NewStats: 3,264,665 , 8,184,375 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 10:44 PM 286b1i

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

I came across a profound tweet by Reno Omokri today that resonated deeply with me as a Muslim living and working in Nigeria. The tweet highlighted how words can either open people's minds to us or close them off completely, especially when people become defensive.

This got me thinking about how we as Muslims can communicate more effectively across all aspects of life while staying true to our faith. I've compiled some thoughts and principles that might benefit us all, drawing from Islamic teachings and practical wisdom.

CORE ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION

1. Begin with Adab (Proper Etiquette)

Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us that good character should precede all interactions. Before attempting to persuade others:

- Start with genuine salaam and well-wishes
- Show respect before making requests
- Cultivate a reputation for honesty (amanah)

As Allah reminds us in the Qur'an: "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction" (16:125).

When disagreeing with a colleague, I might say: "Brother, I value your perspective greatly. I've learned much from your approach in the past. Perhaps we could consider another angle that might address some additional concerns."

2. Understand Your Audience

The Prophet (PBUH) spoke to people according to their level of understanding. This teaches us to:

- Consider the background and values of those we speak with
- Recognize what matters most to them
- Adapt our approach accordingly

When speaking with elders in our community, I'm mindful to show deference while making suggestions: "Baba, your wisdom has guided our community for years. Building on what you've established, would you consider this approach that might help our younger ?"

3. Find Common Ground First

Islamic scholarship often seeks areas of consensus (ijma) before addressing differences. In our daily communications:

- Begin with what you both agree upon
- Reference shared values or experiences
- Draw from mutual religious principles when appropriate

APPLYING THESE PRINCIPLES IN DIFFERENT SETTINGS

1. Family and Marriage

Our faith emphasizes mutual consultation (shura) and kindness (mawaddah wa rahmah) in marriage. I've found these approaches helpful:

- Address sensitive topics privately, never undermining family publicly
- Choose moments when both parties are receptive, not tired or stressed
- Demonstrate the behavior you wish to see before requesting change

Rather than saying "You never make time for my family," I've learned to say, "I've been thinking about ways we can strengthen our relationships with both our families. I've made efforts to visit your parents regularly. Perhaps we could plan some special time with my family next weekend as well?"

2. Professional Settings

As a working Muslim in Nigeria, I've noticed how these principles can transform workplace interactions:

- Present specialized knowledge in accessible
- suggestions with both stories and evidence
- Offer solutions in manageable phases

A colleague who effectively persuaded management to adopt a new process didn't say, "Our current approach is outdated." Instead, he said, "I've noticed we're spending significant time on maintenance issues. Organizations similar to ours have found this alternative approach reduces such problems while improving results by 25%. We could test it on one project initially."

3. Business and Entrepreneurship

Our prophet (PBUH) was a successful businessman before prophethood. From his example and contemporary Nigerian realities, I've seen how:

- Building relationships precedes transactional success
- Understanding local challenges creates more relevant solutions
- Framing offerings as specific solutions to Nigerian problems resonates strongly

When I observe successful Muslim entrepreneurs in Nigeria, they don't simply promote products. They say things like: "We've developed this solution specifically for the power and connectivity challenges we face here in Nigeria. Unlike imported alternatives, our approach maintains functionality during outages while using significantly less bandwidth."

4. Religious and Community Discussions

As a Sunni Muslim in our diverse Nigerian society, I've found these approaches effective:

- Invite with wisdom (hikmah) rather than harsh words
- Find common values across faith traditions
- Let actions demonstrate Islamic principles before words

PRACTICAL FRAMEWORKS I'VE FOUND HELPFUL

1. A Simple Approach for Difficult Conversations

I've found this method helpful when navigating complex discussions:

- First, genuinely acknowledge the other person's perspective
- Identify points where you sincerely agree
- Offer new information or viewpoints respectfully
- Suggest next steps that address mutual concerns

When discussing a sensitive community matter, I might say: "I understand your concerns about this issue. We both want what's best for our masjid community. Based on what I've learned from speaking with several families, there might be additional factors to consider. Perhaps we could form a small committee to explore solutions together?"

2. Balancing Heart and Mind in Communication

Our deen teaches us to engage both the mind and heart. In persuasive communication, I try to balance:

- Establishing credibility through knowledge and character
- Connecting with shared values and aspirations
- Providing sound reasoning and evidence

3. The Power of Thoughtful Questions

I've noticed that the most influential people often ask questions instead of making statements. As Allah mentions those who reflect and question in the Qur'an, I've tried to:

- Guide through thoughtful inquiry
- Invite others to reach conclusions themselves
- Show genuine curiosity about different perspectives

Instead of declaring, "We should enroll our children in this Islamic school," I might ask, "What qualities in education matter most for our children's deen and dunya? How might different schools nurture those qualities?"

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES

1. When Facing Cultural Resistance

In our Nigerian context, where tradition holds strong influence:

- Acknowledge traditional perspectives respectfully
- Frame new ideas within established values
- Find historical or religious precedents for beneficial change

2. Managing Disagreement Respectfully

When others disagree, I've learned to:

- Recognize their concern before responding
- Find common ground even in disagreement
- Consider where I might concede minor points to address major ones

"I appreciate your concern about changing our approach. Many of us had similar thoughts initially. What if we implement this change gradually, starting with a small test? This would allow us to see results while minimizing disruption."

3. Navigating Authority and Respect

In our Nigerian society, where respect for authority is paramount:

- Seek guidance from respected intermediaries when appropriate
- Acknowledge position and experience sincerely
- Frame suggestions as ing rather than challenging leadership

MAINTAINING ISLAMIC ETHICS IN PERSUASION

As Muslims, our persuasive efforts must always align with our values:

- Avoid deception (gharar) completely
- Ensure mutual benefit (maslaha) in outcomes
- Maintain truthfulness (sidq) even when difficult
- Consider impacts on our broader community (ummah)

Personal Commitment: When sharing ideas or marketing products, I remind myself to never exaggerate capabilities, even if others do so. Our Prophet (PBUH) was known as Al-Amin (the trustworthy) before revelation, and his example teaches us to uphold honesty in all dealings.

CONCLUSION

What I've learned as a Muslim in Nigeria is that effective persuasion isn't about manipulation or getting our way. It's about creating genuine understanding and mutual benefit while honoring our Islamic principles.

The tweet by Reno Omokri reminded me that words truly are keys - they can open minds or close them. As Muslims, we have a beautiful tradition of ethical communication to draw upon, from the perfect example of our Prophet (PBUH) to the wisdom of the Qur'an.

By integrating these Islamic principles with practical communication approaches, we can become more effective in our marriages, workplaces, businesses, and communities - all while strengthening our deen and character.

May Allah guide us all to speak with wisdom, comion, and integrity. And may He forgive me for any errors in what I've shared.

JazakAllah khair for reading.

Ramadan Mubarak.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Broque(Bruh....Que)
7th Day of Ramadan, 1446.
07/03/2025


link to the tweet : https://x.com/renoomokri/status/1897889996268618039

Well deserved! Congratulations to team Spain.