Daily Lesson 59
Memorise and practice a new hadeeth every week!
By Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib
The Benefits of Silence
مَنْ صَمَتَ نَجَا
“Whoever is silent has been saved.”
Tirmidhi
Explanation
When we think of good qualities, we don’t usually think of silence as a good quality. In fact, we are all expected to talk and make conversation. So we end up looking down on those, who are quiet by nature and look up to those who are very talkative. From this hadeeth, we learn that silence, is in fact, a very virtuous act and it will save us from much trouble.
Our beloved Nabi ﷺ himself would remain silent for long periods of time too.
Let us look at a few reasons silence can help us:
1) If we are silent, we will automatically lie less.
2) By remaining silent, we will not indulge in gossip and backbite.
3) When we talk too much, we look for things to talk about and in that many times, we discuss sins or make fun of people and hurt them.
4) By talking less, we will save so much time, which can then be spent on other actions like tilawat, zikr, salaah and acquiring knowledge.
5) By remaining silent we automatically are able to focus more on our studies and we will find more time to listen and learn from the knowledge and experiences of others.
Some inspirational quotes about silence:
1) A wise person once said that Allah Ta’aala gave us two ears and only one mouth. A sign that we should listen more and speak less.
2) Hasan al-Basri, رحمة الله عليه would say, “The intelligent man has his tongue behind his heart. If he intends to say something, he consults his heart whether he should say it or be silent. The foolish man has his tongue in front of his heart. If he intends to say something, he lets his tongue speak first (without thinking) .”
3) Mufti Shafee Usmani رحمة الله عليه used to say, ‘First weigh your words and then speak them’
4) Sulayman Ibn Dawood رحمة الله عليه said, ‘If speech was silver then listening would be gold’
5) Sayyiduna Abu Darda رضي الله عنه says that ‘Silence is wisdom, yet few people practice it’
6) Luqman علیہ السلام said to his son, ‘O my Son, I have indeed (many times) regretted my speech, but never regretted my silence.’
So what should we do:
1) Always think before we speak by asking ourselves, ‘Is what I am about to say good or bad and is there a need for me to speak’.
2) Speak only when there is a need.
3) Follow the prophetic advice of remaining silent, and only speaking when there is something good to say.
4) Keep reminding yourself that safety is in silence and when we do speak there is a chance we may say something wrong.
5) Avoid all forms of haram speech like lying, backbiting, slandering, swearing, making fun of people, spreading rumours and speaking of sin etc.
6) When the opportunity presents itself to say something good, to share knowledge or give advice to someone, then do not remain silent.
7) Keep busy with the zikr of Allah Ta’aala and reciting Quran. This will help to remain silent.
8) Give your ears a chance to listen and learn good and beneficial things from parents, elders and teachers.
9) Finally think of the following hadeeth every morning in which our beloved Nabi ﷺ said, “When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all of his limbs turn towards the tongue and they say: Fear Allah Ta’aala regarding us, for we are only a part of you. If you are upright, we are upright. If you are crooked, we are crooked.” (Tirmidhi)
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Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and the man who insulted him
Once Sayyidina Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was with our beloved Nabi ﷺ when a man suddenly came and started insulting Abubakr رضي الله عنه.
Sayyiduna Abubakr رضي الله عنه remained quiet and did not say anything. Our beloved Nabi ﷺ, smiled and seemed pleased with whatever had happened.
The man insulted Sayyidina Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه a second time, but again he controlled himself and remained silent.
The man started insulting Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه for a third time, and this time he lost control and responded.
At this, our beloved Nabi ﷺ left (to show his disappointment and disapproval).
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه quickly followed our beloved Nabi ﷺ and said: “O Messenger of Allah! He insulted me and you had sat there. Then when I responded to some of what he said, you became saddened and got up.”
Our beloved Nabi ﷺ replied: “There was an angel with you who was responding to his insults on your behalf.”
Then Nabi ﷺ said: “Abu Bakr (keep in mind) three things which are always true, one of which is that whenever a person is subjected to an injustice but leaves the matter to Allah Ta’aala, then Allah Ta’aala will come to his aid” (Musnad Ahmad)
Moral:
From this story, we learn that it is better to stay quiet than to speak ill.
We also learn to leave matters in the hands of Allah Ta’aala. We do not have to always fight a battle and win it.
When someone insults us, Allah Ta’aala appoints an angel to reply on our behalf! How amazing is that?
So, the next time someone speaks ill of us, do what’s best, be silent and let the angel sent by Allah Ta’aala answer for us.
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