Al-Risala (English), July 1990

A Sunnah

1990 7 July 5-6 A Sunnah (444)

The Positive Side to Silence

When a group of the Tablighi Jamaat set out to spread their message in any given locality only one of them can be the mutakallim, that is, their spokesman. The rest have to remain quiet and let their speaker do whatever talking is required.

This self-imposed silence is not just a matter of wordless inaction. It is rather a positive condition which enables them to keep praying silently in their hearts for both the speakers and the listener. This, according to the system of Tabligh, is equal in importance to preaching. Turning to God, they say – within themselves – “O God, help the speaker to let fall from his lips the right words, and help the listener to accept these words, in the realization that that is the truth.”

This practice may seem to be nothing out of the ordinary and without much value. But it raises a very important point in reviving a sunnah which has almost been forgotten in modern times. With the invention of the printing press and easy access to public forums, people have now begun to feel that writing and speaking are the most important tasks to be accomplished. Now, anyone who has the slightest chance of having his writings published leaves off all other activity in order to work towards this end. Anyone who is given the opportunity to speak in public jumps at the chance, and insists on having loudspeakers. This tendency has been so greatly on the increase that the truth has been lost in the general uproar. Speaking has come to be considered the most important of all activities. Keeping quiet is no longer considered to have any positive value.

The path shown by Islam, and followed meticulously by the companions of the Prophet, leads us to the realization that talking is not the only task worthy of our attention, and that keeping quiet is equally important. Those who are denied the opportunity to speak can occupy themselves fruitfully in praying to God to help those who have undertaken to perform this service. They may also pray to God to help others to follow the straight path as shown by the Prophet.

If this sunnah could be revived among Muslims most discord, would die a natural death. Moreover, whatever the work being carried on in the community, it would show better results, because, God’s succour would then favour human effort.

Speak only when you have mastered the art of speaking. If you are not effective in this field, you can always undertake another great task, i.e. to pray to God for both the speaker and the listener. This is in no way inferior as an alternative.