Communication (from Latin
commūnicāre, meaning "to share") is the activity of conveying information
through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech,
visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. It is the meaningful exchange of
information between two or more living creatures.
The ability to communicate effectively is necessary to carry out thoughts and
visions to people. It helps convey directions and provide synchronization.
Without communication, there is no way to express thoughts, ideas and feelings.
The importance of communication becomes much more crucial when you are on a
mission or need to fulfill a goal. Without a means to communicate, you will
stand isolated. The ability to effectively communicate is very important when it
is usually underestimated and overlooked. And the best communication takes place
when a person has best communication skills. Then he grabs his audience’s
attention.
Communication and Islam related to each other. A person’s first responsibility
is whatever he wants to communicate is absolutely based on true facts. He has
never lied to anyone. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him)
said, one of the sign of hypocrite is, whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
Allah created man with a basic function to communicate. Allah says in the
Qur’ān, “He has taught him to talk (and understand)” (Qur’ān 55:4). Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) used both written and oral
communication as per the need and requirement. He used written communication
where information had to be recorded for future use and reference and used oral
communication where information had to be communicated to people immediately.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) has given high
importance to written communication because it could be preserved and be used
for future reference. The best example of the use of written communication is
the Qur’ān which was recorded and preserved as and when it was revealed. When
Prophet Muhammad invited many kings to Islam, he used the medium of written
communication to communicate the message to them. As he could not meet everyone
in person, he used the mode of written communication and sent the letters
through one of his companions. He wrote a letter to Ashamah bin Al-Abjar – then
king of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), a letter to Juraij bin Matta (Muqawqis) – then
king of Egypt, a letter to Chosroes – then emperor of Persia, etc. Today the
Muslims have adopted various tools to communicate the message of Islam; they use
booklets, pamphlets, folders, etc.
From the Qur’ān and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be
to him) we also get to learn certain dos and donts of communication. We learn to
speak the truth, to speak good words, to greet others with peace, to thank
people, to be polite, etc. We also learn not to lie, not to backbite, not to
speak in a high tone with our parents and elders or anyone else, not to hurt
someone’s feelings, not to abuse, not to taunt, not to call others by nick name,
etc. All these dos and donts help a person become better in character. Thus
communication helps an individual to improve his personality and become a better
human being. On one end Islam tells us to speak in a low tone with elders and
parents on the other hand it guides women not to be soft in speech while talking
to strangers.
In order to call people to Salah many ideas and suggestions were given but at
the end it was Adhan which was finalised which is tool of oral communication. It
is also considered to be the official call for Salah. Adhan has become such an
effective and powerful tool that it reminds people about Salah when they are
busy in their worldly and personal affairs. When Bilal stood up and called the
Adhan, the voice of Bilal resounded throughout Madinah and the people came
running to Masjid Al-Nabawi. The Friday sermon is another strong medium which is
used for mass communication. It is used as a very strong medium to communicate
the message to the Muslim Ummah. The Friday sermon aims at addressing problems
or calling for reform, and fostering respect for all, regardless of race,
nationality, faith, gender, orientation, or disability. And to communicate all
this in a manner that is absolutely respectful to all people and to all
religious traditions.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) also used the medium
of giving speech whenever he had to communicate something important to a large
group of people. Two best examples of this are the first open preaching on Mount
As-Safa and the final sermon which he delivered during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Before this people give speech without wearing their clothes.
According to the fact that communication is the essence of Islam, so any issue
is communicative as much as it is connected to islam. Communication is central
to Islam. The main sources of guidance of Muslims, al-Quran and Sunnah, as well
as other major references of Islamic behavior like ijma and ijtihad are
substance of tools of communication. Every act of Islam revolves around
communication. Communication plays a very important role in everyone’s life as
it acts as a source of information, helps people socialise, and alter
individuals’ attitude, and much more.