Exploring the Role and Position of Tongue and Language in Self-Purification Based on the Ideas of Nizami Ganjavi

The philosophical and ethical thoughts of Nizami Ganjavi oneducating human soul and the tendency towards spiritual journey in his PanjGanj (Five Treasures) are clearly evident. Based on an educational approach,the present study investigated the role and position of tongue as a useful ordetrimental tool in self-purification with the aim of explaining the educationalthoughts of Nizami Ganjavi. The significance of this research was that itattempted to introduce the alignment of the poet’s educational goals withIslamic teachings as well as the relationship of poetry and literature with thefield of Islamic education. The research findings revealed that from the pointof view of Nizami, tongue has both good and evil aspects. On the one hand, itis a leading component of speech and the instrument of praise and eloquence.On the other hand, it is a fleshy muscular organ of the body that, when moveduntimely, brings misery to the audience and gets the speaker trapped intobackbiting, telling lies, gossiping and other sins of tongue. Paying dueattention to self-education in the light of recognizing the benefits anddisadvantages of speaking in relation to self and other was also emphasized by Nizami. For him, the origin of some sins of tongue might be jealousy,irascibility, impudence, ignorance and even the positive or negative influence of nature and essence. Therefore, the poet recommended humans use tongue and language complying with the conditions of the time and in a moderatemanner.