We are bombarded with noise Telephone, Television, Internet, Portable Media, Music, Conversations, advertising billboards, Internet. There is no single minute of silence in our daily activities anymore. We are basically intoxicated with talk and noise. This is not a good thing as centuries of wisdom shows. We are being tought speaking up is preferable to saying nothing even if we have nothing important to say. It is evident in our meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews and anywhere that we meet today to discuss issues. In fact, some folks are feeling panic attacks if there is silence, they sleep in Music and noise.
The truth is, most of the time saying nothing is preferable to speaking. Life would have been much simpler and more enriching if we learned to be silent when we have nothing important to say. The issue of silence and its virtues is a subject spoken about by the great prophets, philosophers and sages of all times. We cannot find more clearer praise of silence than the following two quotes:
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (Muhammed) (pbuh) said, “He who believes in Allah (God) and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent” [Muslim].
Abraham Lincoln reportedly once said, “Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
Think about those two quotes and reflect upon it. Imagine how many people are talking nonsense and causing so much trouble around the world. The Rwandan genocide was caused by some leaders running their mouth.
Think about how many people thought they were saying the smart thing but found out they are in hot water and eventually appolized in live TV or got fired.
Silence is sometimes golden!
