For God's Sake, Hold Thy Tongue
📚 Click/Tap Here
Questions
1. What do the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet (PBUH) tell us about backbiting and scandal-mongering?Ans: The Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strongly condemn backbiting and scandal-mongering. They say that speaking ill of others behind their back is a bad habit. The Prophet compares backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother, which shows how sinful and shameful it is. Therefore, Islam strictly forbids backbiting.
2. What do the Gita and the Bible tell us about backbiting?
Ans: The Gita teaches that a good person does not speak ill of others and controls his speech. A person who backbites is not considered noble. The Bible also says that a perfect man is one who does not backbite or use bad words. Both religious books teach us to avoid backbiting and speak good words.
Ans: The Gita teaches that a good person does not speak ill of others and controls his speech. A person who backbites is not considered noble. The Bible also says that a perfect man is one who does not backbite or use bad words. Both religious books teach us to avoid backbiting and speak good words.
Ans: The Granth Sahib teaches that a backbiter or a slanderer carries the burden of his own sins. Lord Buddha teaches that a person should live a life based on right speech.
Q.4 Why did the servant of Rabbi Simeon bring tongues both the times?
Ans: The servant explained that the tongue is responsible for speaking both good and bad words. A good tongue brings happiness, while an evil tongue causes pain. There is nothing better than a good tongue and nothing worse than a bad one. Therefore, the servant brought tongues both the times.
Ans: The servant explained that the tongue is responsible for speaking both good and bad words. A good tongue brings happiness, while an evil tongue causes pain. There is nothing better than a good tongue and nothing worse than a bad one. Therefore, the servant brought tongues both the times.
Q.5 Why did Rabbi Simeon invite his disciples for a meal?
Ans: Rabbi Simeon wanted to teach his disciples an important lesson. He invited them for a meal and served both soft and hard tongues. The disciples ate only the soft tongues. Then Rabbi Simeon explained that everyone dislikes a hard tongue. Hence, a person should always speak softly and politely.
Ans: Rabbi Simeon wanted to teach his disciples an important lesson. He invited them for a meal and served both soft and hard tongues. The disciples ate only the soft tongues. Then Rabbi Simeon explained that everyone dislikes a hard tongue. Hence, a person should always speak softly and politely.
Q.6 What according to you is the moral of the lesson?
Ans: The moral of the lesson is that we should never indulge in backbiting and scandal-mongering. We should control our speech and avoid speaking ill of others.
Ans: The moral of the lesson is that we should never indulge in backbiting and scandal-mongering. We should control our speech and avoid speaking ill of others.
Q.7 How does our tongue do good or bad to others?
Ans: When we use a soft and polite tongue while talking to others, it gives them happiness and pleasure. On the other hand, when we use harsh and rude words, it hurts others’ feelings and breaks their hearts. Thus, our tongue can do both good and bad.
2. cater - caterer – The caterer provides food at parties.
3. translate - translator – A translator translates one language into another.
4. novel - novelist – A novelist writes novels.
5. tour - tourist – A tourist visits new places.
6. politics - politician – A politician works in politics.
7. decorate - decorator – A decorator decorates houses and halls.
8. art - artist – An artist makes beautiful paintings.
9. economics - economist – An economist studies economics.
10. drama - dramatist – A dramatist writes plays.
11. cricket - cricketer – A cricketer plays cricket.
12. engine - engineer – An engineer makes machines and buildings.
13. history - historian – A historian studies history.
14. mountain - mountaineer – A mountaineer climbs mountains.
15. donate - donor – A donor gives money or blood.
16. grammar - grammarian – A grammarian teaches grammar.
17. auction - auctioneer – An auctioneer sells things in an auction.
18. science - scientist – A scientist does experiments.
19. teach - teacher – A teacher teaches students.
20. electricity - electrician – An electrician repairs electric wires.
21. physics - physicist – A physicist studies physics.
22. write - writer – A writer writes stories or books.
23. speak - speaker – A speaker speaks in public.
24. win - winner – The winner gets a prize.
25. mathematics - mathematician – A mathematician studies mathematics.
Ans: When we use a soft and polite tongue while talking to others, it gives them happiness and pleasure. On the other hand, when we use harsh and rude words, it hurts others’ feelings and breaks their hearts. Thus, our tongue can do both good and bad.
