The Silence of our guide Rasulullaah SAW

Hadrat Ubaadah bin Saamit r.a narrates that Rasulullaah SAW was once out with his companions. As he rode, one of them stepped out ahead of him.
Hadrat Mu'aadh bin Jabal r.a said, "O, Rasulullah SAW! I pray that Allah takes our lives before yours. May Allah never show us the day (of your demise), but should we see it, what deeds should we carried out after you? May my parents be sacrificed for you, O Rasulullaah SAW! Should it be Jihaad in the path of Allah?"

" Rasulullaah SAW replied, "Jihaad in the path of Allaah is an excellent deed, but people have become accustomed to it. (What you should be doing is) Something that exercises greater restraint (on the carnal self)."

"Then, fasting & sadaqah?" Rasulullaah SAW commented, "but people have become accustomed to it. (What you should be doing is) Something that exercises greater restraint (on the carnal self)"

Hadrat Mu'aadh r.a then went on to mention every type of good deed, but each time Rasulullaah SAW's reply was, "but people have become accustomed to it. (What you should be doing is) Something that exercises greater restraint (on the carnal self)."

Hadrat Mu'aadh r.a eventually asked, "If people have become accustomed to these deeds, what is that thing that exercises greater restraint (on the carnal self)?" Pointing to his mouth, Rasulullaah SAW said, "Remaining silent at all times save when speaking what is good". "Will we be taken to task for what our tongues speak?" Hadrat Mu'aadh r.a asked in surprise. Striking his hand on Hadrat Mu'aadh r.a's thigh, Rasulullaah SAW's said something like, "Your mother ought to have lost you!"

He then added, "It is because of what the tongue speaks that people will be thrown headlong into Jahannam. Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day should speak only what is good or remain silent about evil. Speak what is good and you will reap the rewards. Remain silent about evil and you will be safe". (Tabraani. Haythami Vol.10 Pg.299 has commented on the chain of narrators)

*The story/hadith above is an excerption from The Lives of the Sahabah Vol 2 by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Kandelvi.

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