Speak Good or Stay Silent

Keeping away from idle and harmful speech is the tongue's most valuable use.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that a person should either speak good or remain silent. Choosing silence over needless, empty and harmful words is the tongue at its most mature. Every word carries a responsibility, and that responsibility makes us more selective and more considerate.

What is the hadith source of this sunnah?

This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.

• B6475 Buhârî, Rikâk, 23
• M173 Müslim, Îmân, 74

More sunnahs in Speech Etiquette

As a table with references: Speech Etiquette sunnahs.

• Never Lying: Keeping away from lying, even in jest, builds trust.
• Keeping Away from Backbiting: Speaking about someone behind their back wounds them. The Prophet strongly warned against backbiting.
• Not Interrupting: Listening to someone without cutting them off while they speak is respect made concrete.
• Correcting Gently: Gentleness adds beauty to any task; the Prophet advised this.
• Controlling Anger: Controlling yourself in a moment of anger is the shortest way to be spared words you would regret.
• Beginning Speech in the Name of Allah: Beginning an important matter of speech by remembering Allah brings blessing to the words.