Hadith #8878

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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

أقْلِلْ كَلامَكَ، تَأمَنْ مَلاماً۔

This can be translated as,

Reduce your speech and you will remain safe from censure.

This short but beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) holds great wisdom and guidance for all Muslims.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (aqill) "أقْلِلْ" means to reduce or minimize. It implies the act of restraining oneself and being cautious in the amount of speech one engages in. The word (kalamak) "كَلامَكَ" refers to one's speech or words. And finally, the word (ta'man) "تَأمَنْ" means to be safe or secure, while (malama) "مَلاماً" refers to censure or blame.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Isra (17:36),

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

This verse emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our words and actions, as we will be held accountable for them on the Day of Judgment.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qalam (68:10), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by saying,

So be patient with gracious patience.

This verse teaches us the virtue of patience and restraint, even in the face of adversity or provocation. By reducing our speech, we can cultivate patience and avoid unnecessary conflicts or misunderstandings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our words. Excessive speech can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and even conflicts. By speaking less, we create an environment of peace and tranquility. This Hadith also reminds us of the importance of self-discipline and self-control. When we restrain ourselves from speaking unnecessarily, we develop a habit of thoughtfulness and mindfulness.

Reducing our speech also allows us to listen more attentively to others. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:83),

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse emphasizes the importance of speaking good words to people. By reducing our speech, we can choose our words more carefully, ensuring that they are kind, respectful, and beneficial. This not only strengthens our relationships with others but also reflects the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

Reduce your speech and you will remain safe from censure,

serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their words. By speaking less, we can avoid unnecessary conflicts, cultivate patience, and create an atmosphere of peace. This Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our speech and to choose our words wisely, in accordance with the teachings of the Quran. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to implement this guidance in our lives.