Bismillahi Wal Hamdullillah Was Salaatu Was Salaamu ‘Alaa Rasoolillahi
Ammaa Ba’d:
The following are some texts (some popular, while others may not be so) concerning the virtues of holding the tongue and guarding it. A noble mannerism that is near abandoned in our time, though there is still hope for some…
Upon the Authority of Abu Huraira – Radhiyallahu Anhu – who said the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi was Salam said:
“Whosoever believes in Allah and the last day then let him say that which is good or remain silent!”
(Agree upon by Bukhaari (5785) and Muslim (47))
Upon the authority oh Al Hasan al Basri who said that the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu alaihi Was Salam said:
“May Allah have mercy upon a servant who speaks, and thereby gains a profit (ie he uttered something that earned him reward) or remains silent and safe”
(collected in musnad As Shihaab (581) and though it is ‘Mursal’ (which is when a taabi’ee narrates from the messenger – Sallallahu alaihi was Salam) it is declared ‘Hasan’ by Shaikh Al albaani in ‘Saheehul Jaami’ (3497) and ‘Saheehah’ (855) (due to supporting ahadeeth))
The following version of the hadeeth brings clarity to this hadeeth:
Upon Ubaadah bin Saamit – Radhiyallahu Anhu that the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu alaihi was Salam said:
“Speak good and you will gain (reward) and refrain from evil speech and you will be safe”
(Musnad As Shihaab (666) and declared Saheeh’ by Shaikh Al Albaani in Saheehul Jaami’ (4419)
Upon the authority of Abdullah Ibn Amr – Radhiyallahu Anhumaa who said that the Messenger of Allah said:
“He who remains silent will be successful”
(Collected by At Tirmidhi (2501) and declared ‘Saheeh’ by shaikh Al Albaani)
Upon the authority of Simaak who said:
“I said to Jaabir Ibn Samurah ‘Did you used to sit with the Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu alaihi Was Salam? He said: “Yes! Indeed He used to be given to long periods of silence, and would laugh little. His companions used to mention poetry and would discuss their affairs in his presence and they would laugh and he would probably smile”
(Collected by Ahmad in his Musnad (20829) and declared ‘Hasan’ in saheehul Jaami’ (4822))
The following are some of the statements of the Salaf concerning the issue
Talha Ibn Ubaidillah said I happened to embark upon a ship alongside Imaam Ahmad and (I noticed) he had long periods of silence, but when he did speak he said: “Oh Allah cause me to die upon Islaam and the Sunnah!”
(collected by Khateebul Baghdaadi in Taareekhul Baghdaad (9/349))
Upon the authority of Imaam Al Awzaa’ee who said:
Sulaimaan Ibn Daawood alaihis Salaam said: “If speech was made of silver, then silence would be golden!”
(Collected by Ibn Abi dunya in ‘As Samt’ (47))
Muwwarraq Al Ijli – Rahimahullah said: “There is an affair that I have been seeking for ten years that I haven’t achieved yet and I will never leave alone seeking it!” they said: “and what is that Oh Abu Mu’tamir? He said “To remain silent about what does not concern me!”
(Collected by Ibn Abi Shaiba (35144))
Upon the authority of Wuhaib Ibnil Warad – Rahimahullah – who said: “It used to be said that wisdom is in ten parts, nine of them are connected to silence while the tenth is in seclusion from the people”
(Collected by Ibn Abi Dunya in ‘As Samt (36))
Upon the authority of Ali – Radhiyallahu Anhu who said: “The tongue of mankind is like the pen of a king and his saliva is its ink”
(Collected by Ibn Abi Dunya ‘As Samt’ (79))
Upon the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr – Radhiyallahu anhumaa who said: “Leave alone that which has nothing to do with you whatsoever,and do not speak about what does not concern you, and guard your tongue as you would guard silver!”
(Collected by ibn Abi Dunya in ‘As Samt’ (24))
Upon the authority of Al Hasan al Basri – Rahimahullah who said: “He who is plenty in wealth is plenty in sin (ie usually), and he whos speech is plentiful, lies plentifully and he whose character is bad (only) punishes himself!”
(Collected by Ibn Abi Dunya in ‘As Samt’ (9)
Upon the authority of Ibn Mas’ood – Radhiyallahu anhu who said: “By he who there is no god other than him! There is nothing on the earth more in need of being imprisoned than the tongue!”
(Collected by Ibn Abi Dunya in ‘As Samt’ (16))
Wallahu A’lam
Was Sallallahu ‘alaa nabiyyinaa Muhammad
