He also said to Muʿādh:

“The foundation of the whole affair is Islam, its central pillar is the prayer, and its highest pinnacle is striving in Allah’s cause.”

He then added, “O Muʿādh, shall I tell you about the gates of righteousness? Fasting is a shield; charity extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire; and a man’s standing in prayer during the depths of the night.” He then recited:

“Their sides forsake their beds as they call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend out of what We have provided for them. No soul knows what comfort of eyes is kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do” (32:16–17).

After that he said, “O Muʿādh, shall I inform you of what governs all of that for you?” He took hold of his own tongue and said, “Keep this in check.”

I asked, “O Messenger of Allah, will we really be taken to task for what we say?”

He replied, “May your mother be bereaved of you, O Muʿādh! Is there anything that flings people on their faces into the Fire other than the harvest of their tongues?”