a presentation on speech -...

A PRESENTATION ON

SPEECH

By

Tarbiyyat Department

Lajna Ima illah UK

The power of expression is unique to mankind

A person’s speech is a reflection of their heart and mind

Speech has an impact on every aspect of our lives

The Holy Quran talks about various elements of speech

Each element is crucial to achieving the true purpose of this ‘gift of

expression’

Some of these elements might initially seem as overlapping qualities but

on closer inspection, each has a different shade to it

A harmonious and peaceful society cannot be created without

adopting these elements of speech

SPEECH-A GIFT FROM THE GRACIOUS GOD

Surah Al Rahman 55:2-5

English Translation by Maulvi Sher Ali sb

ACCOUNTABILITY OF SPOKEN WORD

Surah Qaf 50:19


EXAMPLE OF GOOD WORD

The word of God has been linked in these verses to a tree which possesses four essential qualities

a.) it is good, meaning it is free from all such teachings as may, in any way, offend against human reason and conscience or against human feelings and susceptibilities

b.) like a good and deep-rooted fruitful tree it possesses a strong and stable foundation and receives fresh life and sustenance from its source, and like a strong tree it does not bend before the blasts of objections and adverse criticism but stands firm against all storms. It derives life and sustenance from only One Source and there is therefore no disharmony or discard in its principles and teachings.

c.) its branches reach into heaven, which means that by acting upon it a man can scale the highest summits of spiritual eminence

d.) it yields its fruits in abundance in all seasons which signifies that its blessings are witnessed at all times and it continues to produce in every age men who by acting upon its teaching attain communion with God and by their uprightness and the purity of their conduct tower high above their contemporaries. The Qur’an possesses all these qualities in full measure.

EXAMPLE OF GOOD WORD

Surah Ibrahim 14:25-26


EXAMPLE OF EVIL WORD

Unlike the good tree a book which is forged by a fabricator is like an evil

tree. It does not possess permanence or stability. Its teachings are

supported neither by reason nor by the laws of nature. It cannot stand

criticism and its principles and ideals keep on changing with the change

in human conditions and circumstances . It is a hotchpotch of teachings

collected from doubtful sources. It fails to produce men who can claim

to have established true and real connection with God. It does not

receive fresh life from the Divine Source and is subject to decay and

degeneration.

EXAMPLE OF EVIL WORD

Surah Ibrahim 14:27


ELEMENTS OF SPEECH

Qaul e Sadeed

Qaul e Tayyab

Qaul e kareem

Qaul e Maroof

Qaul e Layyin

Qaul e Baleegh

Qaul e Saqeel

LahnulQaul

Qaul e Sabit

Ahsan ulQaul

QAUL E SADEEDTHE TRUE AND RIGHT WORD

It means a true, simple and straightforward conversation

A speech without complication, hidden or underlying meanings

Many blessings and promise of success are tied with it

It is fundamental in human relationships

Qaul e Sadeed is stressed in the verses read for nikah due to the imperative role it can play in matrimony

QAUL E SADEEDTHE TRUE AND RIGHT WORD

Al Nisa 4:10

Al Ahzab 33;71-72


WHAT IS QAUL E TAYYAB?

It means a pure, perfect, true and good word

Also refers to sweet, pleasant, beautiful and noble conversation

It is a speech that ascends to God and elevates the spiritual status of the

one who utters it

It makes the speaker honourable

Many features of our everyday conduct can make our speech impure and away from Qaul e Tayyab

QAUL E TAYYAB

PURE, GOOD WORDS

Al Fatir 35:11


WHAT IS QAUL E KAREEM?

Excellent speech

No word of disgust

No expression of disgust

No reproach

Kind manner

Gentle tone

QAUL E KAREEM

EXCELLENT AND KIND SPEECH-AN OBLIGATION

Bani Israil 17:24


WHAT IS QAUL E MAROOF?

The two verses mention kind and gentle speech as an act of

righteousness with regards to marriage proposals and the care of

an orphan.

Accepted by society as respectable

Al Baqarah 2:236


QAUL E MAROOF

KIND AND GENTLE SPEECH-AN ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

QAUL E MAROOF

KIND AND GENTLE SPEECH-AN ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Al Nisa 4:9


WHAT IS QAUL E LAYYIN?

