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Quran and Sunnah

Imam al-Nawawi: Think Before You Speak

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‘A still tongue makes a wise head’, says one proverb. It has also been said: ‘The wounds of a sword may heal one day; the wounds of the tongue, they never may.’ And then there is this note of caution: ‘Speak when you’re angry and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.’

While it is true that great good can come from the tongue, it is also true that the tongue can stir up immense enmity and strife. The tongue, despite it being a small organ of the body, has an influence wholly disproportionate to its size. How many conflicts, divisions, divorces and distresses have been triggered by angry words and unbridled tongues! Unfortunately, the tongue as a source of evil is something that our communicative and social-networking culture seldom considers. In contrast to the modern urge to endlessly yap, yell and yodel, our ancients recognized that when a carpet of silence is laid, wisdom begins to settle.

As part of his celebrated and encyclopedic anthology of transmitted prayers from the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)al-Adhkar, Imam al-Nawawi (d.676H/1277CE) devotes a separate chapter on the obligation to guard the tongue and the merits of silence. The following is a translation of the opening segments of that discussion:

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‘Know that it is required of every legally responsible person (mukallaf) that they guard their tongue from all types of speech, save that which contains an overriding benefit. Whenever speaking or keeping silent are equal in their benefits, then the sunnah is to refrain from speaking. For speech that starts off as permissible can quickly degenerate into what is forbidden or disliked. In fact, this occurs a lot, or is more often the habit; and there is no substitute for safety.

It is related in the Ṣaḥīḥs of al-Bukhāri [no.2018] and Muslim [no.47]; on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may God be pleased with him; who relates that the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), declared: ‘Whoever believes in God and the Last Day, let him speak well or keep quiet.’

I say: The soundness of this ḥadīth is agreed upon and contains an explicit stipulation that one must not speak unless one’s words are good and that the benefit in doing so is clear and preponderant. Whenever there is uncertainty about the benefit being preponderant or not, one remains silent. Imam Al-Shāfi‘i, may God have mercy upon him, has said: “When one intends to speak, let him think before he does so. If there is an overriding benefit, let him speak; but if in doubt, let him desist from speaking until the benefit is clear.”‘

Al-Nawawi, al-Adhkar (Jeddah: Dar al-Minhaj, 2008), 535.

 

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Abu Aaliyah is the founder of The Jawziyyah Institute, a leading institute for Islamic moderation and contemporary thought in the United Kingdom. Sidi Abu Aaliyah has been in involved in Dawah and Islamic teachings since 1986. He has translated a number of books from the Arabic language into English such as "The Exquisite Pearls". Abu Aaliyah's written works and audio lectures can be found online.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Siraaj

    November 12, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    Great reminder, jzk

  2. Rihjm

    November 13, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    Why is islam so enamoured with hate and violence. I see news about murder and violence on the streets of islam. even against their own. I see innocent ambassadors murdered for the love of hate. I have tried to read the quran, but there too, so much hate and love for killing. Why?

    • Gibran

      November 14, 2012 at 12:40 PM

      Really? I’ve read the Quran, not that much killing in there.

    • sial

      November 19, 2012 at 5:55 AM

      Qur’an is not a simple book about some spiritual healing methods. it is a complete code of life. it consist of every things, from individual matters to state issues. killing the dangerous culprits and criminals is state’s responsibility to keep peace.
      also What most of the Muslims do, does not represent Islam now a days. islam and muslims are really two very different defination these days.

  3. Ahsan Arshad

    November 14, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    “Whenever speaking or keeping silent are equal in their benefits, then the sunnah is to refrain from speaking.”
    I just learned this sunnah and I thank Allah and then you for it.

  4. Bradley M Riccio

    September 23, 2022 at 6:24 PM

    I’m not Muslim but there is wisdom here that has to be shared. This is why I’m not scared of Islam spreading in America, there’s nothing to fear from ancient wisdom and peace being spread. I’m sorry you recieved hate on this post, but I hope you know that there are those of us who do understand that it was western colonialism and not the teachings of your faith that caused this world strife. Much love

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