Human rights speaking the truth

Importance of Silence

Silence and talking a little has been praised in Islam, of course, it does not mean that always being silent is good. Being silent is extremely important in Islam that the Holy Quran also stressed. It is more than just being quiet and not talking too much, but it’s about a good akhlaq that defined the real Muslim. Even though it seemed simple, not everyone is capable of being silent. 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)

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 really happens. It freed us from prior judgment and we will be able to organize our thoughts, in the end, to reflect on things a lot. Allah says

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا اللَّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَا آيَةٌ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ تَشَابَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ

” And said those who (do) not know, “Why not speaks to us Allah or comes to us a sign?” Like that said those from before them similar their saying. Became alike their hearts. Indeed, We have made clear the signs for people (who) firmly believe.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 2:118)

One of the biggest benefits of being silent in Islam is calming our minds and resulting in a more positive manner. As we are silent and reflect on things, we can make a good decision for things. It also gets rid of stress and anxiety. An intelligent person tends to be more silent. He will never be careless of what he may say but think deeply about it, over and over instead.

Here are some compelling virtues of silence:

  1. Silence teaches us what we are saying is correct
  2. Silent gives a very correct response and input
  3. Silent makes a powerful mind and invokes joy
  4. Silence also gives us the time to thank God
  5. Silent strengthening the Faith to Allah SWT
  6. Silence distaste at something that is bad
  7. Silence guarding us against wrong Ideas
  8. Silence gives us a lot of time to reflect
  9. Silence  showing the Intelligent Side
  10. Silence deliberate on various issues
  11. Silence makes us internally strong 
  12. Silence makes the Heart Stronger
  13. Silence easy to reflect on things
  14. Silence protecting from the Sins
  15. Silence is the key to success
  16. Silence keeps one in a happy frame
  17. Silence is the mother of all creativity
  18. Silence guards us against wrong ideas
  19. Silence allows you to think, breathe, listen
  20. Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom
  21. Silent is a quality and a dimension all its own
  22. Silence is also a good way to show our protest 
  23. Silence is also a good way to show our protest 
  24. Silence gives a very correct response and input
  25. Silence teaches us what we are saying is correct

The virtues of silence are countless. Silence is the goal of all answers. If an answer does not silence the mind, it is no answer. Silence makes thoughts more coherent, makes one more intelligent. A person who does not practice silence cannot be intelligent at all.  Since having too much talk is derived by nafs. Allah says:

مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ

 “Not a word is uttered but there is a watcher by you ready (to record it).” (Surah Qaf  50:18)

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. By using time better, we also get closer to Allah. Being silent is gold, and it is better to hold up the unnecessary at times. We should rather remain silent unless we are seeking justice for some wrong that has been perpetrated against us.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

  • “Did we not forbid thee (to speak) for all and sundry?” (Surah Al-Hijr, 70)
  • “When will this promise come to pass,- if ye speak the truth?” (Surah Yunus, 48)
  • “What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?” (Surah As-Saffat, 92)
  • “Be ye drove into it (with ignominy)! And speak ye not to Me!” (Surah Al-Muminun, 108)
  • “But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear ((Allah)).” (Surah Ta-Ha, 44)
  • “Those men,-(Allah) knows what is in their hearts; so keep clear of them, but admonish them, and speak to them a word to reach their very souls.” (Surah An-Nisa, 63)
  • “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.” (Quran 4:148)
  • “(Allah) speaketh the Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith; he was not of the Pagans.” (Surah Al-Imran, 95)
  • “They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 27)

A heart that loves to speak a lot is usually full of illness. This is the benefit of being silent lays. It makes our hearts stronger. There is one good deed that is the easiest to be done without having to try much, which is being silent. One should also know that Allah (SWT) is most easily reached through silence.

فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِي الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمْ اللَّهُ وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ أُوْلُوا الْأَلْبَابِ

“Therefore give good news to my servants: Those who listen to the word then follow the best of it; those are they whom Allah has guided and those it is who are the men of understanding.” (Quran 39:16-17)

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. May Allah (SWT) teach us wisdom and give us the knowledge to speak about this deen.