The Tongue: Speak Good or Remain Silent | Last Part

  الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَلَمِينَ وَالصَّلَوٰةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّنَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَنِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

3. Mention your brother behind his back only in the manner that you would like him to mention you. Forgive him for those matters in which you hope he would forgive you.

4. Treat your brother in the same way that you wish him to treat you.

5. Act like a person who is certain that he will be rewarded for good deeds and held accountable for sins.³¹

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيبِ      صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

Four Sayings of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ Regarding the Virtue of Silence

1. مَنْ صَمَتَ نَجَا “Whoever remains silent attains salvation.”³²

Explanation: Silence is a means of salvation. However, speaking words of goodness, commanding good, forbidding evil, remembering Allah Almighty, and reciting the Qur'an are superior to remaining silent. According to another explanation, the meaning is: “Whoever remains silent from evil speech has attained salvation.”

2. اَلصَّمْتُ سَيِّدُ الْأَخْلَاقِ “Silence is the leader of noble character.”³³

3. اَلصَّمْتُ أَرْفَعُ الْعِبَادَةِ “Silence is among the highest forms of worship.”³⁴

References

³¹ Ihya' al-'Ulum (Urdu), vol. 3, p. 344

³² Tirmidhi, vol. 4, p. 225, Hadith 2509

³³ Al-Firdaws, vol. 2, p. 417, Hadith 3850

³⁴ Al-Firdaws, vol. 2, p. 417, Hadith 3849

 

Explanation: Silence is one of the finest forms of worship because most sins are committed through the tongue.

1. اَلصَّمْتُ زَيْنٌ لِلْعَالِمِ، وَسَتْرٌ لِلْجَاهِلِ “Silence is an adornment for the scholar and a covering for the ignorant.”

Better Than Sixty Years of Worship

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم said: “Remaining steadfast upon silence is better than sixty years of worship.”

Explanation: Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ explains: If a person worships for sixty years but speaks excessively without distinguishing between good and bad speech, then it is better for him to remain silent for a short while. Silence contains reflection upon the Hereafter, self-reformation, immersion in spiritual realities, hidden remembrance of Allah Almighty, and deep contemplation.

Speak Good or Remain Silent

Would that this blessed Hadith became firmly established in our minds:

مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should either speak good or remain silent.”

References

³⁵ Siraj-e-Muneer, Sharah-e-Jam-e-Sagheer vol. 3, p. 279

³⁶ Jami' al-Saghir, p. 318, Hadith 5159

³⁷ Shu'ab al-Iman, vol. 4, p. 245, Hadith 4953

³⁸ Mir'at al-Manajih, vol. 6, p. 361

The Beloved Prophet ﷺ Was Known for Long Periods of Silence

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ طَوِيلَ الصَّمْتِ

“The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم would remain silent for long periods.”

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ explains: This refers to silence from worldly conversation. Otherwise, the blessed tongue of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم was constantly moist with the remembrance of Allah Almighty. He صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم did not engage in unnecessary conversation with people. This refers to lawful speech, for unlawful speech never once emerged from his blessed tongue throughout his entire life. Lies, backbiting, tale-carrying, and similar evils never once came from his blessed tongue. The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم was entirely truthful, so how could falsehood ever reach him?

References

³⁹ Bukhari, vol. 4, p. 105, Hadith 6018

⁴⁰ Sharh al-Sunnah, vol. 7, p. 45, Hadith 3589

⁴¹ Mir'at al-Manajih, vol. 8, p. 81

The Importance of Guarding the Tongue is a valuable Islamic reminder that teaches believers the significance of controlling their speech. The article begins with a beautiful supplication and the virtues of sending abundant Salat upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It then presents authentic narrations, sayings of the Companions, and wisdom from the pious predecessors to illustrate how careless words can lead to spiritual loss while righteous speech becomes a source of reward. Readers are reminded that every word is recorded by the noble angels and that speaking without purpose can harden the heart and diminish blessings. The article encourages Muslims to avoid gossip, slander, backbiting, and all forms of harmful speech, replacing them with remembrance of Allah, beneficial conversation, and good manners. It serves as a practical guide for self-reformation, helping believers purify their hearts, improve their character, and prepare for accountability before Allah Almighty.