Rafed English

Do not talk about what you do not know or speak about what is not required of you

Adapted from: "Imam 'Ali's First Treatise on The Islamic Ethics and Education" by: "Zainol Aabideen Qorbani Lahiji"

   “وَدَعِ القَولَ فِيمَا لا تَعرِف، وَالخِطَابَ فِيمَا لَم تُكَلَّف”

In these sentences, Imam ‘Ali (as) emphasizes two ethical principles:

1. Do not talk on anything you lack information about. This is because your statements might turn out to be false. In such cases you have both told a lie and misled people into ignorance, both of which are religiously forbidden. Such a case would lower one’s social position.
The Prophet (S) told Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As: "What if you are among low and mean people who are united in not keeping their promises, what would you do?"
Abdallah said, "You guide me what to do, O Messenger of Allah".
The Prophet (S) replied:1 “Act on what you know, leave what you don’t know and keep to yourself”.

2. Do not interfere in anything not related to you and so do not speak of anything not concerning you. The Prophet (S) has said: "Among a Muslim’s good deeds is to leave anything that does not concern him."2

Notes:

1. Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah by Ibn Abi’l Hadid, vol.16, pp.63-64; and by Ibn Maytham, vol.5, p.10.

2. Op cit.

 

Share this article

Comments 0

Your comment

Comment description

Latest Post

Most Reviews

MOST READ