Introduction
Renew the life of the heart with the Quran so that the soul may find tranquility in faith, and follow it at all times, and seek its rain of mercy and clouds of forgiveness.
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The Story of "Ra'ina" and the Quranic Prohibition
Some Muslims, when they saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) and wanted something from him, would say: "Ya Rasul Allah, ra'ina," meaning: "Lend me your ear." They said this with good intentions, but the Jews -may God curse them- would say this word to our Prophet (peace be upon him) intending to belittle him.
The exegetes mentioned that for them, it meant "Listen, I have not heard," or they intended by it "ra'ina" which means foolishness; so God disliked that His servants share with these fools in a word they intended for evil, even if the believers intended good by it. God guided them to a word that achieves the purpose, which is: "Anthurna" meaning: "Look at us."
Therefore, the consideration of words is required by the Sharia, regardless of the intention.
Considering Words in the Prophet's Sunnah
If a Muslim wants to express his laziness, he should avoid saying "My soul has become evil" and instead say "My soul has become heavy," meaning: it has become narrow or lazy and inclined to laziness. This meaning is conveyed whether we say "became evil" or "became heavy," but the word "evil" is ugly and may imply meanings beyond laziness and sluggishness; for "evil" is attributed to the forbidden, the false, lying, and ugly actions and attributes, and these do not befit a Muslim.
He (peace be upon him) also said: "Do not say 'What Allah and so-and-so willed,' but say 'What Allah willed, then so-and-so willed'" (authenticated by an-Nawawi and al-Albani).
Warning Against Common Phrases Contrary to Sharia
How then can one say: "The fool's provision is for the madmen"? While Allah says, and in the hadith: "Verily, the Holy Spirit has breathed into my heart that a soul will not die until it completes its term and consumes its provision" (authenticated by al-Albani).
And how can one say: "May the hour that saw you be cursed"? And in the sacred hadith, Allah the Most High says: "The son of Adam harms me when he curses time, and I am time; in My hand is the command, I turn the night and day" (narrated by al-Bukhari). Cursing the day or the hour for something that happened in it carries the meaning of cursing destiny, and Allah the Most High is the Ordainer of destiny.
Conclusion and Guidance
Therefore, brothers and sisters, the consideration of words is required, and it is not permissible to justify corrupt expressions with good intentions. Let us remember the divine guidance: "O you who have believed, do not say 'Ra'ina' but say 'Anthurna'."
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.