pleasure and pain, and so forth. These are present within the soul, and a person is aware of them; describing, explaining, and expressing them, however, is another matter.

Not everyone who knows something can describe it. This is why someone who can do so is called an articulate speaker. Clearly, knowledge is not the same as speech.

Hence the saying:
“Knowledge is of two kinds: knowledge in the heart and knowledge on the tongue. Knowledge in the heart is beneficial knowledge, while knowledge on the tongue is Allah’s proof against His servants.”

This has been narrated by al-Hasan directly from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), with the Companion omitted from the chain of transmission. It has also been said that these are al-Hasan’s own words, which is more likely.

‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“You live in a time when those with understanding are many and orators are few, when those who give are many and those who ask are few. A time will come upon you when orators are many and those with understanding are few, when those who give are few and those who ask are many.”

A scholar whose heart has gained understanding is different from an orator who speaks with his tongue. The heart may attain profound understanding and knowledge without its possessor speaking