In the Banes of the Tongue (Kitāb āfāt al-lisān), book 24 of Imām al-Ghazālī’s 40-volume magnum opus, the Revival of the Religious Sciences (Iḥyāʾ ʿulūm al-dīn), al-Ghazālī divides up the banes, or defects, of the tongue from the least to the most offensive, into twenty chapters. These include seemingly mundane acts, such as speaking about what is not our concern, superfluous chatter, pretentious speech, to more serious defects, such as using obscene words, cursing, ridiculing others, making false promises, lying, gossip, and backbiting (even with gestures and looks).

Al-Ghazālī carefully defines each defect and analyzes both its psychological and spiritual dimensions. He offers examples of how these banes manifest themselves in behavior, highlighting their effects on others, while outlining the consequences for the soul. Finally, he offers practical suggestions for eliminating these banes, and stresses the devastating nature of their consequences, both in this life and in the next.

2) Al-Ghazali: The Banes of the Tongue for Young People & Their Parents (Paperback edition) (Normal price $22.95)

A Word from the Publisher: Very dear Ghazālī Family – young adults and their parents:

Now that we have completed the first seven books of Imam al-Ghazālī’s Revival of the Religious Sciences, which include the pillars of our faith, we turn to other key teachings which can help raise our awareness and practice of the sunna.

The work you are about to read will be one of the most wonderful texts you will ever encounter for your life’s journey. We are all talking most of the day, even speaking in our heads to ourselves continuously. The ways we use speech can easily harm others and then, at the same time, destroy our own inner core while compromising our dignity. We are, for the most part however, completely unaware of the hurt we are causing.

Here you are provided with one of the most useful tools you will ever have to help you be conscious of what you are saying and re-align yourselves with your highest nature. You will thereby be better able to act and speak directly from the Heart.

If someone advises you not to lie or argue, why doesn’t that prevent you from doing so? It’s because you do not understand all the components and subtle dimensions of lying or arguing.

The brilliant way that Imam al-Ghazālī explains the “banes” – or scourges – of the tongue will not only astound you but will elevate the entire relationship you have with your Self. A greater awareness of the dangers of speech will arise.