Being Silent

Many of us may have heard the phrase “silence is a virtue.” In this post, I will present two authentic traditions, to indicate that it really is. 

Nowadays, many of us are uncomfortable with silence.  In our daily lives we are always surrounded by noise and distractions, which on our subconscious level, make silence an unusual thing in our minds. Amongst our friends, we relate silence to either awkwardness or boredom, being silent isn’t the “fun thing” or the right thing to do. Idle talking has become the norm. Rude and impolite jokes and humour have gained social acceptance to the point that comedians gain respect and wealth from it. In short, all the audio and visual noises and distractions around us, have made us forget the value and virtue of silence.

 

The second tradition is especially very important for the followers of Ahlul bayt (as), the holy progeny of the prophet, peace be upon them all.

So, let us take heed and pray and supplicate to God to help us realize the value of silence once again. 

A change from being the “social butterfly” or the “cool” friend to a “boring” acquaintance, amongst your friends, may not be easy in this world, but in the eyes of God and the Ahlul bayt of His beloved prophet, peace be upon them all, this change is recommended and highly valued. 

Here are the traditions:

1)

Arabic text:

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الْفِقْهِ الْحِلْمُ وَ الْعِلْمُ وَ الصَّمْتُ إِنَّ الصَّمْتَ بَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْحِكْمَةِ إِنَّ الصَّمْتَ يَكْسِبُ الْمَحَبَّةَ إِنَّهُ دَلِيلٌ عَلَى كُلِّ خَيْرٍ

Farsi Translation:

امام رضا (ع) فرمود:

از نشانه‏ هاى فهم (در دين) بردبارى و دانش و خاموشى است، به راستى خاموشى درى است از درهاى حكمت، به راستى خاموشى دوستى آورد، به راستى كه آن دليل هر خوبى است.

English Translation:

Mohammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Mohammad ibn Eissa from Ahmad ibn Mohammad ibn Abi Nasr who has said: "Abu al Hasan Al Ridha (peace be upon him) said: signs of [understanding] jurisprudence include forbearance, knowledge and silence. And silence is a door from multiple doors of wisdom. Silence leads to earning love, it's a proof that everything is good."

2)

Arabic Text:

عَنْهُ ]مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى[ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ إِنَّمَا شِيعَتُنَا الْخُرْسُ

Farsi Translation:

از امام باقر (ع) كه مى‏ فرمود:

همانا شيعيان ما بى ‏زبانند.

English Translation:

He has narrated from Al Hassan ibn Mahbob from Abd-Allah ibn Senan from Abi- Hamza who has said: "I heard Abu ja'far (peace be upon him) say: our followers (Shi’a) are those who are mute [silent]."

Source:

Al-Kafi, Volume 2, Page 113, Traditions #1 & #2