The Aadaab Of Listening To Talk

  1. Listen attentively. If any part of the talk is not clear or a doubt lingers, seek its clarification from the speaker immediately. Don't act on what has been said on the basis of your opinion.

  2. When someone calls you, reply immediately so that the caller knows that you have heard him.

  3. When someone speaks to you, do not listen with indifference. This attitude will hurt his feelings. This applies to a greater extent when someone speaks for your benefit or answers your question.

  4. When someone assigns a task to you, express your intention verbally. Say yes or no, etc. Perhaps you have no intention of doing the work and by your silence the speaker gains the impression that you have agreed to undertake the task.

  5. When someone speaks ill of your Ustaaz (teacher), then remain silent. If it becomes unbearable, then leave the place.

  6. When your Ustaaz speaks, apply your whole attention to him.

  7. After having attentively listened to your Ustaaz's discourse, if you do not understand anything, do not attribute it to your Ustaaz. On the contrary, regard your inability as a result of your defective understanding and inattentiveness.

  8. It is not permissible to listen to music and singing. The heart is corrupted thereby. Evil dominates the Nafs (base desires). Music gives impetus to the evil qualities of the Nafs. The inclination to commit wrong is thus stirred in man. Whatever leads to haraam is likewise haraam.

  9. Avoid listening to the voices of females and young boys. A woman should exercise caution in this regard. She should ensure that her voice does not reach the ears of non-Mahram males (males for whom Hijaab is compulsory).

  10. Do not get up and leave while someone is addressing you. This will hurt the feelings of the speaker, and will exhibit your unappreciativeness of the talk. This applies to lawful talk. If the talk is unlawful, then it will not be permissible to listen to it.

  11. When listening to a lecture, do not engage in any other conversation. Pay attention to the discourse. It is disrespectful to engage in a conversation at such time and it displays lack of appreciation of the discourse.

  12. When someone calls you from behind the partition, etc., reply immediately to put the caller at ease. Do not remain silent, for then the caller will persist in calling.

  13. When someone assigns a duty to you, listen to it well and after having executed it, notify him of its accomplishment. This will avoid suspense and anticipation.

  14. If you have not understood, say so. Do not pretend that you have understood. Do not say, 'yes, yes'.

  15. On announcing yourself,  e.g. by having made salaam, if the inmates of the house have not recognized you and they ask, 'Who is it?', do not say: 'It's me.' State your name.

  16. It is highly disrespectful to remain silent after having heard the question. Similarly, it is disrespectful and cause for much annoyance to reply after some delay.

The Aadaab of Mulaaqaat (Meeting One Another)