Answered by: Maulana Muddasser Dhedhy
Question
Assalamu ‘Alaikum. I’m having a hard time finding the source of the following saying (not sure if it is a hadith or a saying of a Sahabi or scholar): “Two things beautify a person: silence and leaving which does not concern him.”
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
There are numerous narrations in which silence and refraining from indulging in things that do not concern a person are encouraged. Some are as follows:
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed among the excellence of a person’s Islam is that he leaves what does not concern him.” [At-Tirmidhi].
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be hospitable to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain well the ties of blood relationship; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, must speak good or remain silent”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is silent, he is saved.” [At-Tirmidhi].
A statement with the exact words provided in the question could not be found using the current available resources.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Muddasser Dhedhy
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham