Correspondence of Hazrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (rahimahullah)
Condition:
I speak too much. I make a promise to myself that I will now speak less, but once I start speaking, I forget about my promise and again speak too much. A lot of my time is wasted in excessive speaking.
Please guide me and assist me to overcome this weakness.
Answer:
Try to spend the majority of your time in silence. If there is a need for you to speak then say what you need to and thereafter remain silent. Keep yourself occupied in studying and in your other work and tasks.
Initially, it will be difficult to abstain from speaking, and it will serve as a discipline for the nafs. Through this exercise, you will gradually learn to be cautious and avoid excessive speech and speaking without thinking beforehand.
Nevertheless, there is no harm in a little light heartedness and a bit of laughter. In fact, this is essential for one’s health in today’s times. However, refrain from uttering anything that is sinful.
(Solutions to Spiritual Maladies for the Lovers of Allah Ta‘ala, pg. 199)