The Holy Quran does encourage people to speak out, but only if this serves a worthy purpose. Indeed to remain silent on some occasions is reprehensible. Silence, when attributed to inanimate surroundings, perhaps only denotes the lack of noise. Allah says:
قُلِ ادْعُوا اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمَٰنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا فَلَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا
Say, “Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious. By whatever (name) you invoke, to Him (belongs) the Most Beautiful Names. And (do) not be loud in your prayers and not be silent therein, but seek between that away.” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:110)
Silence is part of a Muslim’s faith to speak the truth and to say things that bring about benefit to others. Being silent turns out to be highly beneficial, we should be talking less and immersing in the silence in most situations. Being silent is gold, and it is better to hold up the unnecessary at times. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلَا تَجْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
“O you who believe! (Do) not raise your voices above (the) voice (of) the Prophet, and (do) not be loud to him in speech like (the) loudness (of) some of you to others, lest become worthless your deeds while you (do) not perceive.” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:2)
Silence is a sought after treasure only when one wishes to sleep so that his efforts for another day of endless running are not undermined. Silence is an unwanted companion in other times, lingering awkwardly, everyone willing it to depart. Islam strongly recommended Muslims keep their silence for their own sake. Being silent serves as a guardian from wrong ideas between people. Allah says:
قَالَ اللَّهُ هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Allah will say, “This Day will profit the truthful their truthfulness.” For them (are) Gardens flows from underneath it the rivers will abide in it forever.” Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. That (is) the great success.” (Surah Al-Maida, 5:119)
He who speaks more commits more errors. He who commits more errors becomes shameless. He who is shameless will have less fear of Allah. He whose fear of Allah is less, his heart dies. He whose heart dies enters the fire. There is an old saying that silence is gold. Silence is indeed gold since it gives people to think twice before he talks. It is to filter whether things that he is about to say is appropriate or not.
Here are some benefits and ways to adopt silence in your life:
- Silence is the sign of nobility and the fruit of intelligence
- Silence remains more praiseworthy than eloquence
- Silence suffices provision for seeking pardon
- Silence plan exactly what you’re going to say
- Silence also gives us the time to thank God
- Silence shows hospitality to the neighbour
- Silence is a good way to show our protest
- Silence is the garden of contemplation
- Silence, the result of which is praised
- Silence is the safety from blunder
- Silence covers you with dignity
- Silence is better than words
- Silence prevents error
- Silence is dignity and safety
- Silence covers you with honour
- Silence is the sign of forbearance
- Silence makes us internally strong
- Silence is the symbol of judiciousness
- Silence guards us against wrong ideas
- Silence is better than speech earns regret
- Silence is a good way to show our distaste
- Silence offers to evaluate critically analyze
- Silence teaches us to speak when we are sure
- Silence gives a very correct response and input
- Silence offers us the best opportunity to evaluate
- Silence teaches us to listen to people very intently
- Silence reflect and deliberate time on various issues
The reality is that it is often only in silence that we can truly think, that we can truly reflect and that we can truly be alive. Silence reflects the serenity of the soul; one at peace with God, his people and surroundings. Our tongues are like double-edged swords. They can work for us and against us, both in this world and the Hereafter. We will be held accountable for what we say. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا
“O you who believe! Consciously revere Allah and speak a word right.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:70)
People commit sins from time to time and before we know it, our sins become bigger and bigger. To avoid committing sins, there is one deed that we can do: being silent. People who can’t keep silent will be easier to make sins and even worse, cause others trouble. There is one good deed that is the easiest to be done without having to try much, which is being silent.
لَا يُلْدَغُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ وَاحِدٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ
“The believer is not stung twice from the same hole.” (Sahih Bukhari 5782)
Silence is the trait of the humble, those who comprehend their frailties and limits, their ignorance and weakness, their death and life. In silence, the signs of God are made manifest on this earth. From the perfection of a person’s faith is his showing kindness to those with whom he has dealings, especially his neighbours and his guests. Allah says:
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
“Not he utters any word but with him (is) an observer ready.” (Surah Qaf 50:18)
By being silent, we will talk less, close our mouths and open our minds wider at the same time. We could observe our surroundings and have a better understanding of what happens. Think about Allah SWT in silence, so that in between we can strengthen our faith in Allah. It prevents us from carelessly speaking which leads to trouble. When you speak a word, it controls you but when you withhold it, you control it.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And there were those who said.” (Surah As-Saffat, 167)
- “If only we had had before us a Message from those of old.” (Surah As-Saffat, 168)
- “We should certainly have been Servants of Allah, sincere (and devoted)!” (Quran 169)
- “Except Thy servants among them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace).” (Surah Hijr, 40)
- “O, my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.” (Quran: Luqman: 13)
- “Also mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was an apostle (and) a prophet.” (Surah Maryam, 51)
Silence is the best protector we can have. We won’t be wasting our time blurting out unnecessary things that won’t do any good for us. Islam has specified several characteristics of a good Muslim, one of them is keeping silent. Allah says:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“And when is recited the Quran, then listen to it and pay attention so that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:204)
Being silent is extremely important in Islam that the Holy Quran also stressed. Be mindful; aspire to speak only when your words are good. This is better for your iman (faith), a protection for your tongue, and more honourable for you with your Muslim sisters and brothers. Allah says:
لَّا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوءِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا
“God does not like that evil should be mentioned in public except by one who has been done an injustice. And God is all-hearing, all-knowing.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:148)
This kind of irresponsible speech sometimes has far-reaching consequences on the lives of others and can cause great harm and pain. One of the biggest benefits of being silent in Islam in calming our minds and resulting in more positively. As we are silent and reflect on things, we can make a good decision for things. It also gets rid of stress and anxiety. Allah says:
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster.” (Surah Luqman, 31:18)
Blessed is the one who remains silent except for the remembrance of Allah. Keeping silent establishes piety, brings about the blessings of Allah, increases wisdom, brings peace and happiness and is the gateway to beneficial knowledge. One should also know that Allah is most easily reached through silence. Stop and think about what type of person are you? May Allah bless us with the wisdom that is acquired through silence and give us the ability to think before we speak. Ameen.
