Quranic Wisdom

of the passing vehicles, human speech breaks man’s continuous journey of thought. Silence is a positive habit, it helps you to learn more and more and develop your personality unhindered. Right Use of Speech P eople are generally in the habit of speaking more and thinking less. The Quran is critical of this unhealthy habit. In the chapter Al-Nisa’ (Women), the Quran says: There is no good in most of their secret talk, except in the case of those who enjoin charity and kindness, or reconciliation between people. If anyone does that, seeking the pleasure of God, We will give him an immense reward. (4:114) This Quranic verse sets the standard for secret as well as open talk, namely, soundness and utility. One can only live up to this standard by being sincere in what one says and speaking only after analyzing the matter in hand. What one says should stem from a positive mind. According to this verse, a person must refrain from futile talk. He should never indulge in talking just for the sake of talking. Now, the question is, what is the best manner of speaking? And what content of one’s speech may be regarded as worthwhile? The Quranic criterion for proper social intercourse is based on three principles. All three principles are described in the above verse of the Quran, which sets them forth as follows: 1. Charity, that is, speaking with the true giving spirit; 2. Kindness, that is, speaking with the spirit of well-wishing towards others;