Frank_H_Smith
New Revert 2010
As Salamu 'Alaykum,
"The problem with communication is the illusion that it has occurred." -- George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish playwright and essayist.
My friends and family are irate with me because I don't talk on the phone anymore than is absolutely necessary. It's not that I don't want to hear their voice, I really do, but the problem with talking on the telephone is the same problem as occurs with writing your thoughts. When we speak on the telephone, I can't "see what you are saying."
Communication occurs when the listener(s) fully comprehends exactly what the speaker or writer hopes to convey. Personally, I believe that would happen all the time if we continued to perceive the world as we did when we were actually perceiving the world. Let me explain. The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Alayhu 'Alayhi Wa Sallem) is reported by Muhammad ibn Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn al Mughirah ibn Bardizbah al-Bukhari:
Narrated Abu Huraira :
Allah's Apostle said, "Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magainism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" Then Abu Huraira recited the holy verses: "The pure Allah's Islamic nature (true faith of Islam) (i.e. worshipping none but Allah) with which He has created human beings. No change let there be in the religion of Allah (i.e. joining none in worship with Allah). That is the straight religion (Islam) but most of men know, not." (30.30)
The corruption of the child's natural inclination to worship only Allah is not the only metamorphosis to take place after birth. Another change that occurs rapidly is that human beings stop perceiving the world directly. A relatively new understanding of how we perceive the world has contributed to a new social science Memetics. I know that is not a word that you hear very often. Most of us don't even know what it is. I only recently learned of it. Memetics is the study of memes. The term Memetics is attributed to Douglas Hofstadter (a professor at Indiana University) to describe the work of Richard Dawkins' memes which he introduced in his book The Selfish Gene to describe a unit of human cultural information transmission.
The way that this human cultural information transmission occurs is similar to the way that DNA transmits physical characteristics. In other words, replication of a particular understanding occurs from memes being transferred from one mind to another. Thus as The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallem) said we become who we are because of with whom we come into contact. Academics theorize that the phenomena of a world view is the result of not just what we experience, but also what significance our culture places on that experience. Unfortunately, we gradually pay less attention to the experience and more attention to the associations we have learned resulting in filters channeling our experiences into identifiable semantic interpretations of that experience gradually resulting in the belief that the world is as we believe it to be. I understand that this is hard to understand. The easiest way for me to grasp it is in understanding that the reality that we see is not the same reality that an animal or insect experiences. A dog can hear sounds that we can't hear. Because we can't hear the same high frequency sounds that a dog hear doesn't make the sound any less real, but for us, on a practical level, it doesn't exist. The light from the sun contains many waves that we can't perceive. We are able to see a certain spectrum of light that is not the whole of the light spectrum. In fact, it is very possible that what I believe to be blue may not be the color "that pops into your mind" when someone say something is blue. We live in a family, a municipality, perhaps a city, a state, a country and we first experience the world within the family and family friends, then, perhaps our own personal friends, than teachers and other students, and eventually, possibly even other individuals from other countries speaking different languages.
Which brings me to Al Qur'aan and Muslimoom and Muslimaat. The instructor at The FIKS often shares his pearls of wisdom with those in his class and those viewing his videos. One of those pearls is a quote that says "The Muslim is sharp, moving intelligently, unlike the snail and those who are dull witted and those who possess lazy bodies." In other words, we as Muslims don't accept anyone's word for anything other than the Kalaam of arr-RaHmaan. When we speak with people we are not only listening to their words, but we are processing the micro-expressions of their face, we are analyzing the proxemics (use of space by individuals) and kinetics (body language). Everything that pertains to our deen (religion) has to be either from Allaah or His last Messengers, The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Alahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallem). If I say that we are to do or not do something, as Muslimoom and Muslimaat you don't accept my word for it. You ask me the source of this knowledge and the source of the source. And, you verify for yourself that what I say is in Al Qur'aan is in Al Qur'aan. The Sahih of Al Bukhaari and Muslim are rated according to their probable validity.
