Al-Amn Magazine

ometimes, a person experiences waves of silence. When you ask about the reason, they may not have a convincing answer. This issues which we experience and share in various ways prompts us to reflect together on a set of questions, including: When do you stop speaking? Is it because silence is sometimes the best answer to certain questions? Or when the person you’re talking to ignores you? Or when someone embarrasses you or insults you with inappropriate language? Or when you’re faced with a situation that makes you lose your mind and thinking? Do you remain silent when you feel that the topic at hand is something you have no knowledge of? Or when you’re conversing with someone who doesn’t deserve respect because they don’t understand the language? Or when you’re sitting with people who find it a means of entertainment to delve into other people’s affairs and private matters? Do you remain silent when you realize that what you feel is greater than words can express? Or when a topic is brought up and you can’t find anything to say? Are you forced to remain silent when you’re conversing with people who have many years of experience beyond yours? Or when you realize that your silence makes others happy? Or when you realize that it’s polite to speak up? Do you keep quiet to avoid lying? Or so you don’t appear to be a sycophant? Finally, do you keep quiet when the topic you’re familiar with isn’t appropriate for the audience, whether in terms of location or timing? Many questions have crossed my mind, and their answers boil down to a fundamental truth, summarized by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God be pleased with him), when he said, «When the mind is perfect, speech diminishes, and with much silence comes awe.» Yes, much talk increases mistakes and is evidence of a weak mind and a fragile personality. This is especially true since we now find many people talking about all aspects of life and arguing about everything, for the sole purpose of argument and self-affirmation. Without any of them realizing that those around them are fully aware of such behavior and have come to understand its aims and objectives. When we say, «If speech is silver, then silence is gold,» this is not a call for introversion or for one to refrain from sharing their concerns with those around them, or to avoid responding to those who ask them, lest they be perceived as a failure, empty talker, or arrogant. In short, silence requires a balanced equation: When to be silent and when to speak? Applying this equation on the ground requires training the mind and soul to implement it. One word remains: If your words are not helpful, then your silence is better, because silence is the most eloquent of all languages. As the noble hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) states, «Whoever believes in God and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.» b i n d a i n a@b a t e l c o . c om . b h Maj. Gen. Mohammed Bin Daina I f t he mi nd i s perfect , speech i s i rre l evant S Whenthemind is perfect, speech diminishes, andwithmuch silencecomes awe LASTWORD