In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Ibn al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about the statement of Luqman, peace be upon him: “If speech is from silver, then indeed silence is from gold”. He said:

“Its meaning is that if speech in obedience to Allah were from silver, then indeed remaining silent (to avoid) being disobedient to Allah is from gold”.

The people discussed in the presence of Al-Ahnaf Ibn Qais, may Allah have mercy upon him, regarding which of the two is more virtuous: remaining silent or speaking? The people said: “Silence is more virtuous”. So, Al-Ahnaf said:

“Speaking (good) is more virtuous because the virtue of silence does not go beyond the one who remains silent whereas good speech benefits the one who hears it”.

An Excerpt from “Jami Al-Ulum Wal Hikam”. Pages 247-248. Publisher: Dar Ibn Rajab 1st Edition 1423H (2002)