Author: Mohajer Azizi
Personable Muslim (15th part)
Negative Consequences of Talkativeness
1. people hating: People don’t like a talkative person because healthy human nature doesn’t favor someone who talks excessively and exhibits selfish behavior while speaking.
2. Depriving others of the opportunity to speak: Talking too much and not allowing others to speak underestimates the importance of the other party, leading to a decrease in the talkative person’s character, status, and dignity in the eyes of others. In contrast, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) attentively listened when spoken to, showed respect, and treated others with love and kindness. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, recounted, “Whenever a man spoke to the Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him, he would bow his head or raise it so as not to trouble the speaker.”
3. Not benefiting from the words of others: Excessive talking prevents a person from listening to others, denying them the opportunity to speak while he remains preoccupied with speaking. A talkative individual, consumed by the urge to speak, expends energy on talking and disregards the need to hear.
4. Losing the motivation to act: Excessive talkers often lack the drive to act or utilize the valuable insights shared by others due to their verbosity. In contrast, true scholars and mystics engage in less talking, actively listen to beneficial teachings, and demonstrate their wisdom through action.
5. Being exposed to mistakes and slips: Imam Yusuf Qarzawi, may Allah have mercy on him, emphasized that excessive talking leads to errors, damaging others’ reputation and engaging in harmful gossip. Silence, he suggests, is vital for maintaining one’s integrity and should be balanced with meaningful speech aligned with the pleasure of Allah Almighty.
It is essential to ensure that speeches strike a balance between brevity and completeness, neither vague nor overly long, to capture the audience’s interest effectively. A narration from Muslim relayed by Jabir bin Samurah indicates that the Prophet of Allah emphasized a moderate approach in prayers and sermons, neither excessively short nor prolonged.
Islam cautions against irrelevant and unnecessary speech, as stated by the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, through Hazrat Abu Huraira’s narration. A conscientious Muslim emphasizes action over words, practicing discretion in speech and demonstrating respect towards others.
A personable Muslim values moderation and balance in all aspects of life, recognizing success in such principles. This includes speaking considerately while acknowledging the perspectives of others. A person of character understands the negative impacts of talkativeness on personal integrity and chooses to communicate gently, avoiding harsh speech, as advised by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
