The Virtue of Silence in the Quran and Sunnah
The Quran and Sunnah contain many verses and hadith that emphasize the virtue of silence. Some of these verses and hadith include:
لَّا یُحِبُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡجَهۡرَ بِٱلسُّوۤءِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِیعًا عَلِیمًا
Allah does not like disclosure of evil matters except by the oppressed; and Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing. Quran 4:148
This verse teaches us that we should avoid mentioning the faults and weaknesses of others unnecessarily, and we should cover them up as far as possible. This is a sign of nobility and generosity, and it creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect in society. However, this does not mean that we should remain silent when we see injustice and oppression being committed against ourselves or others. In such cases, we have the right to expose the wrongdoers and seek justice from the authorities. Allah does not like those who conceal the truth and support the oppressors, and He is well aware of all that we say and do.
The verse does not give permission for gibat [Gibat is a term that means backbiting or speaking ill of someone in their absence. It is a major sin in Islam and it is forbidden except in certain cases where there is a valid reason or benefit.], but rather it makes an exception for the case of the oppressed who may complain or seek help against the oppressor. This is not considered gibat because it is not done out of malice or envy, but out of seeking justice and relief. However, even in this case, one should not exceed the limits or say more than what is necessary.
This Verse emphasizes the virtue of silence by showing that it is better to refrain from speaking about evil matters unless there is a valid reason. Silence is a virtue because it prevents us from harming others with our words, spreading corruption and mischief, and earning the displeasure of Allah.
Another Verse,
وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِینَ یَمۡشُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هَوۡنࣰا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمࣰا
And the bondmen of the Most Gracious who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them they answer, “Peace”. (Good –bye)
The verse you quoted is from chapter 25, verse 63 of the Quran. This is a most beautiful description of the true servants of God, who are distinguished by their humility and gentleness, and by their refusal to be provoked by the foolish and ignorant. They do not argue or quarrel with them, nor do they retaliate or seek revenge. They simply say ‘peace’ and move away from them, leaving them to their own devices. This is a sign of their nobility, wisdom, and strength of character. This means that they do not adopt an arrogant attitude towards anyone, nor do they behave rudely or harshly. They are gentle and courteous to all. They do not lose their temper when they encounter abuse or mockery from foolish people, but rather they ignore them or answer them politely. It teaches one to be respectful, tolerant, and forgiving.
This verse emphasises on the virtue of silence in Islam by showing that the servants of the Most Gracious are those who do not engage in arguments or disputes with the ignorant, but rather they say "peace" and move away from them. This is a sign of their humility, wisdom, and strength of character. They avoid saying anything that could harm or offend others, and they promote peace and harmony in society. Some of the benefits of being silent in Islam are:
- It calms the mind and helps in making good decisions.
- It prevents us from committing sins with our tongue, such as lying, backbiting, or slandering.
- It protects us from the evil of the ignorant and foolish people who try to provoke us or insult us.
- It earns us the reward and pleasure of Allah, who loves those who are humble and gentle.
- It makes the heart stronger and purer, and frees it from ego, grudge, or hate.
- It enhances our communication skills and enables us to listen more carefully, think more clearly, and reflect more deeply.
Sahih Muslim, Hadith number 47:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
Translation: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet.”
This hadith lays down a general principle that covers all aspects of life. It enjoins us to be careful about what we say, and to avoid idle talk, gossip, slander, lying, and other forms of evil speech. It also encourages us to use our tongue for good purposes, such as praising Allah, reciting the Quran, spreading knowledge, enjoining good, forbidding evil, and giving sincere advice. It also warns us against wasting our time and energy in useless conversations that do not benefit us or others. It teaches us to be mindful of Allah and the Last Day, and to speak only what pleases Him and brings us closer to Him.
These verses and hadith teach us that silence is often the best course of action, especially when it comes to avoiding evil and promoting peace and good relations. Silence can also be a sign of strength, forbearance, and wisdom. When we are silent, we are able to listen more carefully, think more clearly, and reflect more deeply. We are also less likely to say something that we will regret later.
Of course, there are times when it is necessary to speak up. But even when we do speak, we should strive to speak good words that will benefit others. We should also be mindful of the impact of our words on others, and we should always avoid saying anything that could cause harm.
The virtue of silence is a reminder that sometimes the best way to communicate is not to say anything at all. When we are silent, we can learn more, grow more, and connect with others on a deeper level.