Page 152 - Communication and Argument in the Qur'an

150 COMMUNICATION AND ARGUMENT IN THE QUR’AN

opinions on a general matter. In this way, everyone can
learn what others think and form an idea of their charac-
ters. It is very wrong to think, for example, “I know more
than him, so why should he talk?” or “If you don’t know, be
quiet.” One person may know less than another about a
certain subject; however, by Allah’s gift of wisdom, the one
who knows less may be more aware of the subject’s intri-
cate nature. On the other hand, a person who knows about
a subject in great detail may get submerged in those
details and be unable to see the underlying logic. For this
reason, it is important for everyone to express his or her
own ideas so that new ideas and views can emerge.

Avoiding to put oneself in the front in a
conversation
People usually do not pay attention when others are
speaking; they do not listen and analyze what they hear.
We often see this on television discussions panels. Two
experts in their fields may be completely rude and disre-
spectful to each other; instead of learning from the other
person, they arrogantly try to impose their own views.
Muslims do not have the egotistical desire to put them-
selves in the front, to prevail, or to have the last word in an
argument. For this reason, their attitude is one of quiet
moderation. Their politeness comes from the Qur’an’s
moral teachings, according to which they are to give pre-
cedence to each other and benefit from what other people
say.