LESSON 9 - THE TONGUE THAT CAN BRING PEACE AND WAR
The tongue is a pink muscular organ found in the oral cavity (mouth) that contains no bone but can break hearts and affect the mind leaving traces. Looking at the anatomy of the tongue and how it works, we can learn several lessons from it:
• How speech can bring happiness (peace) and war (pain) at different levels
• How taste (gustation) represents how people vary based on inner personality traits before outer traits.
• How the tongue works with the brain.
We often underestimate the power of a substance based on its size but when we realise its value, we more focus on its care. On this occasion, it is the tongue.
We often see in politics how to seek one’s peace, position and value, one seeks to break others through bloodshed, camouflage treaties and control. They will never realise that they will never be able to seek inner peace by creating war because war is easier to achieve than peace whereas peace is more challenging. It is repetitive. History is repeated. Nothing is learnt but curriculums are taught.
When we travel through this temporary world, we create memories and; when we leave this world, we will be a memory – either everlasting or fluctuates or a breeze. How we treat another person will be the type of memory remembered.
There is a hadith that I came across, narrated by Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah have mercy upon him), he asked:
“Oh Messenger of Allah, what is Salvation?”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Control of your tongue, keep to your house and weep over your sins.”
[Abu Dawood 4343, Al-Tirmidhi 2406]
In another hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) states:
“Most of your sins because of the tongue.”
[Al-Tabarini, 10300]
The tongue?
Yes, the tongue. Lies, backbiting, teasing, vulgar speech is amongst the sinful acts.
Sometimes being direct and truthful can also hurt people where last week, we looked at the acidity of the stomach, but there is another quote I came across that states:
‘Truth may hurt a while, but a lie lasts forever.'
If we love someone, care for someone, we need to speak the truth otherwise we are not being honest with ourselves and to others. It is what strengthens the relationship with one another by being a mirror.
Yes, some are more sensitive than others; however, the manner, location and format play a role in the outcome and response of the other party bringing peace rather than war.
Rather than being reactive, it is better to be proactive.
We should all reflect.
The impact of our speech can affect different levels and; when analysing the tongue, it is connected by the levels of structure it contains so, let us have a brief insight into the anatomy of this mobile organ.
The tongue is divided into two sections, anterior (front) two-third and posterior (back) one third.
The anterior part of the tongue consists of the tip/apex and the main body that is mobile. It contains small teeth at the front called the incisors and teeth on the sides. It is divided into the right and left sides and; in the middle, there is a structure called the fibrous lingual septum that is inserted into the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is the only bone found in the neck that holds the back of the mouth. The lingual frenulum or frenum is a structure that holds the front side of the tongue.
There are blood vessels: the lingual veins on the underside with a thin-transparent layer called the mucosa. The veins are on both sides of the lingual frenulum. There are arteries: the lingual artery and the tonsillar artery that branch.
On the surface of the body, it contains lots of pores called the rough dorsal (superior) lingual papillae containing taste buds near-surface palate. The smooth ventral (inferior) is bound to the floor of the mouth by a structure called the lingual frenulum.
There are different types of papillae: Foliate papillae (away from the middle line) called the lateral side containing taste buds. The mucosal area on the tongue aids in sensing things and; there are other forms of papillae. The vallate papillae are the large and flat bumps in front of the terminal sulcus. Filiform papillae are bumps aligned as V-shaped rows and; are parallel to the terminal sulcus. They have nerve endings that are sensitive to touch. Fungiform papillae are pink or sometimes red mushroom-shaped spots. They have lots of taste receptors in the taste buds.
The posterior part of the tongue consists of the base behind the palatoglossal as presented in the diagram. There are no taste buds and; there is a layer of mucosa and; filled with lingual follicles (tonsils) where there is lymphatic tissue that aggregates. The posterior end is between the hyoid bone and mandible (lower jaw). There are two muscles: geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles.
The effect of words can bring peace and war whether it is going to be peace where it is tasted on the sweet taste buds or war on the sour and bitter taste buds in the anterior two-thirds. Will, there be no effect? Then it will be at the back of the tongue (posterior) where no taste buds are present.
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said
“Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest level of faith.”
[Sahih Muslim 49]
For any form of situation, how we respond reflects the level of faith.
Before we speak, we need to reflect on the intention.
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?
Will it help?
Did he or she mean it?
Think of ways of excusing and advising appropriately. The direction in which words are said can be interpreted by the taste buds and muscles that provide movement of the tongue.
There are two sets of muscles: Intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, intrinsic muscles play a role in the sensation, shape, tongue and size. The extrinsic muscle function in the exterior (outside) movement. There are several types of intrinsic muscles: superior longitudinal folds the tip and side of the tongue up that shorten the tongue. The inferior longitudinal folds the tip of the tongue downwards which shortens the tongue. The transverse muscle narrows and lengthens the tongue increasing its height causing it to stick out. The vertical muscle flattens and broadens the tongue.
