In the present digitally overloaded society, everyone is racing to meet materialistic needs. The over-focus on these materialistic needs has somehow left a stain on social relations, which shows a negative impact on social relations. Some famous books on this subject are How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and The Social Skills Guidebook by Chris Macleod. Further books like Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson et al. Among the books is the famous Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves. The summary of all these books provides a roadmap and toolkit for how to improve social skills in order to nurture a good society. However, as teachers, researchers, and students, we also need to read and take guidance from the noble Quran and comprehend the Quranic perspective on the topic as well. In today’s era of social challenges, it is vital to equip our children with vital social skills to effectively navigate these crises and build resilience for difficult times. Therefore we need to back our Noble Quran which offers numerous social skills and is called the book of guidance.
The Quran is a complete guide for personal and social conduct, highlighting values that nurture harmony, respect, and compassion within society. Social skills are crucial for maintaining constructive and positive relationships and a solid community. The Quran emphasis copious social skills, underscoring their significance in building a just and compassionate society. Here are ten key social skills mentioned in the Quran, along with their scriptural references and explanations.
Kindness and Compassion (Rahma)
The Quran repeatedly stresses the significance of kindness and compassion, expressly towards those who are less fortunate. This principle nurtures a wisdom of understanding and support within the community.
Quranic Reference “And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you.” (Quran 26:215). This verse stresses the significance of humility and kindness in interactions with others. Compassion is seen as a divine attribute, and believers are encouraged to emulate this quality in their daily lives. Showing kindness and compassion helps to build trust and solidarity within the community.
Patience (Sabr)
Patience is a virtue that the Quran repeatedly encourages, especially in the face of life’s challenges and in interactions with others. It is crucial for maintaining peace and avoiding conflicts.
Quranic reference “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].” (Quran 2:45)
This verse underscores the importance of patience as a means of seeking divine help and guidance. Patience allows individuals to handle difficult situations calmly and wisely, preventing rash decisions and fostering a peaceful environment.
Forgiveness (Afw)
Forgiveness is essential in social interactions, helping to maintain peace and reduce conflicts. The Quran places great emphasis on forgiving others as a means of achieving personal and communal harmony.
Quranic Reference
“And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 24:22).
This verse encourages believers to forgive others as they seek forgiveness from Allah. Forgiveness is a powerful tool for reconciliation and building stronger relationships. It prevents grudges and promotes a culture of mercy and understanding.
Honesty and Truthfulness (Sidq)
Honesty and truthfulness are highly emphasized in the Quran, as they form the foundation of trust in any relationship or community.
Quranic Reference: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.” (Quran 9:119).
This verse calls on believers to align themselves with truthful individuals. Honesty is essential for maintaining integrity and trust within a community. It ensures that interactions are transparent and reliable, fostering a healthy social environment.
Respecting Others (Ihtiram)
The Quran advocates for respecting all individuals, regardless of their background or status. Respect is a fundamental social skill that promotes equality and dignity. Quranic Reference: “And we have certainly honoured the children of Adam…” (Quran 17:70).
This verse recognizes the inherent dignity and honor of all human beings. Respecting others is a reflection of this divine acknowledgment. It encourages individuals to treat everyone with courtesy and consideration, reinforcing a sense of mutual respect.
Generosity (Karam)
Generosity, in terms of wealth, time, and resources, is encouraged to help those in need and foster a supportive community. The Quran highlights the benefits of being generous.
Quranic Reference: “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain that sprouts seven ears; in every ear are a hundred grains.” (Quran 2:261) This verse illustrates the exponential rewards of generosity. Being generous creates a culture of giving and support, ensuring that the needs of the less fortunate are met. It strengthens community bonds and promotes collective well-being.
Justice and Fairness (Adl)
Justice and fairness are fundamental principles in the Quran. They are crucial for maintaining social order and ensuring that everyone is treated equitably.
Quranic Reference “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives…” (Quran 4:135) This verse emphasizes the importance of upholding justice, even when it is challenging. Fairness ensures that everyone is treated with equity, preventing discrimination and bias. It promotes a just society where rights are protected, and wrongs are addressed.
Maintaining Good Relations with Neighbors (Husn Al-Jiwar)
The Quran stresses the importance of maintaining good and respectful relations with neighbors, fostering a sense of community and support.
Quranic Reference: “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away…” (Quran 4:36). This verse highlights the significance of being good to neighbors. Maintaining good relations with neighbors creates a supportive and cohesive community. It encourages individuals to look out for each other and foster an environment of mutual care and respect.
Humility (Tawadu’)
The Quran encourages humility in social interactions, advising against arrogance and pride. Humility is essential for fostering respectful and meaningful relationships. Quranic Reference: “And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.” (Quran 31:18).
This verse advises against arrogance and pride, promoting humility instead. Humility allows individuals to interact with others respectfully and graciously. It prevents conflicts and fosters a culture of respect and understanding.
Peace-making and Reconciliation (Sulh)
Promoting peace and reconciliation among conflicting parties is a noteworthy social skill endorsed by the Quran. It is essential for maintaining harmony and preventing conflicts.
Mission Impossible
From among God’s messengers, Prophet Muhammad , peace be upon him, was chosen for a monumental task: to deliver God’s message to all mankind until the end of time.
So, not only was he commanded to inform his own people in his geographical environment during his lifetime, but his mission stretched to include communicating with every human, in every corner of the world, from the day he was chosen as a Prophet to the very last day on this earth.
When I think about this impossible communication situation, I immediately remember one of the first verses of the Quran revealed to him at the start of his mission: {We shall send down to you a weighty Message} (Al-Muzzammil, 73:5)
And indeed it was a weighty message, not just in its great content, but also in the immense communication skills required to deliver it thoroughly to a never-ending line of diverse audience, spanning numerous eras and places, through barriers of time, culture, and whatever unimaginable changes human progress would bring.
In our race for more possessions and personal success, we feel we don’t have time for others, so we connect with them less, and focus on ourselves more. The result is a world on the verge of destruction because of an increasing number of selfish humans, who communicate less, care less, and take more than their share of everything, even clean air to breathe.
Quranic Reference: “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” (Quran 49:10). This verse encourages believers to resolve conflicts and promote peace. Peace-making and reconciliation are vital for maintaining social harmony and preventing disputes from escalating. It fosters a culture of unity and cooperation.
Sum-up
The Quran offers a complete guide to social skills that are vital for upholding harmony, respect, and compassion within society. By stressing values such as kindness, patience, forgiveness, honesty, respect, generosity, justice, good relations with neighbors, humility, and peace-making, the Quran provides a map for building a just and supportive community. These social skills are not only vital for individual interactions but also for the complete well-being and cohesiveness of society. By following to these principles, individuals can contribute to a balanced and fostering environment, ensuring justice, compassion, and mutual respect in social interactions.
The author can be mailed at farooqmajeed19@gmail.com
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