Page 79 - The Muslim Way of Speaking

The Aspects of the Muslim Way of Speaking

nize that no matter how well informed they may be about that subject,
someone else may be even better informed and able to form more accu-
rate conclusions, and thus keep themselves open to the other's com-
ments and advice. Moreover, in such instances, even before anyone else
were to say anything, they consult on the matter with those whose in-
telligence, conscience and sincerity they trust; in other words, they ex-
change ideas with others. Carrying out affairs through consultation is
one of the important characteristics of the faithful. A verse of the Qur'an
offers the following:
Those who respond to their Lord and establish prayer, and man-
age their affairs by mutual consultation and give of what We
have provided for them. (Surat ash-Shura: 38)
In addition, there is no place for dogmatism in the speech of the
faithful. What is important is not to convince the other party of the
rightness of their own ideas, but to be able to discover what is most cor-
rect. In this matter their common reference is the Qur'an. That is be-
cause, when speaking they take the Qur'an as their guide and are
dependent on it for every decision. In a verse of the Qur'an, our atten-
tion is drawn to this characteristic of the faithful:
Those who, when they are reminded of the Signs of their Lord,
do not turn their backs, deaf and blind to them. (Surat al-
Furqan: 73)

Saying "It is as Allah wills, there is no strength
but in Allah"
The true possessor of all the blessings which a person witnesses in
the life of this world is Allah. However, there are some who may fall
into error by believing that they are the real owners of the blessings
which Allah has granted them. With these blessings in their possession,
they may forget their powerlessness in the sight of our Lord, and be-
come arrogant though Allah has the power to take back everything He
has given them whenever He wills. Because of this, it is necessary for all

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