Page 52 - The Importance of Following the Good Word

And anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should
say what is good or keep quiet. (Bukhari)
We should also state that as another requirement from
Allah, believers not only speak well towards one another, but
also show proper regard for anyone they meet. One of the
finest examples of this was the manner Allah advised the
Prophet Musa (as) to address Pharaoh. Surely, Pharaoh was
one of history's cruelest tyrants. Despite this fact, Allah com-
manded the Prophet Musa (as) as follows:
"Go to Pharaoh; he has overstepped the bounds. But
speak to him with gentle words so that hopefully he
will pay heed or show some fear." (Surah Ta Ha, 43-44)
Of course, the Prophet Musa's (as) gentleness towards
Pharaoh, though he was a clear enemy of the religion and the
Muslims, was an important example, in that it reveals the
ideals expected in Islam. As the example shows, believers se-
lect the finest words in calling others to Allah. In the follow-
ing example in the Qur'an, Allah explains that good words
are of benefit to all:
Have you not considered how Allah makes a
metaphor? A good word is like a good tree whose
roots are firm and whose branches are in Heaven.
It bears fruit regularly by its Lord's permission. Allah
makes metaphors for people so that hopefully they
will pay heed.
The metaphor of a corrupt word is that of a rotten tree,
uprooted on the surface of the earth. It has no staying-
power.
Allah makes those who believe firm with the Firm
Word in the life of this world and the Hereafter. But

50 THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE GOOD WORD