Words can pierce like a spear and; it can be sweet or in between but when we begin to listen more and think, the tongues shorten. Peace and War.
It was narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah have mercy be upon him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
‘Do not speak about something you may want to apologise for tomorrow.’
[Ahmad 23498, Ibn Majah 4171]
The extrinsic muscles are hyoglossus, styloglossus and palatoglossal. The hyoglossal muscle is a thin, flat muscle situated in the neck floor where it decreases and withdraws the tongue. The styloglossal muscle is the smallest, shortest and has a triangular shape where it increases and retracts the tongue and functions in swallowing. The genoglossal decreases and protrudes and turns the tongue. The palatoglossal elevates the tongue. All of the muscles in the tongue is supplied by the hypoglossal nerve – cranial nerve XII. The palatoglossus muscle, however; is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.
Different personalities and how it connects with the brain
Receptors are proteins that sense the change or stimulus in the environment and forward the sensory information to the brain via nerves. Sensory information e.g. touch and temperature on the anterior two-third are provided by the lingual nerve. A third of the tongue (posterior) sensation comes from the glossopharyngeal nerve.
At first, the salivary glands secrete the saliva fluid that moistens the food. The area in which the sensory information is sent in the brain is called the taste/gustatory cortex - it is part of the parietal lobe. The brain is divided into different sections called lobes in the cerebrum that function in reason, learning and memory.
So when the stimulus ignites, taste, odour (smell) and; texture (how it is felt) can provide motivational and emotional significance. The receptors for taste lies in the bottom of the taste buds in the tongue. They have hair-like structures that contain integral membrane proteins that process the chemical signals found in the taste bud.
The taste buds are a small group of cells in the lingual papillae presented in the diagram. Some cells are involved in support, other cells in chemical signalling.
There is a range of tastes: sweet receptors have integral membrane proteins that bind to glucose and artificial sugars such as aspartame. Sour where there are high levels of acid, salty taste ingest sodium, bitter that aligns poisonous taste e.g. arsenic. Umami (savoury) involves amino acids such as glutamate to increase flavours. All the tastes involve the G-protein receptor signalling pathway to ignite a response. A combination of tastes arises e.g pain from hot spices, textures and temperature to validate the taste.
Similarly, we expose to different personalities and it is good to learn to accept people how they are and their opinions and thoughts. Peace but not war. I am me. She is she. He is he. They are they. We vary in the skills and personalities of what we can do or cannot do and the ability to learn how to do it. Some call it resistance, I call it integrity.
Overall, the tongue can bring peace and war but how one reacts reflects the level of maturity. Listen, discuss and act on what benefits and ignore what does not. Overlook and give the benefit of the doubt.
• How speech can bring happiness (peace) and war (pain) at different levels
• How taste (gustation) represents how people vary based on inner personality traits before outer traits.
• How the tongue works with the brain.
We often underestimate the power of a substance based on its size but when we realise its value, we more focus on its care. On this occasion, it is the tongue.
We often see in politics how to seek one’s peace, position and value, one seeks to break others through bloodshed, camouflage treaties and control. They will never realise that they will never be able to seek inner peace by creating war because war is easier to achieve than peace whereas peace is more challenging. It is repetitive. History is repeated. Nothing is learnt but curriculums are taught.
When we travel through this temporary world, we create memories and; when we leave this world, we will be a memory – either everlasting or fluctuates or a breeze. How we treat another person will be the type of memory remembered.
There is a hadith that I came across, narrated by Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah have mercy upon him), he asked:
“Oh Messenger of Allah, what is Salvation?”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Control of your tongue, keep to your house and weep over your sins.”
[Abu Dawood 4343, Al-Tirmidhi 2406]
In another hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) states:
“Most of your sins because of the tongue.”
[Al-Tabarini, 10300]
The tongue?
Yes, the tongue. Lies, backbiting, teasing, vulgar speech is amongst the sinful acts.
Sometimes being direct and truthful can also hurt people where last week, we looked at the acidity of the stomach, but there is another quote I came across that states:
‘Truth may hurt a while, but a lie lasts forever.'
If we love someone, care for someone, we need to speak the truth otherwise we are not being honest with ourselves and to others. It is what strengthens the relationship with one another by being a mirror.
Yes, some are more sensitive than others; however, the manner, location and format play a role in the outcome and response of the other party bringing peace rather than war.
Rather than being reactive, it is better to be proactive.
We should all reflect.
The impact of our speech can affect different levels and; when analysing the tongue, it is connected by the levels of structure it contains so, let us have a brief insight into the anatomy of this mobile organ.
The tongue is divided into two sections, anterior (front) two-third and posterior (back) one third.
The anterior part of the tongue consists of the tip/apex and the main body that is mobile. It contains small teeth at the front called the incisors and teeth on the sides. It is divided into the right and left sides and; in the middle, there is a structure called the fibrous lingual septum that is inserted into the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is the only bone found in the neck that holds the back of the mouth. The lingual frenulum or frenum is a structure that holds the front side of the tongue.
