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Everything I Learned About Entrepreneurship, I Learned from the Quran
Lesson # 18: Communication
Al Salam Alaikum 🌱
In this week’s edition of the newsletter, let’s explore the profound lessons on communication derived from the Noble Quran and how we, as faith-first entrepreneurs, can incorporate these teachings into our businesses and daily lives.
💬 Quranic Verses on Communication
The first verse I’d like to share can be found in Surah Ta-Ha:
This verse emphasizes the importance of gentle communication, even with adversaries.
Prophet Musa and his brother Harun were instructed to speak gently to Pharaoh, despite his tyranny.
This teaches us that kindness and gentle speech should be the foundation of our communication, no matter the circumstances.
The second verse that addresses communication in the Quran is from Surah Luqman:
Moderation and lowering one’s voice are crucial for maintaining respect and dignity.
In business, this translates to being mindful of our tone and volume, ensuring our communication is always respectful.
The third and last verse I would like to share is from Surah Al Isra:
Speaking in the best manner possible helps avoid conflicts and disputes. As entrepreneurs, our goal should be to foster harmony and resolve conflicts through positive and constructive communication.
💌 The Compassionate Communication of the Prophet
One of the most profound stories of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) illustrating effective communication is the incident with the Bedouin who urinated in the mosque.
The companions of the Prophet were furious and wanted to punish the Bedouin.
However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) calmly instructed them to let him finish and then kindly explained to the Bedouin the sanctity of the mosque. He then ordered the area to be cleaned with water.
This story teaches us several vital lessons:
Patience and Calmness: The Prophet (peace be upon him) remained calm and patient in a situation that could have escalated quickly. As entrepreneurs, we often face stressful situations. Maintaining our composure can help us handle conflicts more effectively.
Compassion and Understanding: The Prophet (peace be upon him) approached the situation with compassion, understanding the Bedouin’s ignorance. In our businesses, understanding the perspectives and backgrounds of our partners, employees, and customers can lead to more empathetic and effective communication.
Constructive Correction: The Prophet (peace be upon him) corrected the Bedouin’s mistake in a gentle and constructive manner. As leaders, it’s crucial to provide feedback in a way that encourages growth and learning, rather than causing resentment.
✅ Applying These Lessons in Business
With Partners: Ensure that your communication is always respectful and constructive. Address conflicts with patience and understanding, seeking to resolve them amicably.
With Customers: Speak kindly and respectfully, even in difficult situations. Remember, your communication reflects your business values and can significantly impact customer loyalty.
With Employees: Provide feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner. Understand their perspectives and backgrounds to communicate more effectively and foster a positive work environment.
Reflect on a recent interaction in your business or personal life, considering if your communication was respectful, patient, and understanding.
Re-read the Quranic verses above and recall the Prophetic story of the Bedouin who urinated in the mosque.
Write down one positive aspect of your communication, one area of improvement, and one actionable step for the week.
By dedicating just 5 minutes each week to this exercise, you can continuously improve your communication style and align it with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
This will help you foster better relationships in your business and personal life, promoting peace and understanding in all your interactions, inshAllah.
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