The Muslim Way of Speaking: Employing a Style of Speech Appropriate to the Level of Knowledge of the Person Addressed

One of the appealing features of the speech of Muslims is that they use the way of speaking that is the most appropriate, most considerate comprehensible. It is the intelligence that results from faith which endows them with this ability to address people of all ages and circumstances. The manner used to address a person with an open mind and broad level of knowledge is different from that used towards one who is not well cultured and with limited ability of comprehension. For example, it is not correct to explain a subject pedantically to an intellectual with detailed knowledge of it. It is the basis of consideration and politeness to speak without forgetting that the other knows the subject far better and while appreciating his or her superior qualities. In contrast, when speaking to a person who is less cultured and who has far less knowledge and experience, where care needs to be taken is in being comprehensible. Speaking to such a person in a manner he or she cannot understand or decipher, not being careful of the explanations he may need, and speaking in a way that is ambiguous and confusing way, is wrong. For example, using sophisticated language with an uneducated person is pointless. Those who try to make a show of themselves in the eyes of others on a subject about which they are not informed only actually make them look small. As a requirement from the intelligence they have gained by following the Qur'an, the faithful always use the way of speaking that is most appropriate, taking into account the needs, knowledge and cultural level of the person they are addressing.