The verse teaches a two-fold lesson to a religious teacher or

preacher

He should use gentle language when preaching

He should also show due respect to those whom God has

endowed with worldly honour or has placed in the seat of

authority

QAULE LAYYINGENTLE SPEECH

Ta ha 20:45


WHAT IS QAUL E BALEEGH?

The Prophet was enjoined to deal kindly with the Hypocrites, they were

not yet beyond redemption

It was possible that they might one day see the error of their ways and

become sincere Muslims

QAULE BALEEGHEFFECTIVE WORD

Al Nisa 4:64


WHAT IS QAUL E SAQEEL?

The expression, ‘a weighty word’, may signify: “The Quranic teaching

is pregnant with the highest import. It is too weighty to be displaced or

dislocated.’

No word or letter of the Qur’an can be changed, altered or amended

According to an often quoted Hadith, whenever a revelation

descended upon the Holy Prophet, he went intro trance and felt a

peculiar sensation so that even on an extremely cold day large drops

of sweat fell from his forehead and he felt a dead-weight of his body.

QAULE SAQEELWEIGHTY WORD

Al Muzzammil 73:6


WHAT IS LAHNUL QAUL?

A hyprocite never talks straight. He always indulges in

ambiguous and equivocal speech in order that it should

convey one sense to one person and quite another sense

to another person

LAHNUL QAULTONE OF SPEECH

Muhammad 47:31


QAUL E SABITFIRMLY ESTABLISHED WORD

QAUL E SABITFIRMLY ESTABLISHED WORD

Surah Ibrahim 14:28


WHAT IS AHSANUL QAUL?

The best speech

Speech that invites others towards Allah

A covenant taking by Allah alongside the main teachings we are

asked to follow.

AHSAN UL QAULKIND AND GENTLE SPEECH-A COVENANT

Al Baqarah 2:84


AHSAN UL QAUL

WE ARE ASKED TO ‘SPEAK THAT WHICH IS BEST’

Bani Israil 17:54


AHSAN UL QAULTABLIGH AND WISE SPEECH

Ha Mim Al-Sajdah 41:34


WHAT ARE IMPURITIES OF SPEECH?

IMPURITIES OF SPEECH

Derision

Vain and idle talk

Name calling

Defaming

Gossip

Spreading rumors

IMPURITIES OF SPEECH

Al Hujurat 49:12

Al Muminum 23:4


WHAT IS QAUL E ZOOR?

WHAT IS QAUL E ZOOR?

In the last sentence of the verse lying and idol-worship have been

condemned as equally heinous. Of all abominations, lying perhaps,

plays the greatest part in the moral degradations of a man, second

only to idol-worship.

The verse also points to the great truth that without fully subscribing to

the belief in Divine Unity it is impossible to get rid of mental confusion

and bewilderment and to enjoy real peace of mind. An idolater falls

an easy victim to unfounded superstitious fears.

QAUL E ZOORWORDS OF UNTRUTH

Al Hajj 22:31


WHAT IS QAUL E MUKHTALIF?

WHAT IS QAUL E MUKHTALIF?

The great astronomical truth revealed in the preceding verse leads to

the inference that the Qur’an is God’s own revealed Word and that

there exists a unity of purpose and harmony in Divine work, and yet the

materialistic philosophers coin far-fetched theories, groping and

floundering in ill-founded surmises and conjectures, not believing in

God’s Word and His Prophet.

QAUL E MUKHTALIF

Al Dhariyat 51:9


‘SAY NOT’ ACCORDING TO THE HOLY

QURANAl Baqarah 2:155

Al Nisa 4:95


SCENARIOS

GENTLE SPEECH

Gentle Speech in every day life

Can you suggest a few important aspect of speech that we should all aspire to as an Ahmadi women?

You are having a lovely time with your friends, talking and laughing together? What manner of speech is likely to be forgotten?

Discuss in light of five volume commentary of following verse

Surah Luqman verse 20 (31:20)

GENTLE SPEECH BY OFFICE BEARERS

There are certain very concerning

tarbiyat issues in your majlis. The

office bearers want to address them promptly. What would be the best

way to approach and talk to these members?

