The War on Words

Reclaiming Divine Truth in a World of Deception

The rich tapestry of language can be used for two powerful purposes: to uplift and inspire, or to degrade, subdue, and oppress.

Across the globe, language is both a miracle and a complex phenomenon. Communication connects us not only with each other but also with our Creator. In the Holy Qur’an, God reminds us of the significance of language:

“And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.” (Qur’an, Surah ar-Rum, Chapter 30, The Romans, Verse 22)

Language shapes our identity, frames our understanding of the world, and serves as a bridge between human beings and the divine. Historically, many English idioms and expressions were rooted in scripture. Even Shakespeare, one of the most influential writers in the English language, drew heavily from the Bible in his works. He understood the immense power of language, often using it to explore themes of identity, oppression, and rebellion.

In The Tempest, the character Caliban bitterly declares:

“You taught me language, and my profit on’t is, I know how to curse.”

This powerful line reveals how language can be both a tool of control and a means of resistance. Prospero’s imposition of language on Caliban mirrors the coloniser’s domination over the colonised—where language is not a gift, but a weapon that alienates and dehumanises. In Caliban’s case, it disconnects him from his original identity, his culture, and his relationship with his Creator.

Today, in an increasingly secular and post-Christian world, we are witnessing a deliberate reshaping of language by those in power. Language is no longer just a tool of communication—it has become a tool of control, manipulation, and ideological enforcement. Carefully crafted terms are used to push particular agendas and subtly reshape our moral compass.

Consider terms like “assigned at birth”—a phrase that challenges the divine order and suggests that human identity is arbitrary, subject to personal whim rather than divine design. Or “child destruction” in place of “abortion”—a term that starkly exposes the reality hidden beneath sanitized language. Euphemisms are used to obscure injustice: language that veils unjust wars, language that conceals the corruption of the young, and language that disguises deceit in business and marketing.

We must be vigilant. Ambiguous and deceptive language is often used to manipulate the unsuspecting. Clear and honest communication is essential—but it cannot be achieved unless those in power are themselves honest, principled, and accountable.

When global powers are committed to deception, their language will inevitably reflect it—clouded in vagueness, misdirection, and manipulation. As communities and individuals, wherever we may be, we must demand clarity, transparency, and integrity in language.

Let us be guided by the wisdom of the Holy Qur’an:

“O you who believe! Guard your duty to Allah, and speak words straight to the point.” (Qur’an, Surah al-Ahzaab, Chapter 33, The Allies, Verse 70)