Human being is social and civilized by creation. He cannot live alone in this world. He needs to live with people. He needs to communicate with them in order to meet both his own needs and those of others.
Communication is the reflection of emotions on actions. Every person wants their own feelings and thoughts to be respected. For people, this common desire is the main source of communication. A person who lives only for his own personal world sees the demands of others as unnecessary. And this is a sign of selfishness.
The most important place where a person needs communication is his family. Communication is the foundation for the family. Correct communication in family life is of great importance for the happiness and peace of the family. The continuation of family life depends on the healthy communication between the individuals. Families with communication problems cannot be happy.
And our beloved Prophet said, “The most perfect of believers in terms of Iman are the most beautiful in terms of morality; and the best of them are the ones who treat family members in the best way.”
When family life is enlightened by iman, relationships between family members develop and become more beautiful. Individuals try to act not only by considering the worldly life, but by thinking of an eternal union in an eternal life. Sympathy, compassion, love and respect are truly seen in the family. The level of morality is high in the family. And this results in living the family life in the best way.
Young people are attracted to new experiences, some of which may not be beneficial to them. This can happen either through their interactions with their friends or through what they discover online. Getting through to our children requires constant communication. if communication is lacking and a close bond is non-existent, it would be difficult to cultivate trust between family members.
This requires a continuous effort on our part, as this is not something that can be achieved in a short time. We have to consider this as part of our role as parents to protect our children from being influenced by unhealthy elements that can have a negative impact on their lives, possibly damaging their future.
Effective communication is beyond responding but also exercises our art of listening. By listening to others without pre-judgmental views, you are already on the way to building a good relationship with people around you. Always remember to communicate with mannerisms (adab) regardless of their age including children and the less privileged, your seniors, leaders, and teachers.
Here are some mannerisms in the communication of Prophet Muhammad SAW that he displayed throughout His life.
Every Muslim will know that the act of smiling is a Sunnah and it brings many rewards. Smiling is an open invitation to others that you are open to exchanging a conversation and a sign of goodwill. Prophet Muhammad SAW was always cheerful and smiling in the face of his Companions to the extent that Abdullah ibn Al-Harith ibn Hazm said, “I have never seen anyone who smiles more than the Prophet does.” (At-Tirmidhi). In addition, Prophet said, “Smiling in your brother’s face is an act of charity” (At-Tirmidhi).
A smile is a wonderful gesture to start any conversation positively and remove any negative thoughts. Make it a practice to go into a conversation with a calm heart, seek Allah SWT to provide goodness and guidance, and have a smile, to begin with. You will be surprised at how much good vibes it can bring to the table even if one party is feeling sad, worried, or upset.
While engaging in a conversation, bear in mind that you are responsible for the words you express and the feelings you invoke in the other party. Good conversations infused with good, respectful words not only will bring in effective results but also be rewarded by Allah SWT.
Take note of the volume and tone of your voice when communicating. Avoid raising your voice to make your point. Instead, choose words that will describe your feelings and thoughts in a more civilized and respectful manner. When speaking to the elders or your teachers, respect their position and status. “And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice. When speaking with others, one should use clear expressions and words so that the other person understands and the conversation is relevant. It had always been the habit of Prophet SAW to always be eloquent in his speech.
Start and End with Salam
Exchanging greetings in Islam is the best expression of our faith. By saying, say “اسلام عليكم ”, you are already making a dua to the person that translates, “May the peace of Allah be upon you.” Subhanallah. Abu Hurairah RA reported the Messenger as saying, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote salam amongst you”.
Starting a conversation by saying the salam has a deeper meaning as we are praying and wishing the best for other Muslims. Similarly, ending the conversation with Salam also encourages a positive closure to any discussion or conversation. More importantly, giving the salam is beyond uttering it but it should be made in full faith and sincerity.
Refrain from Slander and Unproductive Speech
It is common for people to come together and share news, information, and stories about each other. avoid unproductive conversations and refrain from gossiping, lying, and backbiting.
The Prophet’s Companion Abu Hurayrah RA, quoted Prophet Muhammad SAW, “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He then said, “It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike.” Someone asked him, “But what if what I say is true?” Allah’s Messenger said, “If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him.”
If we are unable to verify certain information, avoid speculating on them. Always best to seek answers and clarification from the source. In a digital society, avoid sharing or implicating others or name-calling on social media as well.
When engaging in a conversation, being pleasant should always come first. However, as humans, we are easily driven by emotions. Despite our best attempts, we may undoubtedly encounter unpleasant individuals. Try to avoid confrontations, avoid getting into arguments, and lose your cool.
During disagreements, Prophet Muhammad SAW always remained calm and wise. Arguing pointlessly leads to confrontations and quarrels, during which a person loses consciousness and becomes irritated. Thus, it is best to stay cheerful during the conversation, be patient, and calmly walk away if others speak negatively.
These are some of the Sunnah ways of communicating with others. By emulating the communication way of Prophet Muhammad SAW, we are not only earning the blessings of Allah SWT but also resulting in building productive relationships among the Ummah. May the Almighty Allah give us the will and desire to act upon the best ever way of life just like our Prophet SAW did. Insya Allah and Aamiin.
