One does not own one’s tongue thereby warranting one the ability to use it as one wishes. Instead, it is an amaanat (trust). Therefore, it should be occupied in those deeds for which it was bestowed i.e. zikr and tilaawat of the Qur’aan etc. and one should avoid engaging it in improper actions like back-biting and carrying tales etc.
Once Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam pointed to his tongue and addressed Hadhrat Mu`aaz radiallahu anhu, “Save your tongue from unnecessary talk.”
Hadhrat Mu`aaz radiallahu anhu asked, “O Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam! Will we be held accountable for what we speak?”
Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam replied, “O Mu`aaz! May your mother lose you. There will be many people who will be flung headlong into the fire of Jahannum on account of (misusing) their tongues.” (Mishkaat, vol 1, pg 14)
Malfuzaat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Saheb Pg 418