Sayyiduna Sufyan bin Abdullah Thaqafi (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Tell me something about Islam such that I will not need to ask anyone else about it." He said: "Fear Allah and remain steadfast." I asked, "What else after that?" So he (peace and blessings be upon him) pointed towards his tongue (meaning: keep it under control and safeguard it).

Sayyiduna Sufyan bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Tell me something which I may hold fast to." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Say: Allah is my Lord, then remain steadfast upon it." Then I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! What do you fear most for me?" Sayyiduna Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of his blessed tongue and said: "This."

Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: It was asked: O Messenger of Allah! Which Islam is the best? (That is, who is the best among the Muslims?) He replied: "The one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe."