Hadith #5821

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

Silence is the adornment of knowledge and the symbol of forbearance [and judiciousness].

Let us delve into the meanings and implications of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (samtu) "صَمْتُ" in Arabic refers to silence or abstaining from speech. It is derived from the root word (samat) "صَمَتَ", which means to be quiet or still. The word (zayn) "زَيْنُ" means adornment or beauty, while (ilm) "عِلْمِ" means knowledge. Thus, the phrase (zayn al-'ilm) "زَيْنُ العِلْمِ" can be translated as the adornment of knowledge.

The second part of the Hadith mentions the word (hilm) "حِلْمِ", which means forbearance, patience, or self-restraint. It is a quality of controlling one's emotions and reacting calmly in difficult situations. The word (unwan) "عُنْوانُ" means symbol or sign. Therefore, the phrase (unwan al-hilm) "عُنْوانُ الحِلْمِ" can be translated as the symbol of forbearance or judiciousness.

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

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 emphasizes the importance of understanding and comprehension. True knowledge is not merely acquired through reading or listening, but through contemplation and reflection. By remaining silent, one can focus on understanding the knowledge they possess and internalize its wisdom. Silence allows for deep introspection and the ability to connect with the essence of knowledge.

Additionally, silence is a means of self-restraint and forbearance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134),

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

Silence in the face of adversity or provocation demonstrates strength and self-control. It is a manifestation of forbearance and judiciousness. By remaining silent, one avoids unnecessary arguments and conflicts, and instead chooses to respond with patience and wisdom. This silence is not a sign of weakness, but rather a display of inner strength and control over one's emotions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, understood the importance of silence in acquiring and embodying knowledge. He would often remain silent in gatherings, carefully observing and reflecting upon the discussions taking place. This silence allowed him to absorb the knowledge being shared and respond with profound insights when the time was right.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that silence is not a void to be filled with idle chatter, but rather a powerful tool for acquiring knowledge and demonstrating forbearance. It is through silence that we can truly understand and internalize the knowledge we possess, and it is through silence that we can respond to challenges with wisdom and self-restraint. May we strive to adorn our knowledge with silence and embody the symbol of forbearance in our lives.