Islam has specify several characteristic of a good Muslim, one of them is keeping silent. Being silent is extremely important in Islam. It is more than just be quiet and not talking too much, but it’s about a good akhlaq which defined the real Muslim. Even though it seemed simple, but not everyone is capable of being silent.
In some case, being silent is not good but in most situation, it helps a lot. But we are living in a time in which the abnormal is perceived as being normal. And if we allow ourselves to be controlled by the ever- changing norms of society then this shows that we are being controlled by people, whereas in actual fact we should only be controlled by the wishes of our Almighty Creator.
What is Silence considered in Islam?
Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:
“Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent” [Al-Bukhari]
Hence, silence is considered as the meaningful thing because when a person has not something effective or good to say then he/she should remain silent. Because talking irrelevance could lead to backbiting, false claims, hypocrisy, and other sins.
However, talking meaningful is highly encouraged in Islam because when we talk something meaningful, we are somehow teaching knowledge to others and spreading the good words.
The Prophet (PBUH) said “If a person is given silence, he is given wisdom”, the tongue is a great temptation and learning how to control it is an enormous discipline. Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) speaks, he always speaks the truth, even in levity. He disliked verbosity and cautioned His companions about talking needlessly.
Hazrat Ali (ra) has said “wounds of knives can heal, but the wounds of the tongue can never heal”. A believer is the one from whose tongues and hands other Muslims are safe. We should ask ourselves if our words bring comfort and relief to those around us or do they cut deeply into their hearts, and send them plummeting into grief and sadness.
Silence boosts Wisdom
It is indeed true that self-reflection teaches a person more about his ownself than others who teach the person. Hence, silence helps a person to do self-scrutiny and self-evaluation about his deeds and to self-correct afterwards. Silence also allows a person to actually understand the situation the way it is.
“One knows the value of his speech will also know the value of silence. In fact, if one adopts silence, he will value his speech and therefore guard it like he guards his wealth.” [Imam Ali]
Silence is not a Weakness
Silence is never a weakness but it is strength because when a person wisely chooses what to say he would not have any regrets of speaking wrong. Thus, such a person is always the powerful one because he has control on his anger, on his words, and on his actions as well.
People who have no sense of seeing the right, speaking the right, and doing the right are mentioned in the following verse of Quran:
“Indeed, we have destined many jinn and humans for Hell. They have hearts they do not understand with, eyes they do not see with, and ears they do not hear with. They are like cattle. In fact, they are even less guided! Such ˹people˺ are ˹entirely˺ heedless” [7:179].
What is considered as a Good Speech?
Allah says in Quran in Surah An-Nisa, verse 114:
“There is no good in most of their secret talks—except those encouraging charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people. And whoever does this seeking Allah’s pleasure, we will grant them a great reward” [4:114].
In the above verse, Allah has clearly mentioned that what should be the meaningful topics of speech. However, there is no harm in it to enjoy and giggle among your friends and family but we all should be very much careful about that while enjoying the conversations, we should never backbite, talk anything bad, plan something bad to harm others, or anything which has worst consequences.
The Holy Qur’an does encourage people to speak out, but only if this serves a worthy purpose. Indeed, to remain silent on some occasions is reprehensible.
Keeping silent establishes piety, brings about the blessings of Allah (swt), increases wisdom, brings peace and happiness and is the gateway to beneficial knowledge.
To sum up, a wise man once said, “Be just to your ears and mouth, you have been given two ears and only one mouth, so that you can listen more than you speak.”