I love Islam and I am learning so much from all my Muslim Brothers and Sisters. But, the more I learn, the more I feel apprehension in speaking because of the possibility of speaking incorrectly or being misunderstood. I usually can't see or hear individuals on the computer. When speaking on the phone, I can see the raised eyebrow or furrowed brow. I don't notice the clenched jaw or change in skin color or the crossing of arms across the chest. I have limited knowledge of the effect of my words and I can't ""tell" if you see what I am saying. I once took a seminar on Rapport. During it we learned to listen to whether and individual say words that connote a primary visual learner, auditory learner, tactile learner, etc. We were trained to perceive through clues of speech the " primary personality type of that person." Once you know what motivates a person you are better able to communicate benefit and risk to that person. If I know that you are primarily motivate by security than I can communicate how a thing will increase your security. If you arelike me, you are primarily motivated by a desire to be liked and respected, than if I can express to you how you can achieve your goals, you are more likely to listen to what I have to say, to see what I want to show you, to feel concretely how a firm grasp of the concepts that I am handing to you will benefit you.
And, even when we pay close attention we often misunderstand the message. I may say, "I wish I had known in advance that the dinner was an interfaith dinner, I wouldn't have answered the question about how I came to Islam in the wording that I used." You may hear and think, "this guy is a complainer who wants to cause trouble." My message isn't be communicated because of a failure to adequately express my desire to offend no one with my words in as much as is possible within the confines of my understanding of my duty.
When I try to share some thoughts or understanding out of a desire to help (the Greeks called it Koinonia.) You may simply here a "blowhard" in love with his own voice. I hope that isn't the case. Allah has for each of us a role for which we were perfectly designed and molded. One of the highest calling is to teach.
1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1Ti 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1Ti 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1Ti 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1Ti 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
I hope that I, Insha Allah, will be able to bridle my tongue and tame my mind so that on the Day of Judgment I will not have to answer for thinking or speaking anything unpleasing to my Lord, ALLAAH.
"The problem with communication is the illusion that it has occurred." -- George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish playwright and essayist.
My friends and family are irate with me because I don't talk on the phone anymore than is absolutely necessary. It's not that I don't want to hear their voice, I really do, but the problem with talking on the telephone is the same problem as occurs with writing your thoughts. When we speak on the telephone, I can't "see what you are saying."
Communication occurs when the listener(s) fully comprehends exactly what the speaker or writer hopes to convey. Personally, I believe that would happen all the time if we continued to perceive the world as we did when we were actually perceiving the world. Let me explain. The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Alayhu 'Alayhi Wa Sallem) is reported by Muhammad ibn Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn al Mughirah ibn Bardizbah al-Bukhari:
Narrated Abu Huraira :
Allah's Apostle said, "Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magainism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" Then Abu Huraira recited the holy verses: "The pure Allah's Islamic nature (true faith of Islam) (i.e. worshipping none but Allah) with which He has created human beings. No change let there be in the religion of Allah (i.e. joining none in worship with Allah). That is the straight religion (Islam) but most of men know, not." (30.30)
The corruption of the child's natural inclination to worship only Allah is not the only metamorphosis to take place after birth. Another change that occurs rapidly is that human beings stop perceiving the world directly. A relatively new understanding of how we perceive the world has contributed to a new social science Memetics. I know that is not a word that you hear very often. Most of us don't even know what it is. I only recently learned of it. Memetics is the study of memes. The term Memetics is attributed to Douglas Hofstadter (a professor at Indiana University) to describe the work of Richard Dawkins' memes which he introduced in his book The Selfish Gene to describe a unit of human cultural information transmission.