Discuss in light of five volume commentary of following verses

Surah Taha verse 45 (20:45)

Surah Al- Hijr verse 89 (15:89)


The verse teaches a two-fold lesson to a religious teacher or preacher

He should use gentle language when preaching

He should also show due respect to those whom God has endowed

with worldly honour or has placed in the seat of authority

The real significance of the verse is that the Holy Prophet has been told

not to grieve over the fact that disbelievers were about to be punished

and all their riches, prosperity and glory of which they are so proud

would be of no avail to them.

Ale Imran 3:160

Al Saff 61:3-4




The words give an insight into the beautiful character of the Holy Prophet (Peace

and Blessings of Allah be upon him), of which the most effable and prominent trait was his all-comprehensive mercy.

He was full of the milk of human kindness and was not only kind towards his

Companions and followers but was also full of mercy and sympathy for his enemies

who were always on the lookout to stab him in the back.

It is on record that he took no action against those treacherous Hypocrites who

had deserted him in the Battle of Uhud. He even consulted them in affairs of State.

The action of a Muslim should correspond to his professions. Boastful, empty talk

carries one nowhere and verbal professions not accompanied by actual deeds smack of hypocrisy and insincerity.

GENTLE SPEECH IN HUZOOR E ANWAR’S (MAY ALLAH BE HIS HELPER) PRESENCE

You are blessed with the opportunity to be present at a question

and answer session with Huzoor e anwar (May Allah be his Helper), how should you put your question forward?


Surah Al- Hujjurat verse 3 (49:3)

GENTLE SPEECH IN HUZOOR E ANWAR’S (MAY ALLAH BE HIS HELPER) PRESENCE

This verse lays great stress on observing an attitude of utmost

respectfulness towards the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of

Allah be upon him.

The Muslims should not talk loudly in his presence or address him

aloud which not only constitutes bad manners, but is calculated

to do moral injury to one so rude as not to show due respect to

the Leader.

EXCEPTION TO GENTLE SPEECH

Are there any exceptions to gentle speech?


Surah Al Ahzaab verse 33 (33:33)

EXCEPTION TO GENTLE SPEECH

The wives of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah

be upon him) are here enjoined to maintain the dignity of

their very exalted position and to conduct themselves with

due propriety and decorum while talking to members of

the opposite sex. All Muslim women are included in this

injunction.

GENTLE SPEECH BETWEEN SPOUSES

A husband is unwell and in that state he at times says unreasonable things or shows

extreme reactions. What is the best way for a wife to tackle the situation?

The Promised Messiah’s AS concern for his wife whenever she was unwell was always

apparent. Hadrat Umme Nasir ra (his daughter in-law), relates that once Hadhrat

Amman Jan ra was indisposed. The Promised Messiah AS visited and gave her a

medicine to drink. In her unwell state Hadrat Amman Jan ra exclaimed words to the

effect; "Oh, I will die!" The Promised Messiah AS responded tenderly; "After you, what will

I do alive?", as if suggesting that his existence in this present life without Hadhrat Amman

Jan ra seemed inconceivable. Hadhrat Umme Nasir ra recalls that there were many

such occasions when the Promised Messiah AS said similar gentle and heartwarming

words to his wife, expressing his deep affection for her.

http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Hadrat-Amman-Jan.pdf

page 26 -27


GENTLE SPEECH AT HOME

A mother is frustrated with her son as he has been unemployed for a time. How should she refer

to him, or talk about him with other people?

Similarly, Hadhrat Amman Jan ra would gently advise the ladies in the Community to use

polite speech. Once, a lady came to her to request Hadrat Amman Jan ra to pray for her son.

He had passed his medical exam two years previously but was still at home despite this and

the mother remarked that he was "completely useless and unemployed". Hadrat Amman Jan

ra corrected the lady; "He is not useless. He serves the family of the Promised Messiah as. This is

a blessed opportunity from Allah Almighty, yes he is unemployed, but Allah Almighty will

indeed give him employment". Thus, Hadrat Amman Jan ra highlighted the positive aspects of

the boy without condemning him. Her perceptive comment a peaceful and spiritual society.


