Answering to someone’s question that what does ‘necessary’ and ‘unnecessary’ talk refer to (or what are their differences), eminent Tabeyee, Hazrat ‘Ata Ibne Abi Rabah (R) replied:
Our pious predecessors used to limit their talks into the following FIVE POINTS:
- The recitation of Kitabullah (the Holy Quran) and its discussion
- The narration of the Ahadith and its discussion
- Command the right and forbid the wrong
- Discussion of the Ilm or sacred knowledge
- Essential words of life and livelihood
(Then he said:) Will you deny these verses?
While (appointed) over you there are watchers, who are noble, writers (of the deeds) Sura Infitar: 10-11
When the two receiving angels receive (every human act to record it), seated (one) on the right and (one) on the left. Not a single word is uttered by one, but there is a watcher near him, ready (to record). Sura Qaf: 17-18
(He continued:) If our Book of Deed had been brought forth of us daily, hadn’t he been ashamed by seeing most of those unnecessary talks (recorded)? Won’t he feel pity and say: Alas! Most of the deeds are completely extraneous pertaining to the world and the afterlife! Suwarum-min Hayatut-Tabeyeen
