Page 48 - Communication and Argument in the Qur'an

46 COMMUNICATION AND ARGUMENT IN THE QUR’AN

“It is you yourselves who are wrongdoers.” But then
they relapsed back into their unbelief [after having said
to each other]: “You know full well these idols cannot
talk.” He told them: “Do you then worship, instead of
Allah, what cannot help or harm you in any way?
Shame on you and what you worship besides Allah!
Will you not use your intellect?” (Surat al-Anbiya’: 51-
67)
Believers must ask questions from time to time to judge
how effective their words have been, to determine what
points should be emphasized, and to follow the progres-
sion of the hearer’s thoughts. They must record this
progress and learn what those who are listening think of
what they have been told. In this way, the believers will be
able to assess the other party’s sincerity and determine
how to proceed.

7. Employing the most effective method
conforming to the person’s character
Apart from the truth of the message, effective commu-
nication depends on the way it is addressed: “Call to the
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(Surat an-Nahl: 125).
This can be achieved by emphasizing a particular point
and using interesting and relevant examples. Aside from
this, since everyone has a different character and different
needs, the believers have to tailor their styles and methods
to make them effective. For example, sometimes it might
be useful to use detailed examples or a concise narrative