Islam strongly recommended Muslims keep their silence for their own sake. Being silent serves as a guardian from wrong ideas between people. 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:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آوَوا وَّنَصَرُوا أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا لَّهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
“And those who believed and emigrated and strove hard in (the) way (of) Allah and those who gave shelter and helped, those – they (are) the believers (in) truth. For them (is) forgiveness and a provision noble.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:74)
Silence is often construed as a weakness. It certainly is when the time is to speak out. However, at many other times, silence is a great teacher and a very useful companion. One of the biggest benefits of being silent in Islam, 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. Allah says:
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ
“Behold, ye received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things of which ye had no knowledge; and ye thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah.” (Surah An-Nur, 15)
Silence reflects the serenity of the soul; one at peace with God, his people and surroundings. Our tongues are like double-edged swords. Silence is a sought after treasure only when one wishes to sleep. If we go silent, not only do we completely protect and take care of ourselves, but we give them zero opportunity to continue running their game on us. Allah says:
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)
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.
Here are some reasons that you should consider using silence to everyone’s advantage in a communication “vibration”:
- Silence is the sign of nobility and the fruit of intelligence
- Silent teaches us to listen to other people very intently
- Silence gives a very correct response and input
- Silent gives a very correct response and input
- Silent makes a powerful mind and invokes joy
- Silent is also a good way to show our protest
- Silent strengthening the Faith to Allah SWT
- Silent also gives us the time to thank God
- Silence holds the attention of the listener
- Silence is the safety from blunder
- Silence drape you with disgrace
- Silence is the mother of all rest
- Silence can be an obvious answer
- Silence keeps one in a happy frame
- Silence is the mother of all creativity
- Silence guards us against wrong ideas
- Silent is a true friend who never betrays
- Silence allows you to think, breathe, listen
- Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom
- Silent is a quality and a dimension all its own
- Silence is also a good way to show our protest
- Speak only when someone wants to listen to us
- Silent is golden when you can’t think of a good answer
- Silent offers us the best opportunity to evaluate ourselves
- Silent changes the rudeness of others into a realization of folly
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 )
Silence cultivates one’s spirituality and feeling of nearness to Allah. 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. Allah says:
وَإِن تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى الْهُدَىٰ لَا يَتَّبِعُوكُمْ سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ أَدَعَوْتُمُوهُمْ أَمْ أَنتُمْ صَامِتُونَ
“And if you call them to the guidance, they will not follow you. (It is) same for you whether you call them or you remain silent.” (Surah Al-Araf 7:193 )
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. Silence is an unwanted companion in other times, lingering awkwardly, everyone willing it to depart. 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 gives us time away, creates pauses and spaces in relationships, that can strengthen the bond and strengthen ourselves. It gives us the time to reflect, to think for ourselves, enjoy ourselves, bask in our rich, multicoloured lives, relishing glimpses of the sky and the beauty all around us. The silence gives us the space to be comfortable in our own skin.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And there were those who said.” (Surah As-Saffat, 167)
- “That will be a Day when they shall not be able to speak.” (Surah Al-Mursalat, 35)
- “If only we had had before us a Message from those of old.” (Surah As-Saffat, 168)
- “Except Thy servants among them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace).” (Surah Al-Hijr, 40)
- “Let them then produce a recital like unto it,- If (it be) they speak the truth!” (Surah At-Tur, 34)
- “We should certainly have been Servants of Allah, sincere (and devoted)!” (Surah As-Saffat, 169)
- “The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand forth in ranks, none shall speak except any who is permitted by ((Allah)) Most Gracious, and He will say what is right.” (Surah An-Naba, 38)
- “And We bestowed of Our Mercy on them, and We granted them lofty honour on the tongue of truth.” (Surah Maryam, 50)
- “They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 27)
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. Thus, Islam strongly recommended Muslims keep their silence for their own sake. Allah says:
وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا
“And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.” (Surah Al-Isra’ 17:53)
Silence is the best protector we can have. Blessed is the one who remains silent except for the remembrance of Allah. Keeping silent establishes piety, brings about the blessings of Allah (SWT), increases wisdom, brings peace and happiness and is the gateway to beneficial knowledge. One should also know that Allah (SWT) is most easily reached through silence. May Allah (SWT) bless us with the wisdom that is acquired through silence and give us the ability to think before we speak. Ameen.