Silence as Wisdom وَ کَانَ أَکْثَرَ دَهْرِهِ صَامِتاً فَإِنْ...

Silence as Wisdom وَ کَانَ أَکْثَرَ دَهْرِهِ صَامِتاً فَإِنْ قَالَ بَذَّ الْقَائِلِينَ وَ نَقَعَ غَلِيلَ السَّائِلِينَ “He spent most of his life in silence. But when he spoke, he surpassed all speakers and quenched the thirst of the questioners” . [10] One of his admirable and prominent traits was his constant silence.

Samt is the opposite of speech, [11] and it differs from mere silence; silence can be the absence of noise, [12] but Samt refers to silence accompanied by reflection and contemplation,not silence caused by fear or weakness. Thus, when he did speak, he excelled beyond all other speakers and satisfied the longing of the seekers. He quenched their thirst with the ocean of his knowledge. Badh means to surpass, [13] and Naq means to quench.

[14] This trait complements the earlier phrase “wa-kana akthar dahrihi samitan” . Many people may remain silent, yet their silence gives them no benefit of understanding or wisdom. Therefore, this description clarifies that his long periods of silence did not arise from ignorance. Rather, they reflected his social and prominent human traits, so much so that, whenever he did speak, he prevailed over all speakers and claimants. 6.

A Lion in the Thicket وَ کَانَ ضَعِيفاً مُسْتَضْعَفاً فَإِنْ جَاءَ الْجِدُّ فَهُوَ لَيْثُ غَابٍ وَ صِلُّ وَادٍ “He appeared weak and vulnerable (in the eyes of others), but when a moment of serious action arrived, he was like a lion in the forest and a serpent in the valley” . [15] The particle Fa in this sentence indicates that whenever real effort was required, he would rise with the strength of a mighty lion and the swiftness of a desert serpent.

Indeed, he was so deeply adorned with lofty divine values and prominent human traits that although he did not show off his power or abilities, and although enemies assumed they had rendered him powerless, he was a man of action. When duty called, he entered the field of struggle and jihad, revealing his immense strength and capability. 7. Justice Based on Proof لا يُدْلِي بِحُجَّةٍ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ قَاضِياً “He would not present any argument unless he was before the judge” .

[16] Idla means presenting or putting forth something, [17] and Qada means settling or deciding an issue. [18] This characteristic contains two meanings: He would not present an argument or proof unless it was complete, sound, and acceptable in a proper legal setting. He presented his proof only before the one qualified to judge.

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