The way that this human cultural information transmission occurs is similar to the way that DNA transmits physical characteristics. In other words, replication of a particular understanding occurs from memes being transferred from one mind to another. Thus as The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallem) said we become who we are because of with whom we come into contact. Academics theorize that the phenomena of a world view is the result of not just what we experience, but also what significance our culture places on that experience. Unfortunately, we gradually pay less attention to the experience and more attention to the associations we have learned resulting in filters channeling our experiences into identifiable semantic interpretations of that experience gradually resulting in the belief that the world is as we believe it to be. I understand that this is hard to understand. The easiest way for me to grasp it is in understanding that the reality that we see is not the same reality that an animal or insect experiences. A dog can hear sounds that we can't hear. Because we can't hear the same high frequency sounds that a dog hear doesn't make the sound any less real, but for us, on a practical level, it doesn't exist. The light from the sun contains many waves that we can't perceive. We are able to see a certain spectrum of light that is not the whole of the light spectrum. In fact, it is very possible that what I believe to be blue may not be the color "that pops into your mind" when someone say something is blue. We live in a family, a municipality, perhaps a city, a state, a country and we first experience the world within the family and family friends, then, perhaps our own personal friends, than teachers and other students, and eventually, possibly even other individuals from other countries speaking different languages.
Which brings me to Al Qur'aan and Muslimoom and Muslimaat. The instructor at The FIKS often shares his pearls of wisdom with those in his class and those viewing his videos. One of those pearls is a quote that says "The Muslim is sharp, moving intelligently, unlike the snail and those who are dull witted and those who possess lazy bodies." In other words, we as Muslims don't accept anyone's word for anything other than the Kalaam of arr-RaHmaan. When we speak with people we are not only listening to their words, but we are processing the micro-expressions of their face, we are analyzing the proxemics (use of space by individuals) and kinetics (body language). Everything that pertains to our deen (religion) has to be either from Allaah or His last Messengers, The Prophet Muhammad (Salla Alahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallem). If I say that we are to do or not do something, as Muslimoom and Muslimaat you don't accept my word for it. You ask me the source of this knowledge and the source of the source. And, you verify for yourself that what I say is in Al Qur'aan is in Al Qur'aan. The Sahih of Al Bukhaari and Muslim are rated according to their probable validity.
I love Islam and I am learning so much from all my Muslim Brothers and Sisters. But, the more I learn, the more I feel apprehension in speaking because of the possibility of speaking incorrectly or being misunderstood. I usually can't see or hear individuals on the computer. When speaking on the phone, I can see the raised eyebrow or furrowed brow. I don't notice the clenched jaw or change in skin color or the crossing of arms across the chest. I have limited knowledge of the effect of my words and I can't ""tell" if you see what I am saying. I once took a seminar on Rapport. During it we learned to listen to whether and individual say words that connote a primary visual learner, auditory learner, tactile learner, etc. We were trained to perceive through clues of speech the " primary personality type of that person." Once you know what motivates a person you are better able to communicate benefit and risk to that person. If I know that you are primarily motivate by security than I can communicate how a thing will increase your security. If you arelike me, you are primarily motivated by a desire to be liked and respected, than if I can express to you how you can achieve your goals, you are more likely to listen to what I have to say, to see what I want to show you, to feel concretely how a firm grasp of the concepts that I am handing to you will benefit you.
And, even when we pay close attention we often misunderstand the message. I may say, "I wish I had known in advance that the dinner was an interfaith dinner, I wouldn't have answered the question about how I came to Islam in the wording that I used." You may hear and think, "this guy is a complainer who wants to cause trouble." My message isn't be communicated because of a failure to adequately express my desire to offend no one with my words in as much as is possible within the confines of my understanding of my duty.
When I try to share some thoughts or understanding out of a desire to help (the Greeks called it Koinonia.) You may simply here a "blowhard" in love with his own voice. I hope that isn't the case. Allah has for each of us a role for which we were perfectly designed and molded. One of the highest calling is to teach.
1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1Ti 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1Ti 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1Ti 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1Ti 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
I hope that I, Insha Allah, will be able to bridle my tongue and tame my mind so that on the Day of Judgment I will not have to answer for thinking or speaking anything unpleasing to my Lord, ALLAAH.