There are blood vessels: the lingual veins on the underside with a thin-transparent layer called the mucosa. The veins are on both sides of the lingual frenulum. There are arteries: the lingual artery and the tonsillar artery that branch.
On the surface of the body, it contains lots of pores called the rough dorsal (superior) lingual papillae containing taste buds near-surface palate. The smooth ventral (inferior) is bound to the floor of the mouth by a structure called the lingual frenulum.
There are different types of papillae: Foliate papillae (away from the middle line) called the lateral side containing taste buds. The mucosal area on the tongue aids in sensing things and; there are other forms of papillae. The vallate papillae are the large and flat bumps in front of the terminal sulcus. Filiform papillae are bumps aligned as V-shaped rows and; are parallel to the terminal sulcus. They have nerve endings that are sensitive to touch. Fungiform papillae are pink or sometimes red mushroom-shaped spots. They have lots of taste receptors in the taste buds.
The posterior part of the tongue consists of the base behind the palatoglossal as presented in the diagram. There are no taste buds and; there is a layer of mucosa and; filled with lingual follicles (tonsils) where there is lymphatic tissue that aggregates. The posterior end is between the hyoid bone and mandible (lower jaw). There are two muscles: geniohyoid and mylohyoid muscles.
The effect of words can bring peace and war whether it is going to be peace where it is tasted on the sweet taste buds or war on the sour and bitter taste buds in the anterior two-thirds. Will, there be no effect? Then it will be at the back of the tongue (posterior) where no taste buds are present.
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said
“Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest level of faith.”
[Sahih Muslim 49]
For any form of situation, how we respond reflects the level of faith.
Before we speak, we need to reflect on the intention.
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?
Will it help?
Did he or she mean it?
Think of ways of excusing and advising appropriately. The direction in which words are said can be interpreted by the taste buds and muscles that provide movement of the tongue.
There are two sets of muscles: Intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, intrinsic muscles play a role in the sensation, shape, tongue and size. The extrinsic muscle function in the exterior (outside) movement. There are several types of intrinsic muscles: superior longitudinal folds the tip and side of the tongue up that shorten the tongue. The inferior longitudinal folds the tip of the tongue downwards which shortens the tongue. The transverse muscle narrows and lengthens the tongue increasing its height causing it to stick out. The vertical muscle flattens and broadens the tongue.
Words can pierce like a spear and; it can be sweet or in between but when we begin to listen more and think, the tongues shorten. Peace and War.
It was narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah have mercy be upon him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
‘Do not speak about something you may want to apologise for tomorrow.’
[Ahmad 23498, Ibn Majah 4171]
The extrinsic muscles are hyoglossus, styloglossus and palatoglossal. The hyoglossal muscle is a thin, flat muscle situated in the neck floor where it decreases and withdraws the tongue. The styloglossal muscle is the smallest, shortest and has a triangular shape where it increases and retracts the tongue and functions in swallowing. The genoglossal decreases and protrudes and turns the tongue. The palatoglossal elevates the tongue. All of the muscles in the tongue is supplied by the hypoglossal nerve – cranial nerve XII. The palatoglossus muscle, however; is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.
Different personalities and how it connects with the brain
Receptors are proteins that sense the change or stimulus in the environment and forward the sensory information to the brain via nerves. Sensory information e.g. touch and temperature on the anterior two-third are provided by the lingual nerve. A third of the tongue (posterior) sensation comes from the glossopharyngeal nerve.
At first, the salivary glands secrete the saliva fluid that moistens the food. The area in which the sensory information is sent in the brain is called the taste/gustatory cortex - it is part of the parietal lobe. The brain is divided into different sections called lobes in the cerebrum that function in reason, learning and memory.
So when the stimulus ignites, taste, odour (smell) and; texture (how it is felt) can provide motivational and emotional significance. The receptors for taste lies in the bottom of the taste buds in the tongue. They have hair-like structures that contain integral membrane proteins that process the chemical signals found in the taste bud.
The taste buds are a small group of cells in the lingual papillae presented in the diagram. Some cells are involved in support, other cells in chemical signalling.
There is a range of tastes: sweet receptors have integral membrane proteins that bind to glucose and artificial sugars such as aspartame. Sour where there are high levels of acid, salty taste ingest sodium, bitter that aligns poisonous taste e.g. arsenic. Umami (savoury) involves amino acids such as glutamate to increase flavours. All the tastes involve the G-protein receptor signalling pathway to ignite a response. A combination of tastes arises e.g pain from hot spices, textures and temperature to validate the taste.
Similarly, we expose to different personalities and it is good to learn to accept people how they are and their opinions and thoughts. Peace but not war. I am me. She is she. He is he. They are they. We vary in the skills and personalities of what we can do or cannot do and the ability to learn how to do it. Some call it resistance, I call it integrity.
Overall, the tongue can bring peace and war but how one reacts reflects the level of maturity. Listen, discuss and act on what benefits and ignore what does not. Overlook and give the benefit of the doubt.
