On Silence

On Silence

1992 8-9 August-September 11On Silence (307) According to Abdullah Ibn Umar, the Prophet said that the man who remained silent earned his salvation. (Mislikat Al-Masabih, 3/1360). According to another tradition, he said, ‘Silence is wisdom. However, there are few who practise it.’ (Al-Mafredat fi Gharib al Qur’an, p. 127)

A human being’s greatest possession is his brain, and one of the first indications that he does possess a brain is his ability to remain silent. Maintaining silence then is not inaction. It is, on the contrary, a superior form of activity, indicative of the highest intelligence.

Keeping quiet and thinking are almost synonymous. In a silent state one is actually engaged in deep thought – undoubtedly one of the greatest of human actions. Where speech requires the activity of certain organs, silence requires the full activity of the brain. Silence, as an activity, has double the value of speech.

Silence is an indication of seriousness, denoting a man’s efforts to have an in-depth appreciation of the matter in hand. Before venturing to speak, he realizes the necessity to reflect. Before addressing his audience, he first addresses himself. He never rushes into anything; it is his silence that tells us that he is planning well-considered moves.

Speaking is the mark of impatience. Silence is the mark of patience. Where speaking can be indiscreet, silence is invariably discreet. Where speaking can be irresponsible, silence is a sure sign of responsibility.

Speaking demonstrates a man’s limitations. Once he has spoken, his hearers may take his measure. Silence, on the other hand, sets no such limits. One who remains silent is boundless, unfathomable. He is a man whose limits have yet to be revealed, and he speaks only when others have exhausted their funds of words.

Talkers are legion in this world, but those who love silence more than speech are as rare as the rarest of gems.