By Wan Afiqah Anis binti Wan Ahmad
When I think about da’wah—the effort to share and explain Islam—I realize how much of it depends on speaking. We often focus on delivering the message, articulating arguments, and memorizing key points. But in all of this, we sometimes forget the foundation of meaningful conversation: listening.
For students and lecturers of Islamic studies, listening isn’t just a soft skill—it’s an essential one. It should be as fundamental as memorization, as crucial as speech. In fact, without strong listening skills, even the best-prepared da’i (caller to Islam) may struggle to truly connect with others.
The Quran itself reminds us of the importance of listening. Allah says: “Those who listen to the Word, and follow the best (meaning) in it: those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones endued with understanding.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:18)
This verse highlights a key point: those who listen carefully and reflect upon what they hear are the ones who gain wisdom. For an Islamic studies student, this is particularly relevant. Memorization strengthens the mind, but listening strengthens the heart.
When engaging in da’wah, we must listen deeply—whether to the concerns of those we are guiding, the wisdom of our teachers, or even the unspoken struggles of those around us. A person may not always say, “I have doubts,” or “I need guidance.” But if we listen with sincerity, we will hear it between their words.
Many Islamic studies students spend years committing the Quran, hadith, and scholarly texts to memory. But how often do we reflect on the role that listening plays in this process? The companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preserved knowledge primarily through listening. They didn’t have books in their hands; they had ears that absorbed every word and hearts that retained them.
Aishah bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) is a perfect example. She was not only an active speaker but an exceptional listener. She learned directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him), carefully memorizing his words and conveying them accurately to later generations. Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim both recorded her narration:
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) never spoke in a hurried or unclear manner. He spoke in a way that anyone who listened to him would be able to memorize what he said.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
This narration reflects not just the clarity of the Prophet’s speech but also the attentiveness of those who listened to him. Aishah’s ability to retain and transmit knowledge was rooted in her deep focus and active listening—skills that every Islamic studies student should cultivate.
Another reason listening skills are so valuable, especially in English, is their role in breaking language barriers. Many Islamic texts and scholarly works are now accessible in English, making it a key language in modern Islamic discourse. For non-native speakers, mastering English for da’wah purposes isn’t just about speaking—it’s about listening well enough to grasp new ideas, recognize different viewpoints, and respond thoughtfully.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I remember struggling with different accents and pronunciations when speaking English abroad. But I realized something: communication isn’t about flawless grammar or perfect pronunciation. It’s about understanding and being understood. Many times, the key to comprehension wasn’t in how I spoke, but in how I listened.
For da’wah, this is even more crucial. A person engaging in interfaith dialogue, for instance, needs to listen carefully—not just to words, but to emotions, cultural differences, and underlying beliefs. True listening allows us to respond in a way that speaks to the heart, rather than just debating facts.
Students of Islamic studies, if you want to become better at da’wah, start by listening more. Train your ears the way you train your memory. Listen to lectures, debates, and conversations in English. Pay attention to different tones and expressions. Absorb knowledge not just through reading, but through the power of attentive listening.
Above all, remember that listening isn’t just a skill—it’s a form of respect, a way of showing care, and an act of humility. When we listen well, we don’t just hear words. We hear struggles, hopes, and truths.
And that, more than anything, is the heart of da’wah.
The author is an English language lecturer at the Academy of Islamic Studies Universiti Malaya, UM Education Centre, Bachok, Kelantan. She may be reached at afiqahanis@um.edu.my