COMMUNICATE
EFFECTIVely BY FOLLOWING THE SUNNAH
Communication is key to all relationships, whether
business, friendship, marriage, offspring etc. We
communicate with people on a daily basis and there are
many etiquettes to be followed depending on the person
you are communicating with. The Sunnah of our beloved
Prophet (SAW) has taught us everything we need to know,
including manners and etiquettes of communicating with
people. If we follow the Sunnah when communicating
with others we would not only be successful in our
endeavor but would be earning ourselves a great deal
of reward in the hereafter. Here are a few fantastic
communication tips from the Sunnah; please note that our
intentions of communication must be pure and sincere,
and unnecessary communication with non-mahrams
should be avoided as much as possible.
Smile:
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity.”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi]
Before you start talking, smile! This is an instant
ingredient to start any conversation positively and to
remove any past ill feelings that could be present.
Smiling brings joy to the giver and the receiver (imagine
being both!).
Pay attention to the tone and volume:
Beware of your tone and the volume of your voice. Your
tone determines whether you will make your relationship
or break it. Any undesirable loudness in your voice
could put people off and make any further attempts to
communicate futile.
“And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice;
indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of
donkeys.” [Qur’an: Chapter 31, Verse 19]
Start with the Islamic greeting of peace:
Whether you know this Muslim or not, the greeting of
peace or saying ‘Assalaamu alaykum’ (peace be upon you)
44 | Ihsaan | Issue 3
is recommended. It will
repel hatred and create
love between you.
“A man came to the
Prophet (SAW) and
said: Peace be upon
you! He responded
to his salutation.
He then sat down.
The Prophet (SAW)
said: Ten [rewards].
Another man came
and said: Peace and
Allah’s mercy be upon
you! He responded to
his salutation when
he sat down. He said:
Twenty. Another man
came and said: Peace
and Allah’s mercy and
blessings be upon you!
He responded to him
and said when he sat
down: and blessings
be upon you! He
responded to him
and said when he sat
down: Thirty.” [Sunan
Abi Dawud]
Habituate yourself
with saying the full and
complete greeting and
earn 30 rewards every
single time you greet
someone!
Shake hands:
Accompany your greeting
with shaking hands (if you
are greeting your mahram
or a person of your
gender).
“There are no two
Muslims who meet
and shake hands, but
they will be forgiven
before they part.”
[Sunan Ibn Majah]
Inquire about people:
Ask them how they are
doing and inquire about
their health and well-
being and that of their
family and friends. They
will feel loved and cared
for.
Remember not all are
the same:
Consider people’s
different characteristics
and differences while
communicating. Keep in
mind their age, status,
temperam