Islam has specify several characteristic of a good Muslim, one of them is keeping silent. Being silent is extremely important in Islam that the Holy Quran also stressed about. It is more than just be quiet and not talking too much, but it’s about a good akhlaq which defined the real Muslim. Even though it seemed simple, but not everyone is capable of being silent.
In some case, being silent is not good but in most situation it helps a lot. Other than trying to make friends with others, it is better to stay silent because a tongue can act like sword that can kill you.
So what are the benefits of this highly recommended act? Here are some benefits of being silent in Islam.
1. Easy to Reflect On Things
By being silent, we will talk less, close our mouth and open our mind wider at the same time. We could observe out surrounding and have a better understanding about what really happen. It freed us from prior judgement and we will be able to organize our thoughts in the end to reflect about things a lot. Also read How to Gain Forgiveness in Islam
2. Showing Wisdom
The more someone is silent, the wiser he gets. Wisdom is not a thing can gained out of nothing but through experience and reflection in every single thing.
“The wiser the man is, the less he will speak.” Talking less also increases the value of the words as Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq once said “one knows the value of his speech will also know the value of silence. In fact, if one adopts silence, he will value his speech and therefore guard it like he guards his wealth.” (Imam Ali)
3. Calming the Mind
One of the biggest benefit of being silent in Islam in calming our mind and resulted in a more positive manner. As we are silent and reflect on things, we can make a good decision for things. It also get rid of stress and anxiety. Also read Importance of Reflection of Islam
4. Showing the Intelligent Side
An intelligent person tend to be more silent. He will never be careless of what he may say but thinking deeply about it, over and over instead. He never says foolish things, just like Imam Ali said. Since having too much talk is derived by nafs.
5. Guarding Us from Wrong Ideas
A big fight and misunderstanding often caused by speech or talk. Thus, Islam strongly recommended Muslims to keep their silence for their own sake. Being silent serves as guardian from wrong ideas between people. Also read Misconceptions about Islam
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6. Strengthening the Faith to Allah SWT
Think about Allah SWT in silence, so that in between we can strengthening our faith to Allah SWT. It prevents us from carelessly speaking that lead into trouble.
Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Those who believe in Allah and doom day should always speak good deed or stay silent.”
7. Make the Heart Stronger
A heart that loves to speak a lot is usually full of illness. This is the benefit of being silent lays. It makes our heart stronger.
As reported by Ibn Umar, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Don’t you talk much unless for zikr to Allah, because much talking leads to indomitable heart and the furthest human from Allah is the one with indomitable heart, those who unwilling to receive guidance.” (Tirmidhi)
8. Protecting from the Sins
People committing sins from time to time and before we know it, our sins become bigger and bigger. To avoid committing sins, there are one deed that we can do: being silent. People who can’t keep silent will be easier to make sins and even worse, causing others in trouble. If we are unable to keep silent, make noise by reciting dhikr. Also read How To Repent In Islam For Major Sins
9. Silent is a Good Deed
Doing good deed is an obligation for every Muslims and it’s the fastest way for us to enter Jannah. There is one good deed that is the easiest to be done without having to try much, that is being silent.
As reported by Ar Razi, Ali ibn Abi Thalib said, “No good in silence when it comes to knowledge, just as there is no good in speaking when it comes to ignorance.”
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10. Silent is Gold
There is an old saying that silent is gold. Silence is indeed gold since it gives people to think twice before he talks. It is to filter whether things that he is about to say is appropriate or not. Also read Benefit of Talking Less in Islam
11. Sometimes Silent is Better
Silence is the best protector we can have. We won’t be wasting out times for blurting out unnecessary things that won’t do any good for us. By using the time better, we also get closer to Allah SWT.
12. No Need to Apologize
We have seen many people has to apologize to others since they talk about things that they are not intentionally said. But this will never happen to people who keep their silence.
So those are all the benefits of being silent in Islam. After understanding that being silent turns to be highly beneficial, we should be talking less and immersing in the silent in most situation. Being silent is gold, and it better to hold up the unnecessary at times.