2.36. SPEECH (continued)

God says

…And if thou [must] turn aside from those [that are in want, because you yourself are] seeking to obtain your Sustainer’s grace and hoping for it,* at least speak unto them with gentle speech. Q.17:28

*I.e., “because you are yourself in want, and therefore unable to help”.
[Luqman the Wise speaking to his son:] “Hence, be modest in thy bearing, and lower thy voice:…..” Q.31:19

….Give, then, this glad tidings to [those of] My servants who listen [closely] all that is said, and follow the best of it:* [for] it is they whom God has graced with His guidance, and it is they who are [truly] endowed with insight. -- Q.39: 17-18

*In Razi’s words the above verse expresses “a praise and commendation of following the evidence supplied by one’s reason (hujjat-al-‘aql), and of reaching one’s conclusions in accordance with [the results of] critical examination (nazar) and logical inference (istidlal).” A somewhat similar view is advanced, although in simpler terms, by Tabari.

Who could be better of speech than he who calls [his fellow-men] unto God, and
does what is just and right, and says, “Verily, I am of those who have
surrendered to God”? -- Q.41:33

.... But [rather] hold [secret] counsel in the cause of virtue and God-consciousness: and [always] remain conscious of God, unto whom you all shall be gathered. [All other kinds of] secret confabulations are but of Satan’s doing, -- Q. 58:9,10

O you who have attained to faith! Why do you say one thing and do another? Most loathsome is it in the sight of God that you say what you do not do! -- 61: 2, 3

Prophet said

7. ‘Adee bin Hatim (the grandson of the great philanthropist, humanitarian generous and self-sacrificing Hatim Tai who lived before the arrival of the Prophet) related that the Prophet said: “Protect yourself from the fire of hell, even if it be by spending only half a date as alms; and one who does not even get that, should at least speak nicely” – H: Bukhari and Muslum.