Language Work
Add the correct ending to each of the following words and say what each person does or is connected with.
Ans:
1. govern - governor – The governor governs the state. 2. cater - caterer – The caterer provides food at parties.
3. translate - translator – A translator translates one language into another.
4. novel - novelist – A novelist writes novels.
5. tour - tourist – A tourist visits new places.
6. politics - politician – A politician works in politics.
7. decorate - decorator – A decorator decorates houses and halls.
8. art - artist – An artist makes beautiful paintings.
9. economics - economist – An economist studies economics.
10. drama - dramatist – A dramatist writes plays.
11. cricket - cricketer – A cricketer plays cricket.
12. engine - engineer – An engineer makes machines and buildings.
13. history - historian – A historian studies history.
14. mountain - mountaineer – A mountaineer climbs mountains.
15. donate - donor – A donor gives money or blood.
16. grammar - grammarian – A grammarian teaches grammar.
17. auction - auctioneer – An auctioneer sells things in an auction.
18. science - scientist – A scientist does experiments.
19. teach - teacher – A teacher teaches students.
20. electricity - electrician – An electrician repairs electric wires.
21. physics - physicist – A physicist studies physics.
22. write - writer – A writer writes stories or books.
23. speak - speaker – A speaker speaks in public.
24. win - winner – The winner gets a prize.
25. mathematics - mathematician – A mathematician studies mathematics.
Grammar Work
Complete each sentence with an adverb. The first letters of the adverb are given:
1. We didn't go out because it was raining heavily.
2. Our team lost the game because we played very badly.
3. I had little difficulty finding a place to live. I found a flat easily.
4. We had to wait for a long time, but we didn't complain. We waited patiently.
5. Nobody knew Atif was coming to see us. He arrived unexpectedly.
6. Zeeshan keeps fit by playing tennis regulary.
7. I don't speak Punjabi very well, but I can understand it perfectly if spoken slowly and clearly.
Put in the correct word:
1. Two people were seriously injured in the accident.
2. The driver of the car had serious injuries.
3. I think you behaved very selfishly.
4. Razia is terribly upset about losing her job.
5. There was a sudden change in the weather.
6. Everybody at the marriage party was colourfully dressed.
7. Aslam speaks English fluently.
8. Ved Sir fell and hurt himself quite badly.
9. Hafeez didn’t do well at school because he was taught badly.
10. Don’t go up that ladder. It doesn’t look safe.
Glossary
Evils — बुराइयाँPrevalent — प्रचलित
Adversely — नकारात्मक रूप से / बुरी तरह
Backbiting — चुगली / पीठ पीछे बुराई करना
Speaking ill — बुरा बोलना
Admonishes — चेतावनी देता है / समझाता है / फटकारना
Indulge — लिप्त होना / शामिल होना
Woe — दुःख / संकट (Here लानत है)
Scandal-monger — बदनामी फैलाने वाला / चुगलखोर
Backbiter — चुगलखोर
Holy — पवित्र
Vices — अवगुण / बुरी आदतें / दोष
Condemned — निंदा की गई / दोषी ठहराया गया
Scandal-mongering — चुगलखोरी
Gesture — हाव-भाव / संकेत
Mimicry — नकल उतारना
Sarcasm — व्यंग्य / कटाक्ष
Belittling — नीचा दिखाना
Motive — उद्देश्य / कारण
Similitude — तुलना / समानता
Flesh — मांस
Reciting — पाठ करना / बोलकर पढ़ना
Refuge — शरण
Thee — तुम्हें / तुझे (पुरानी अंग्रेज़ी)
Denounces — कड़ी निंदा करता है
Instance — उदाहरण
Stumble — ठोकर खाना / लड़खड़ाना
Bridle — लगाम / नियंत्रण
Purity — पवित्रता
Perseverance — धैर्यपूर्वक प्रयास / दृढ़ता
Pursuit of — प्राप्त करने का प्रयास
Compassion — करुणा / दया
Avarice — लोभ
Endowments — गुण / वरदान
Ostentation — दिखावा
Pride — घमंड / गर्व
Demoniac — दानवी / राक्षसी
Slanderer — बदनाम करने वाला / निंदक
Sins — पाप
Tongue — जीभ / वाणी