The Manners and Characteristics When Talking on the Phone : Introduction [Part 1]

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A rendition into English of

The Manners and characteristics when talking on the phone

أَدَبُ الهَاتِفِ

By

Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd

[May Allaah have Mercy on him]

All Praises are for Allaah and Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allaah, his companions and all those who follow his guidance until the Last Day;

To Begin:

The Manners and characteristics when talking on the phone within Shariah comprise of the same rulings that already exist within the Shariah. The etiquettes needed when visiting, seeking permission, the etiquettes of talking, the characteristics of conversation and its topics. The Shariah has also already discussed the amounts, times and places for these etiquettes.  All these areas have already been covered in Shariah and have been mentioned in the pure texts of our religion, either in its principles or the rulings and regulations. Not only do the texts talk about the rulings but the texts also guide to actions which are more virtuous for us to follow, manners that are of the highest of conduct. All of the above have all been built on the encouragement for us to be generous and thoughtful; this is the basis on which the foundation of the blessed and comprehensive Shariah is built on.

It has been narrated that The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said;

“Kindness is not present in a thing except that it beautifies it and it is not absent in a thing except it makes it horrid.”

It is also narrated that he [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said;

“Whoever has been prevented from having kindness then he has been prevented from having all good.”

These characteristics and manners are enforced from two aspects; the manners that already exist in the deed we are doing within it; and the manners that are needed so that we may reach a desired goal.

Sometimes it is difficult for us to acquire what we seek to obtain because of weaknesses in ourselves. However we are always encouraged to have good manners which always bring about the desired outcome.

From here, being adorned with good manners helps in spreading Islaam. For instance, the way Islaam spread, came about by there existing brotherhood, companionship and the upright cooperation that the Muslims had with each other. They protected their oaths, they upheld their trusts, they sought to spread betterment; they overturned oppression and tyranny, so the rights of everyone were restored thus because of this great principle in Islaam, which is to have good manners, Islaam was able to spread.

The manners of one have an effect on another and it carries throughout the whole of the society, the population as a whole will be changed for the better. Creating compassion is a goal that the Shariah sets out to attain. It encourages us to make excuses for those who disappoint us because not everyone is on the same level of intelligence. We don’t share our abilities, we don’t share the same levels of diplomacy and generally people differ on the way they deal with each other. The noblest thing for us to do is that if we are enlightened with something then we should explain this to others. If we are reminded then we should remind others because this drives us towards progression. So the reasons for this treatise are three;

Firstly, it is a reminder for me and those who Allaah Wills from my brothers.

Secondly, it’s a caution against those who harm others. For example, the caller may call the person and remain silent on the phone until the person has to ask who is calling, this is from the bad manners that we are prohibited from following.

Another example is giving out other peoples numbers without their permission, undoubtedly this is a treachery against the trust this person has given you.

Thirdly, the phone, the loudspeakers and mobile phones are all forms of technology that have become extremely important in our daily lives. These apparatuses enable us to communicate with each other quickly without exerting too much effort. Thus it has helped in saving our energy, our time, our wealth and at times it helps us to get what we want almost instantly. So we Thank and Praise Allaah for this favour upon us.

Due to these reasons, it is important for us to know the manners and characteristics of using the phone from an Islaamic perspective and how the Shariah encourages us to use them.