reading Constantly The Stories Of The Pious Predecessors
The stories of the prophets and the biographies of the righteous are full of many lessons of their concern about purifying their lives from empty talk and sinning. Reading such stories should make one eager to follow their example. Allaah says, "There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding." (Q12[Yusuf]:111)
Entertaining Oneself With What Is Lawfully Permissible
If the human soul is gratified with what is lawfully permissible, it will be full and content. That should make it turn away from empty talk and from everything that is prohibited however this should be done without exaggeration or excessiveness.
Continual Self-evaluation
This should be undertaken after every word or action, after every hour, after every prayer at the end of every day, every week, every month, after a quarter of the year, its half, its three quarters, and its end. In this way man will be able to know the aspects of imperfection in his character, and so try to reform them as soon as possible.
Entrusting Ones Soul Totally To Allaah
Aside from the steps mentioned above one needs to turn to Allaah for assistance, for He has the keys of heaven and earth in His Hands.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited