Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim, rahimahullah said: If you would like to draw a conclusion of what is contained in someone’s heart then use as a proof the movements of his tongue, for surely, he will show you what is contained in his heart regardless of whether he wants to or not. Yahyaa Ibn Mu’aadh said,
The hearts are like pots. They boil with that which they contain and their tongues are their ladles [i.e. scooping spoons]. So look at a man when he speaks. His tongue will scoop out for you that which is contained in his heart, whether it is sweet or bitter, fresh or salty and other than that. And the flavor of his heart will become clear to you from that which his tongue scoops out. 1
This means that just as you can taste the flavor of foods being cooked with your tongue and you realize the true flavor of them, similarly you can taste what is in a man’s heart by way of his tongue, in the same manner that you can taste what is in the pot with your tongue.
- Footnote: 1) Collected by Aboo Nu’aym in “al-Hilyah” (vol. 10/pg. 63)
- Source: “al-Jawaabul-Kaafee/ad-Daa wad-Dawaa” (pg. 242-249) – K.S.A.: Daaru Ibnil-Jauzee-2006
- Transcribed from: The Appendix of An Explanation of the Hadeeth: “Say, ‘I believe in Allah’, and then be upright and steadfast” | Ibn Rajab
Tawheed First 
[…] Transcribed from: The Appendix of An Explanation of the Hadeeth: “Say, ‘I believe in Allah’, and then be upright and steadfast” | Ibn Rajab […]
[…] Transcribed from: The Appendix of An Explanation of the Hadeeth: “Say, ‘I believe in Allah’, and then be upright and steadfast” | Ibn Rajab […]
so there’s no such thing as ‘he’s just saying it, but he’s a sweet person once u get to know him’, is there?
“you can taste what is in a man’s heart by way of his tongue..”
so what he says is what he is feeling and/or thinking thus we’re able to understand his intentions? i feel this article needs more elaboration.
JazaakiAllahu khayr
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatu
Wa iyaak.
[By way of the following, I do not seek to qualify per se the words of Ibnul Qayyim nor Yahya ibn Mu’aadh (as Allaah knows best), rather simply to share some of the benefits I’ve derived from them and the context in which they were presented.]
I do not believe these statements are pointing to the fact that we may surmise what somebody intends with their actions by way of what their tongue utters. What we can discern from the statements are: that which is stated upon the tongue may be indicative of what is within the heart. And what may be contained within the heart? In a general sense, the heart may be healthy, or it may be sick, or even dead. Thus, the flavor of the heart more so speaks to the state of it (“whether it is sweet or bitter, fresh or salty and other than that”), as opposed to knowing one’s actual intentions.
Prior to this excerpt, Ibnul Qayyim states:
As for guarding the words, then this takes place by a person not uttering a wasted word, such that he doesn’t speak about anything except that he hopes to profit and benefit in his religion. And whenever he wishes to speak, he stops and asks himself, “Is what I am about to say beneficial and prosperous or not?” So if it is of no profit then he should refrain from speaking, and if it is of some profit then he should stop and ask himself again, “If I say this, will it cause me to miss out on saying something more profitable?” Thusly, he should not waste it with these words.
Then Ibnul Qayyim goes on the speak of the flavor of the heart (the excerpt which has been posted above). So this excerpt was in the greater context of safeguarding our tongues.
So if we wish to take ourselves to account in light of such statements, we may ask such questions as these:
Do I think before I speak and question my words before they leave my tongue?
Do I engage excessively in vain talk and if so, what does this say about the state of my heart?
In what ways do I use my tongue to be in the remembrance of Allaah ta’ala, and how can I increase my efforts in this regard?
Do I surround myself with those whose company encourages me to use my tongue favourably and whose speech themselves is beneficial? Or with those who lead me to engage in vain talk and whose speech contains no benefit?
So it is hoped that answering such questions honestly shall lead one to take caution with the words they utter, questioning their speech and the state of their heart, seeking betterment and the pleasure of Allaah ‘azza wa jall.
The dangers of the tongue are many – may Allaah protect us – such an excerpt should make us focus our attention on our own speech and fervently safeguarding our tongues.
Wallaahu a’lam
NB: Bi’ithnillaah, another post from this work shall be forthcoming which shall further explore the dangers of the tongue.
Wa Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatu
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