Is Remaining Silent Always a Sign of Tranquility (Sakina)?

"Is remaining silent always a sign of tranquility (Sakina)?" This question invites us to a profound reflection on the meaning of silence and its relationship with the Quranic concept of "Sakina." The short answer to this question is a definitive "No." Remaining silent, in and of itself and in all circumstances, does not necessarily signify inner peace and tranquility. This is because silence can stem from various roots and indicate diverse internal states, some of which have no connection to true peace, and may even be indicative of anxiety, fear, uncertainty, indifference, or even suppressed anger. To understand this, we must first delve into the concept of "Sakina" in the Holy Quran. Sakina is a Quranic term meaning calmness, tranquility, dignity, and inner assurance that Allah bestows upon His believers. This inner peace is not merely an external silence, but a state of spiritual stability and steadfastness that empowers an individual with resilience and confidence when facing hardships, challenges, fears, and temptations. Allah mentions the descent of Sakina upon the hearts of believers in several verses, such as Surah Al-Fath, verse 4: "He it is Who sent down Sakina (calmness and tranquility) into the hearts of the believers, that they may add faith to their faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise." This verse clearly indicates that Sakina is a divine gift and a state of increased faith, not simply the absence of speech. Sakina adorns a heart that trusts in God in all circumstances and is free from any instability or restlessness, a state that may manifest in silent contemplation or at the peak of expressing truth. Silence, as an external action or inaction, can carry multiple meanings: 1. Positive and Constructive Silence: This type of silence can be a sign of wisdom, deep reflection, contemplation of divine verses and creation, self-restraint, attentive and empathetic listening to others, avoidance of vain and useless talk (laghw), backbiting, lying, or provocative speech, or even politeness and respect in the presence of elders or when hearing the word of God. The Holy Quran invites believers to shun laghw and idle talk (e.g., Surah Al-Mu'minoon, verse 3: "And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (all kinds of idle talk, evil, false statements, and all that Allah has forbidden)."). Such silence can provide space for deep thought, connection with oneself and the Creator, and the recovery of inner peace. This silence, which originates from inner balance and tranquility, can contribute to the manifestation and strengthening of Sakina. In this state, by controlling one's tongue, an individual avoids verbal errors that lead to anxiety, regret, and sin, thereby creating a space for spiritual growth and peace of heart. Silence during prayer and night supplication, silence to hear divine revelation or words of wisdom from imams and scholars, and silence for contemplating creation and God's greatness are all examples of constructive silences that help deepen Sakina in the human heart. These silences are often accompanied by a present heart and awareness, leading to insight and inner peace. 2. Negative and Destructive Silence: This type of silence is not only not a sign of Sakina but can also have unhealthy roots and often stems from weakness, deficiency, or an undesirable internal state. For example: * Silence Born of Fear or Weakness: Sometimes, people remain silent due to fear of consequences, fear of judgment from others, or an inability to defend what is right and confront injustice. This silence is not peaceful; rather, it can lead to inner distress, regret, guilt, and chronic anxiety. The Holy Quran calls upon believers to stand for truth and bear witness to justice, even against themselves or their close relatives (e.g., Surah An-Nisa, verse 135: "O you who have believed, be persistently [in your affairs] maintainers of justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives."). Silence in the face of oppression and corruption is not only reprehensible and described in narrations as the silence of the devil, but it can also make the individual complicit and is certainly never a sign of divine tranquility. Silence out of fear or unwarranted expediency contradicts the spirit of faith and courage. * Silence Born of Indifference or Arrogance: Some individuals choose silence out of indifference to matters around them, societal problems, or the rights of others, or out of pride and self-importance, considering themselves too superior to engage in discussions or show attention to others. This silence also contradicts Sakina, which is a sign of compassion, commitment, and faith, and leads to isolation and distance from divine mercy. * Silence Born of Suppressed Anger or Resentment: Sometimes, silence is a mask for anger or bitterness that an individual cannot express healthily. This silence brings no peace; instead, it burns like fire beneath ashes within the person, robbing them of tranquility and harming relationships. This silence stems from heart diseases, not divine tranquility. * Silence Born of Ignorance: One who remains silent out of ignorance and does not seek knowledge, and remains silent when truth and reality should be spoken, will never attain the peace of knowledge and may mislead themselves and others. The Holy Quran emphasizes both the importance of appropriate silence and the necessity of truthful and appropriate speech. In Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 70, Allah says: "O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate accuracy and righteousness." This verse indicates that faith in Allah is accompanied by "Qawlan Sadeeda" (correct, firm, and appropriate speech; speech that is worthy and proper and guides rightly), not necessarily absolute silence. In many situations, expressing truth, enjoining good and forbidding evil (amr bil ma'ruf wa nahy anil munkar), offering sincere advice, and even defending rights, require speaking. And this speech, if it comes from a confident heart and with a divine motivation, is itself a sign of Sakina and inner peace. One who possesses Sakina speaks the truth calmly and fearlessly, and in their silence, they experience contemplation and peace. An individual possessing Sakina has a balance between speech and silence, using each in its appropriate place; they do not talk excessively nor do they remain silent where they should speak. In conclusion, Sakina is an inner, spiritual state that originates from a deep relationship between humans and Allah and flows through one's being. This tranquility manifests both in moments of meaningful silence and in moments of speaking with wisdom and truth. Therefore, our focus should not be merely on external silence, but rather on cultivating and strengthening that inner peace (Sakina) that Allah has promised. Silence is valuable when it originates from inner tranquility, and speech is valuable when it comes from a confident heart and true faith. Remaining silent is not an end in itself, but a means that can serve peace and spiritual growth, provided it is accompanied by the right intention and stems from a heart imbued with Sakina. An individual possessing Sakina may be completely silent and contemplative at times, and at other moments, speak decisively and without wavering to establish truth and justice. Both states can be signs of Sakina in their heart, as both arise from their stability, assurance, and contentment with divine decree and command. Therefore, more important than silence or speech is its quality and inner origin: Does it originate from divine tranquility and assurance, or from anxiety and deficiency? True Sakina lies in balance and wisdom, revealing the best path in both speech and silence.