LessonsPeople's Rights, Comprehensive Counsel, Backbiting, and the Nature of Worldly Life (Accounts 28–32)Quiz

عَلَيْكَ بِطُولِ الصَّمْتِ
“Adhere to prolonged silence.”

The counsel concerns restraint from idle, harmful and sinful speech. It cannot mean that one should never testify truthfully, answer a necessary question, support an oppressed person or give sincere advice. The same account also commands قُلِ الْحَقَّ—“Speak the truth.”

فَإِنَّهُ مَطْرَدَةٌ لِلشَّيْطَانِ
“For it helps drive the devil away.”

الصَّمْت is a verbal noun meaning silence; عَوْنٌ means an aid. The guiding principle is controlled speech that avoids backbiting, fruitless argument and regret, not abandoning speech when speaking is a duty.

Opening interactive controls...

Silence as restraint, not neglect

People's Rights, Comprehensive Counsel, Backbiting, and the Nature of Worldly Life (Accounts 28–32)

عَلَيْكَ بِطُولِ الصَّمْتِ
“Adhere to prolonged silence.”

The counsel concerns restraint from idle, harmful and sinful speech. It cannot mean that one should never testify truthfully, answer a necessary question, support an oppressed person or give sincere advice. The same account also commands قُلِ الْحَقَّ—“Speak the truth.”

فَإِنَّهُ مَطْرَدَةٌ لِلشَّيْطَانِ
“For it helps drive the devil away.”

الصَّمْت is a verbal noun meaning silence; عَوْنٌ means an aid. The guiding principle is controlled speech that avoids backbiting, fruitless argument and regret, not abandoning speech when speaking is a duty.