The Perfection of The Prophet's Speech

There are many reports of the Prophet's mastery of the Arabic tongue together with his eloquence and fluency of speech. When he spoke he was very concise and expressed things clearly. His speech was well structured, free from all affectation and he used sound meanings.

He was adept in all the different dialects of Arabia and able to converse with each community using their own colloquial expressions. When they debated or argued with him he replied using their regular phrasing, and there were several occasions when his Companions were unable to understand what he said and requested him to explain.

The way in which he spoke to the Quraysh of Mecca and the Ansar of Medina, or the people of the Hijaz or Najd was different from the way in which he spoke to Dhul Mishar Al Hamdhani, Tahfah Al Handi, Katan, Haritha Al Ulaymi's son, Al Ashath, Kays' son, Wail, Hujr Al Kindi's son and other chieftains of the Hadramat and the kings of Yemen.

As for his everyday speech, famous speeches, statements and sayings, volumes have been written about them together with references containing their words and an explanation of their meanings.

The eloquence of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, is unequal and demonstrated in the following sampling:

"People are like the teeth of comb."

"A man is with the one he loves"

"There is no good in company that does not show you what you show them."

"People are like mines of gold and silver. The best of you in the 'Time of Ignorance' is the best of you in Islam, if they understand (the Islamic Law)."

"A man who knows his own worth is not destroyed."

"Allah shows mercy to His worshipper who speaks well and gains, or who remains silent and safe."

"Become a Muslim and you will be safe, become a Muslim and Allah will give you your wage twice over."

"Those among you I love most and those who will sit close to me on the Day of Resurrection are the best of you in character, who give shelter, and protect and reconcile."

"The two faced person has no status before Allah."

"Gossiping is forbidden, as is excessive questioning, squandering property, forbidding gifts, disobedience to mothers and the burial of girls alive."

"No matter where you are, fear Allah. Follow a bad action with one that is good because it erases (the bad). He created people with a good character."

"The best affairs is the median way"

"Answer the one you love with gentleness, lest one day he becomes the one who hates you."

"On the Day of Resurrection, injustice will appear as darkness."

There are a multitude of examples (over 12000 authentic statements), these are but a few and one cannot fail to marvel and reflect upon the wisdom found within them.

The Companions said to him, "We are unable to find anyone more eloquent than you." To this he replied, "How could it be otherwise, the Qur’an was revealed on my tongue, a clear Arabic tongue."

It is reported that on another occasion, the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, told his Companions, "I am the most eloquent of Arabs since I am from the Quraysh and was raised among the children of Saad." The tribe of Saad was famous for their strength and purity of the Arabic language and this was coupled to the eloquence spoken in Mecca. All these elements were combined with Divine support that accompanies the Revelation and which no mortal can imitate.

Umm Mabab said of him, "His speech was sweet and distinct without using too few words or an excess. It was as if his speech consisted of threaded pearls. His very melodic voice penetrated."