Every legally responsible person should refrain from saying anything except when there is a clear advantage to speaking. Whenever speaking and not speaking are of equal benefit, it is sunna to remain silent, for permissible speech easily leads to that which is unlawful or offensive, as actually happens much or even most of the time – and there is no substitute for safety.
The Prophet (Allah) bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is good or remain silent.” This hadith, whose authenticity Bukhari and Muslim concur upon, is an explicit legal text indicating that a person should not speak unless what he intends to say is good, meaning that the benefit of it is apparent to him. Whenever one doubts that there is a clear advantage, one should not speak.
Imam Shafi’i (Allah have mercy on him) said, “When one wishes to speak, one must first reflect, and if there is a clear interest to be served by speaking, one speaks, while if one doubts it, one remains silent until the advantage becomes apparent.”
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, which of the Muslims is best?” He said, “He who the Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand.”
From the Prophet ‘alayhissalatu wassalam: “The excellence of a person’s Islam includes leaving what does not concern him.” “Do not speak much without mentioning Allah (dhikr), for too much speech without mentioning Allah hardens the heart, and the hard-hearted are the farthest of all people from Allah Most High.”
“All of a human being’s words count against him and not for him, except commanding the right, forbidding the wrong, and the mention of Allah Most High (dhikr).”
The Master Abul Qasim Qushayri (Allah have mercy of him) said, “Safety lies in remaining silent, which should be one’s basis. Silence at the appropriate time is the mark of men, just as speech at the appropriate time is one of the finest qualities.” ~~~ [Reliance of the Traveller : Ahmad ibn Nagib Al-Misri, Nuh Ha Mim Keller]
Thank you to Munirfa for the above …… May Allah bless her always. Amin.
Posted by Maryam on May 12, 2009 at 11:31 pm
This is so true, although the most ignored fact .. “When one wishes to speak, one must first reflect, and if there is a clear interest to be served by speaking, one speaks, while if one doubts it, one remains silent until the advantage becomes apparent.”
Jazakallah for sharing, there were a bunch of facts I dint knew until now. May Allah bless you