Hadith #8874

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of moderation in speech and the detrimental effects of both excessive and insufficient talking. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith, exploring its underlying wisdom and its alignment with the teachings of the Quran.

The Hadith begins with the statement,

Speaking too much makes the wise one stumble and makes the tolerant one weary.

Here, the word (ikthar) "إكْثارُ" refers to excessive talking or verbosity. It is important to note that excessive speech can lead to negative consequences, affecting both the wise and the tolerant individuals. The wise, who possess knowledge and understanding, may stumble and lose their credibility if they engage in excessive speech without proper reflection. Similarly, the tolerant, who exhibit patience and forbearance, may become weary and exhausted if they are constantly engaged in excessive conversation.

To support the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:205), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.

This verse highlights the importance of remembering Allah internally, without excessive outward speech. It reminds us to maintain a balance between our internal reflections and our external expressions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the believers as those who

turn away from ill speech.

This verse encourages us to refrain from engaging in idle and excessive talk that may lead to negative consequences. It emphasizes the significance of using our speech wisely and purposefully.

The second part of the Hadith advises,

Therefore, do not talk so much that others get fed up and do not be so reticent that you are humiliated.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions against two extremes: excessive talking and complete silence. Excessive talking can lead to others becoming annoyed or fed up, as it may overwhelm them or hinder their ability to express themselves. On the other hand, complete silence can result in humiliation, as it may prevent individuals from effectively communicating their thoughts and ideas.

To further understand the significance of moderation in speech, we can refer to the Quranic teachings. In Surah Al-Isra (17:53), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) saying,

And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.

This verse highlights the importance of choosing our words carefully and speaking in a manner that is pleasing to Allah. It encourages us to prioritize kindness, wisdom, and clarity in our speech, avoiding excessive or harmful words.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to exercise moderation in their speech. It warns against the dangers of excessive talking, which can lead to stumbling and weariness, and also cautions against complete reticence, which can result in frustration and humiliation. By aligning our speech with the teachings of the Quran, we can strive to communicate effectively, respectfully, and purposefully, thereby fostering harmony and understanding among ourselves and others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to speak with moderation and the ability to implement the teachings of the Quran in our daily lives.