Page 139 – 140



Your daughter refers to her older siblings in a rude manner, what should be your reaction?

Hadhrat Amman Jan's ra granddaughter Sahibzadi Amatul Mateen relates that her grandmother was always polite, and encouraged this etiquette in them from a young age. She recalls that she once came to her grandmother's house and Hadhrat Amman Jan ra enquired if her father (Hadhrat Musleh Maud ra) was sleeping. She replied that he had "got up". Hadhrat Amman Jan ra gently rebuked her that she should have used the politer term "woken up", rather than “got up” about her father. Similarly, Hadhrat Amman Jan ra would gently advise the ladies in the Community to use polite speech.


Page 139 – 140



Your son keeps displaying ill manners in presence of guests. How can you address the

manners?

The manner of the Promised Messiah’s [AS] training, as has been stated was very subtle. He

generally persuaded him to accept things with gentle and loving words and expressions of

good expectations where the methods of harsh words or physical harshness mostly fail. At

times a child picks up more food than necessary and the parents scold him and become

offended. They even try to take it away but instead of agreeing the child continues to

increase in his insistence and is defiant. On such occasions the method of the Promised

Messiah [AS] was entirely different and the outcome was also completely different. For

instance, Hadhrat Syed Fazal Shah [ra] – a sincere disciple of the Promised Messiah [AS] states:

“One day the Promised Messiah [as] was sat in the upper storey courtyard with almonds in

front of him. I was shelling the almonds when Hadhrat Mian Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad who

was 4 or 5 years of age at the time, came and took all the almonds and put them into his lap.

Observing this Huzur said, ‘Mian is very good; he will not take too many. He will only take one

or two. He will put all the rest back.’ When Huzur said this, Mian sahib quickly put all the

almonds in front of me and only took one or two for himself.”

http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Fazl-e-Umar.pdf

page 22 – 23

http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Fazl-e-Umar.pdf


A mother in law wishes to address domestic chores and household management issues with

her daughter in law, what would your advice be?

Another daughter-in-law of Hadhrat Amman Jan ra “Hadhrat Choti Appa”, was only 17 when

she came to Hadhrat Amman Jan's house as a bride. She reflected that Hadhrat Amman Jan

ra had a very gentle and subtle way of guiding them. Mother and daughters-in-law can often

conflict over domestic chores and household management. Hadhrat Amman Jan ra was the

complete antithesis of a stereotypically domineering mother-in-law. She never patronised her

juniors. Instead she would wisely and gently direct Hadhrat Choti Appa. She never asked; "Do

you know how to cook this?", but would amicably invite Hadhrat Choti Appa, "let's go and

cook this" or "let's go and do that". Initially, Hadhrat Amman Jan ra would do most of the

cooking and Hadhrat Choti Appa would watch, (and in this relaxed manner would also learn).

Then at a later date Hadhrat Amman Jan ra would say to her; "Go and make that dish as you

did the other day", although it had actually been Hadhrat Amman Jan ra who had done so. In

this benevolent manner Hadhrat Amman Jan ra instilled confidence in her daughters-in-law,

which encouraged them to learn various domestic skills from her. She did this in a friendly,

maternal fashion, never uttering any harsh admonishments.


page 61



A mother in law wishes to address domestic chores and household management issues with her daughter in law, what would your advice be?Hadhrat Amman Jan's grand-daughter Amatul Mateen Sahibah has related how Hadhrat Amman Jan ra patiently taught her to cook. Whilst living in Quetta, Hadhrat Amman Jan rabeckoned her one day and told her to make “egg halwah” (a sweet pudding made of eggs). Amatul Mateen Sahibah was initially daunted by the task. However, Hadhrat Amman Jan ra kindly talked her through the method step by step. Hadhrat Amman Jan ra repeated this routine daily with her granddaughter until she became expert in the task. It was with similar patience and attention that she would train her progeny in essential household tasks. Amatul Mateen Sahibah also relates that Hadhrat Amman Jan ra taught her how to decreammilk.


page 85 – 86


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