Gentleness adds beauty to any task; the Prophet advised this.
Anas, who served the Prophet (peace be upon him) for ten years, relates that he never once scolded him over anything he did, never saying, "Why did you do that?" The Prophet used to say that gentleness adds beauty to any task. He spoke clearly and deliberately, so that anyone wishing to could have counted his words. Speaking the truth takes courage; speaking it kindly takes maturity.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- M6011 Müslim, Fedâil, 51
- M6602 Müslim, Birr, 78
- B3567 Buhârî, Menâkıb, 23
More sunnahs in Speech Etiquette
As a table with references: Speech Etiquette sunnahs.
- Speak Good or Stay Silent: Keeping away from idle and harmful speech is the tongue's most valuable use.
- Never Lying: Keeping away from lying, even in jest, builds trust.
- Keeping Away from Backbiting: Speaking about someone behind their back wounds them. The Prophet strongly warned against backbiting.
- Not Interrupting: Listening to someone without cutting them off while they speak is respect made concrete.
- Controlling Anger: Controlling yourself in a moment of anger is the shortest way to be spared words you would regret.
- Beginning Speech in the Name of Allah: Beginning an important matter of speech by remembering Allah brings blessing to the words.
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