Hadith #5838

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

In this profound saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to embrace the virtue of silence, while emphasizing the importance of eloquence and knowledge. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The first key word in this Hadith is (samootan) "صَمُوتاً", which means "silence" or "being silent." Silence, when used wisely, can be a powerful tool for a person seeking knowledge and wisdom. It allows one to observe, reflect, and absorb the knowledge around them. The silence mentioned here is not about being inarticulate or unable to speak, but rather about choosing silence as a means of self-control and gaining wisdom.

The second important word is (zeenatu) "زينَةُ", which means "embellishment" or "adornment." Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes silence as the adornment of a scholar. This implies that a person of knowledge who remains silent when necessary is seen as dignified and respected. Their silence adds value to their words when they do speak, as it shows that they have carefully considered their thoughts before sharing them.

The third word is (sitr) "سِتْرُ", which means "cloak" or "covering." Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) refers to silence as a cloak that hides the ignorance of the ignorant. This means that remaining silent can protect a person from exposing their lack of knowledge or understanding. It serves as a shield against speaking without proper knowledge and potentially spreading misinformation.

To understand the significance of silence and its connection to knowledge, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:179), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the importance of understanding and comprehension. Remaining silent allows us to listen and learn, enabling us to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. It is through this understanding that we can avoid falling into ignorance and heedlessness.

Another verse that supports the concept of silence as a virtue is found in Surah An-Nahl (16:46), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Or that Allah may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs), so that there be no escape for them (from Allah's punishment)?

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is aware of everything, even our innermost thoughts and intentions. It serves as a reminder to be cautious with our words and actions, and to choose silence when necessary, so as not to invite the wrath of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith encourages us to cultivate the virtue of silence in our lives. By doing so, we can enhance our knowledge, protect ourselves from ignorance, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. Let us strive to be individuals who choose silence wisely, using it as a means to adorn our knowledge and shield ourselves from the pitfalls of ignorance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to embrace the virtue of silence and guide us on the path of knowledge and righteousness.