Art of Communication

55:1
55:1

55:1. The Most Beneficent (Allah)!

55:2
55:2

55:2. Has taught (you mankind) the Qur'an (by His Mercy).

55:3

55:3
55:3. He created man.

55:4
55:4

55:4. He taught him eloquent speech.

The word communication generally means the transfer of information

Communication has three major components.
1. The Speaker
2. The Message
3. The Listener

Communication is the basic difference between human and animals. Animals are believed to
react automatically, in a stereotyped [similar manner] and predictable way. But, human behaviors
are under control, and human language is creative and unpredictable. It is generally assumed that
only humans have language. This is how Allah has honored us. So we have to be very careful
when we communicate with others. And communication is a combination of speaking well and
listening well.

Words that we speak have a greater impact than we may think. One might say a single word of
phrase that may spoil ones life here and hereafter. One may say a single word or phrase which
may be so meaningful and which may please Allah and raises his status here and hereafter.
Alllah says in the Quran

Allah says, Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and
the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah. (Quran, Al-
Baqarah 2:83).
The Prophet said, A good word is also a charitable deed. (Muslim)
The Prophet also said, Ward off the Fire even if by giving half a date in charity. If you could
not afford that then utter a kind word. (al-Bukhari and Muslim).

There is a famous saying

Mind your thoughts It becomes your words
Mind your words it becomes your actions
Mind your actions it becomes your habit
Mind your habits it becomes your character
Mind your character it becomes your destiny.

So we have to be careful in handling words. So whenever we recall someone, immediately what

comes to our mind is what he has said.
Prophet said

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that Allahs Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day
should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day
should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last
Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty
talk). [Sahih al-Bukhari]
The importance of this hadith
This hadith discusses some of the ways a Muslims faith should affect the way he relates
to others. Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalani writes: This hadith speaks about three matters, and in
doing so it brings together everything that good manners entail with respect to both word
and deed.
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day
This is a conditional sentence. It is repeated three times in this hadith, each time with a
different condition. The first of these three conditions is to either speak a good word or
remain silent, the second is to show hospitality to ones neighbors, and the third is to
show hospitality to ones guests. This hadith is showing us that these three qualities are
among the many qualities of faith. A person who fails to fulfill any of these conditions is
a person whose faith is incomplete and in want of improvement.
Speaking a good word or remaining silent
This is an encouragement to speak what is good and beneficial; at the same time it is a
warning, cautioning us to be careful in what we say, lest we say something that is harmful
or false. When we have nothing beneficial to say, silence is golden.

It is part of a Muslims faith to speak the truth and to say things that bring about benefit
to others. Allah says:

33:70
33:70

O you who believe! Fear Allah and speak a word that is right.
33:71






33:71



He will set right for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah
and His Messenger has certainly attained a great achievement. [Surah al-Ahzab : 70-71]
Once, Mu`adh b. Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) to inform him of some good work that would admit him into Paradise and
distance him from the Hellfire. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
mentioned to him the virtues of many good deeds, then said: Shall I inform you of the
foundation of all of that?
Mu`adh said: Certainly.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took hold of his tongue and
said: Restrain yourself from this.
Mu`adh (may Allah be pleased with him) then asked: O Prophet of Allah! Are we held to
task for the things that we say?
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: May your mother be
bereaved of you, O Mu`adh! Does anything topple people headlong into the Hellfire save
the harvests of their tongues? [Sunan al-Tirmidhi and Sunan Ibn Majah]
We should avoid speaking ill of others. We should rather remain silent unless we are seeking
justice for some wrong that has been perpetrated against us.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Indeed a servant will speak a
word pleasing to Allah that he thinks to be insignificant, but because of it Allah raises
him by many degrees. And indeed a servant will speak a word displeasing to Allah that he
thinks to be insignificant, but because of it, He will consign him to the Hellfire. [ Sahh
al-Bukhr ]
Now comes the listening part.
Speaking well or listening well- which one is difficult? Both are difficult
Listening is one of the important part of communication.
Be a good listener:
Listen patiently and never interrupt the speaker, as the Prophet (PBUH) never interrupted a
speaker till he ended his speech.

67:10
67:10

And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the
companions of the Blaze."

Being Right or Kind- which is most important?

Volume 8, Book 81, Number 779

Narrated 'Aisha:
The Quraish people became very worried about the Makhzumiya lady who had committed theft.
They said, "Nobody can speak (in favor of the lady) to Allah's Apostle and nobody dares do that
except Usama who is the favorite of Allah's Apostle. " When Usama spoke to Allah's Apostle
about that matter, Allah's Apostle said, "Do you intercede (with me) to violate one of the legal
punishment of Allah?" Then he got up and addressed the people, saying, "O people! The nations
before you went astray because if a noble person committed theft, they used to leave him, but if a
weak person among them committed theft, they used to inflict the legal punishment on him. By
Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad committed theft, Muhammad will cut off her
hand.!"

When express our anger we are never sort of words but when we express our anger, all the words
in the dictionary will come out. So we need express appreciation. As people to appreciate, they
will fail, but if ask them to express the ill feelings, thats all.

3:159
3:159

So by mercy from Allah , [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude
[in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and
ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely
upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

I was walking with Messenger of Allah ( )who was wearing a Najrani cloak with a very thick
border when a bedouin happened to meet him. He took hold of the side of his cloak and drew it
violently. I noticed that the violence of jerk had bruised the neck of Messenger of Allah (). The
bedouin said: "O Muhammad! Give me out of Allah's wealth that you possess." Messenger of
Allah ( )turned to him and smiled and directed that he should be given something.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

Two men came from the East and addressed the people who wondered at their eloquent speeches
On that Allah's Messenger ( )said. Some eloquent speech is as effective as magic.'

Express to express and not to impress.

We are very good lawyers for our own mistakes and very good judge for others mistakes

Let us recall some fantastic communication tips from the sunnah.

1. Smile:

2. Pay attention to the tone and volume:

3. Start with the Islamic greeting of peace:

4. Shake hands:

5. Inquire about people:

6. Remember not all are the same: Consider peoples different characteristics and differences
while communicating. Keep in mind their age, status, temperament and other factors.

7. Teach at every opportunity:

8. Refrain from the common evils of the tongue:

9. Choose simple, concise words:

10. Stay away from argumentation:

11. End with the greeting: