By Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah
Etiquettes of the Mobile Phone
Islam has never been opposed to advancement. However, certain advancements are such that together with their benefits come much harm. Whilst mobile technology and the mobile phone in particular has revolutionised the way we live, it is important that we utilise such technology appropriately.
Crude Manners
It is important to realise that there are certain etiquettes of speaking on the phone. For example when calling someone, many people do not first ask the person they are calling whether it is convenient for them to speak at that very moment. They simply begin a long conversation without any regard for the inconvenience they cause the person they have called. There are yet others who, whilst in the company of others, answer phone calls and begin to casually converse with whoever has called them. Doing this is akin to turning your face away from those in your company whilst in the middle of a conversation and engaging in conversation with someone else without any explanation or apology to the first. Such behaviour is indeed inappropriate and a reflection of crude manners.
Robber of Time
The mobile phone, whilst being a very useful item, can prove to be a robber of time too. People feel obliged to utilise the free minutes and texts they have within their contract. If one has an allowance of 500 minutes or 500 texts within his talk plan, it is not necessary to utilise all these minutes or texts. By calling people or texting them only to use up the allowance, we are wasting valuable time which could have been utilised in productive activities.
Text Messages
Nowadays, many people send 'Jumu‘ah Mubarak' text every week to friends and associates. The contents of many of these texts are not authentic and sometimes not in line with Islamic teachings. One needs to be cautious before forwarding any message of this nature. Many people forward these messages just because they apparently sound good irrespective of the message being incorrect. Do not forward any message until you are sure of its authenticity.
If you are keen to propagate the beautiful teachings of Islam by using the text facility then make sure it is something beneficial, correct and authentic. Moreover, the day of Jumu‘ah should not be fixed for this; any day and every day should be made mubarak by conveying a piece from the teachings of our beautiful dīn.
Name at the End of Text
Whenever you send a text message, it is important to write your name at the end of the text, because it is possible that the person you are texting has not saved your number on his mobile. As a result, he will be confused and inconvenienced when he receives the text due to not knowing who the sender is.
In The Masjid
When attending the masjid one should switch off his mobile. Failure to do so will result in one being disrespectful to the house of Allāh as well as being a means of disturbance to others if the phone were to ring. It is prudent not to even leave the phone in vibration mode. In this situation if the phone were to receive a call during salāh, not only will it divert the phone owner's attention it will also disturb the person next to him. Many people immediately after the completion of salāh check their phones for possible missed calls or messages. This shows that although one was physically standing in the court of Allāh, mentally he was elsewhere. Thus we should switch our phones off before entering the masjid and not pay attention towards them until we leave.
Haram Sharīf
Many people would not even dream of answering a phone call whilst in the masjid when they are in their localities. However we observe the very same people freely using the mobile phone in the Haram Sharīf in Makkah and Madīnah. One should make a firm resolution and refrain from this for this leads to neglect and many other wrongs whilst in blessed places.
Musical Ring Tone
We should make sure that we have an appropriate simple ring tone on our mobile phone. To keep a musical ring tone is harām as the playing of music, or being a means of it being played is a sin. It is quite unfortunate that even when in Haramayn Sharīfayn whilst performing tawāf or presenting salām to the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam, the musical tones of mobile phones are heard.
This is harām and a major sin. Safeguard yourself from such things that distance you from the Creator.
'Islamic' Ring Tones
The adhān, salām, tilāwah of the Glorious Qur’ān, nāt and nashīd are used as ring tones by many on mobile phones. The adhān has a set time and a purpose and should only be announced at the time for the stipulated purpose. Salām also has a specific purpose which is to greet one another. The Glorious Qur' ān is the word of Allāh and has been sent for guidance of mankind. The Shari’ah has stipulated many rulings in regard to this great book. Nāt and nashīd are recited to inculcate and increase the love for our beloved Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam in our hearts. None of these should be used to inform us that someone is calling us. This is disrespectful. One should merely keep a simple ring tone for this purpose.
How Many Rings
If when ringing someone one finds that the phone cuts off after a few rings or diverts to an answering machine, then the caller may try again. One should retry a maximum of three times for it may be that the person was busy and as he approached the phone it stopped ringing and thus he was unable to answer. However, there are some phones that do not divert or cut-off and keep ringing. In such cases the caller should let it continue ringing for that duration which would be considered normal, approximately ten rings. If the call is not answered then put the phone down because not answering indicates that the person is either occupied or does not wish to speak. Do not cause inconvenience by compelling.
Mobile and Teachers
It is not permissible for teachers at madrasah or school to use the mobile during their working hours for the madrasah and the school has purchased that time from them. This time does not belong to them; it has become the property of the employing establishment.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Communication Skills
Are we Communicating Effectively?
Humans are social beings who continually interact with people. The soundness of our relationship with people is largely based on our interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills are the skills that a person uses to interact with other people. Interpersonal skills are sometimes also referred to as communication skills. No matter how hard you work or how brilliant you are, if you cannot connect with people around you, you will lead a life of conflict or emotional detachment from those around you. We start learning interpersonal skills from the time we are born, the very first and natural means of communication for a baby is to cry and as we grow, we gradually learn how people are likely to react to what we say and do. Some of the interpersonal skills that the Quran refers to are:
1. “Take to Forbearance:” Make allowance for human nature and do not be too harsh with those who err. The shortcomings you see in others are simply a reflection of your own human weaknesses. Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam once asked the Ashaab Radhi-Allahu anhu: “Should I not inform you of an individual who becomes forbidden for the fire of hell and the fire of hell becomes forbidden for him?” “A person who is gentle, soft, near the hearts of people and easy going.” (Ahmed)
2. “Enjoin the Doing of Right:” You can only advise people to do good if you believe they have the potential to do so. Focus on their potential and not on their limitations. If people know we expect good things from them, they will in most cases go to great lengths to live up to our expectations. If you treat people on the basis of what they can be, you help them to become what they are capable of becoming.
3. “Leave alone those who Choose to be Quarrelsome:” Once the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was sitting with his Companions, and one person used insulting words against Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu causing him pain. But Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu remained silent. The person again used bitter words against Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu and still Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu did not respond. The third time when this ignorant person hurt Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu with his tongue, Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu tried answering back. At this point the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam got up. Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu asked him, “Are you displeased with me, O Messenger of Allah?”
The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “No, but (when you remained silent) an angel came down from the heaven responding to this man's talk. But the moment you started replying to that man, the angel went away and the devil sat down. And I cannot sit where the devil is sitting.”
(Abu Dawud)
4. Use Appropriate Words: “O You who believe! Remain conscious of Allah and always speak appropriate words…” (33:70) Inappropriate words include being sarcastic, hurtful, or saying what you do not mean. Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.” “Watch what you say! Say what you mean, and mean what you say!”
5. Learn to Listen: “In this (the rise and fall of nations) there is a reminder for everyone who has a heart, everyone who lends an ear with a conscious mind.” (50: 37) Can you lend an ear without a conscious mind? This verse shows the difference between simply hearing and listening. Listening is to hear with the presence of heart and mind. To give thought and to reflect at what is being said. Concentrate on what the speaker is saying. The best way to persuade people is with your ears— by listening to them.
6. Be Conscious of your Body Language: Body language is a form of non-verbal communication, which consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. As humans we send and interpret such signals subconsciously.
Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was reprimanded for frowning in front of and turning his face away from a blind man, because he was annoyed at him interrupting a very important discussion he was having with the chiefs of the Quraish. The blind man could not have possible picked up the body language of Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam yet he was reprimanded so that we may know the importance of non-verbal communication.
Interpersonal skills could be summarised in one short hadith of Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam who said: "Be a bearer of glad tidings and do not scare people away from you , make things easy and no dot make things difficult.” (Abu Dawud)
Make Allah grant us the power to communicate effectively. Aameen.
(An abridged New Hijri Year Message from Jamiatul Ulama South Africa)
Humans are social beings who continually interact with people. The soundness of our relationship with people is largely based on our interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills are the skills that a person uses to interact with other people. Interpersonal skills are sometimes also referred to as communication skills. No matter how hard you work or how brilliant you are, if you cannot connect with people around you, you will lead a life of conflict or emotional detachment from those around you. We start learning interpersonal skills from the time we are born, the very first and natural means of communication for a baby is to cry and as we grow, we gradually learn how people are likely to react to what we say and do. Some of the interpersonal skills that the Quran refers to are:
1. “Take to Forbearance:” Make allowance for human nature and do not be too harsh with those who err. The shortcomings you see in others are simply a reflection of your own human weaknesses. Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam once asked the Ashaab Radhi-Allahu anhu: “Should I not inform you of an individual who becomes forbidden for the fire of hell and the fire of hell becomes forbidden for him?” “A person who is gentle, soft, near the hearts of people and easy going.” (Ahmed)
2. “Enjoin the Doing of Right:” You can only advise people to do good if you believe they have the potential to do so. Focus on their potential and not on their limitations. If people know we expect good things from them, they will in most cases go to great lengths to live up to our expectations. If you treat people on the basis of what they can be, you help them to become what they are capable of becoming.
3. “Leave alone those who Choose to be Quarrelsome:” Once the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was sitting with his Companions, and one person used insulting words against Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu causing him pain. But Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu remained silent. The person again used bitter words against Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu and still Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu did not respond. The third time when this ignorant person hurt Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu with his tongue, Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu tried answering back. At this point the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam got up. Abu Bakr Radhi-Allahu anhu asked him, “Are you displeased with me, O Messenger of Allah?”
The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “No, but (when you remained silent) an angel came down from the heaven responding to this man's talk. But the moment you started replying to that man, the angel went away and the devil sat down. And I cannot sit where the devil is sitting.”
(Abu Dawud)
4. Use Appropriate Words: “O You who believe! Remain conscious of Allah and always speak appropriate words…” (33:70) Inappropriate words include being sarcastic, hurtful, or saying what you do not mean. Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.” “Watch what you say! Say what you mean, and mean what you say!”
5. Learn to Listen: “In this (the rise and fall of nations) there is a reminder for everyone who has a heart, everyone who lends an ear with a conscious mind.” (50: 37) Can you lend an ear without a conscious mind? This verse shows the difference between simply hearing and listening. Listening is to hear with the presence of heart and mind. To give thought and to reflect at what is being said. Concentrate on what the speaker is saying. The best way to persuade people is with your ears— by listening to them.
6. Be Conscious of your Body Language: Body language is a form of non-verbal communication, which consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. As humans we send and interpret such signals subconsciously.
Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was reprimanded for frowning in front of and turning his face away from a blind man, because he was annoyed at him interrupting a very important discussion he was having with the chiefs of the Quraish. The blind man could not have possible picked up the body language of Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam yet he was reprimanded so that we may know the importance of non-verbal communication.
Interpersonal skills could be summarised in one short hadith of Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam who said: "Be a bearer of glad tidings and do not scare people away from you , make things easy and no dot make things difficult.” (Abu Dawud)
Make Allah grant us the power to communicate effectively. Aameen.
(An abridged New Hijri Year Message from Jamiatul Ulama South Africa)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)