Art of Giving Speech: Guideline from the Quran
The art of giving speech is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice and guidance. A speech can have a powerful impact on the audience, whether it is to inform, persuade, inspire or entertain them. However, a speech can also be ineffective or harmful if it is not delivered with sincerity, clarity, wisdom and respect.
One of the best sources of guidance for giving speech is the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Quran is the word of Allah, the Most High, and the Sunnah is the way of life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was the best example of eloquence and communication. Here are some of the guidelines from the Quran for giving speech:
- Have a clear purpose and intention for your speech. Before you speak, ask yourself: What do I want to achieve with this speech? What message do I want to convey? How do I want to affect the audience? What is my intention for speaking? Allah says in the Quran:
وَقُل لِّعِبَادِی یَقُولُوا۟ ٱلَّتِی هِیَ أَحۡسَنُۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّیۡطَـٰنَ یَنزَغُ بَیۡنَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّیۡطَـٰنَ كَانَ لِلۡإِنسَـٰنِ عَدُوࣰّا مُّبِینࣰا
And tell My bondmen to speak that which is the best; undoubtedly Satan sows discord among them; indeed Satan is man’s open enemy. (Quran 17:53)
- Choose your words carefully and wisely. Avoid using words that are vague, ambiguous, offensive, harsh, false or exaggerated. Use words that are clear, precise, respectful, truthful and appropriate for the context and the audience. Allah says in the Quran:
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُوا۟ قَوۡلࣰا سَدِیدࣰا
O People who Believe! Fear Allah, and speak rightly.(Quran 33:70)
- Be sincere and honest in your speech. Do not speak to show off your knowledge, eloquence or status. Do not speak to deceive, manipulate or exploit others. Speak from your heart and with sincerity. Allah says in the Quran:
وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ قَوۡلࣰا مِّمَّن دَعَاۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحࣰا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِی مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِینَ
And whose speech is better than one who calls towards his Lord and does righteous deeds, and says, “I am a Muslim.”? (Quran 41:33)
- Be concise and relevant in your speech. Do not speak too much or too little. Do not digress or deviate from your topic. Do not bore or confuse your audience with irrelevant or unnecessary details. Speak with brevity and clarity. Allah says in the Quran:
وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَیۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولࣰا
And do not pursue the matter you do not have the knowledge of; indeed the ear, and the eye, and the heart – each of these will be questioned. (Quran 17:36)
- Be humble and respectful in your speech. Do not speak arrogantly or rudely. Do not mock, insult or belittle others. Do not interrupt or cut off others when they are speaking. Acknowledge your mistakes and limitations when you speak. Allah says in the Quran:
وَلَا تَمۡشِ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَحًاۖ إِنَّكَ لَن تَخۡرِقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَلَن تَبۡلُغَ ٱلۡجِبَالَ طُولࣰا
And do not walk haughtily on the earth; you can never split the earth, nor be as high as the hills. (Quran 17:37)
These are some of the guidelines from the Quran and the Sunnah for giving speech. By following them, we can improve our speech skills and deliver effective and beneficial speeches that please Allah and benefit ourselves and others.