Exercise Caution Regarding The Persuasive Yet Burdensome Speech and Its Advocates, Particularly On Social Media Platforms

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,  said:

إن الله يبغض البليغ من الرجال الذي يتخلل بلسانه تخلل الباقرة بلسانها

Indeed, Allah hates the eloquent one among men who moves his tongue round [within his teeth], as cattle do. [1]

Al-Allaamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad, may Allaah preserve him, said: The person intended in this hadith is the one who speaks eloquently, while using obscure or ambiguous language, immerses himself in speech and burdens himself. He burdens himself in speech and utters something blameworthy. However, if this (eloquence) is not done by way of burdening oneself in speech, such as the one whom Allah has granted eloquence and he utilises it in his speech to clarify the truth, then this is not blameworthy. Allah hates the person who speaks eloquently and utters that which is blameworthy due to deliberately utilising obscure, ambiguous and burdensome speech. This person is likened to a cow that moves its tongue round when eating. It is said that a cow is not like other animals because other animals use their teeth but a cow uses its tongue. This hadith forbids the likes of this action [i.e. eloquent, burdensome speech] and the one who does so is hated by Allaah. [2]

[1] Sahih Abi Dawud 5005
[2] Explanation of Sunan Abu Dawud. Audio number 569.