The Secret to Becoming a Better Listener | Mikaeel Ahmed Smith | Ep. 36
Sep 1, 2023
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Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith from Qalam Institute in Dallas Texas discusses the art of listening, focusing on becoming a better listener for improved relationships and connecting with Allah. They explore the importance of attentive listening, managing time and energy effectively, and the impact of social media on communication and mental health.
Prophetic listening involves listening to oneself, building intimate dialogues, and listening to Allah and the Quran.
Creating a safe space for others to speak fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance, leading to deeper connections.
Limit emotional investment in social media and invest in authentic relationships for meaningful communication.
Deep dives
The Importance of Listening and Connection
In this podcast episode, Sheikh Mika Ihl Ahmad Smith discusses the importance of connecting our hearts and minds and improving our relationships through prophetic listening. He emphasizes how emotional intelligence unlocks the hearts of others and how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had an amazing capacity for listening. Sheikh Mika Ihl Ahmad Smith highlights the significance of listening on three levels: listening to oneself, building intimate dialogues and bonds with others, and listening to Allah and the Quran. He underscores that becoming better listeners can help solve many of our personal and community problems.
The Power of Allowance and Venting
Sheikh Mika Ihl Ahmad Smith explores the importance of allowing space for people to openly and vulnerably share their inner thoughts and emotions. He shares examples of how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provided a safe space for individuals to speak, vent, and express their pain. He explains that allowing others to speak and truly listening to them can create a sense of belonging and acceptance. Sheikh Mika highlights the significance of reciprocal sharing, where individuals take turns listening and empathetically responding to one another, fostering deeper connections and bonds.
Social Media and Listening
Sheikh Mika Ihl Ahmad Smith addresses the impact of social media on our ability to truly listen and connect with one another. He points out the challenge of having everyone speak at once without enough genuine listeners. Sheikh Mika stresses the need to identify the right people and spaces to share our thoughts and emotions, emphasizing the importance of close and intimate connections. He encourages limiting emotional investment in social media and instead investing in authentic relationships to foster a sense of security and meaningful communication.
Importance of Pair Bonding and Cognitive Bandwidth
Pair bonding, which involves staying with a mate for long periods of time, is a fundamental aspect of human relationships. It is associated with larger brain sizes and the ability to maintain prolonged relationships. In contrast, hook-up culture is seen as a step backwards in evolution, as it limits the cognitive bandwidth for sustained relationships with a single individual.
Effective Listening and Personalized Duas
Effective listening plays a crucial role in fostering meaningful connections with others. It involves not just hearing the words spoken, but also understanding the deeper meanings and perspectives being communicated. Responding to someone's need to be heard, rather than immediately trying to solve their problems, can significantly strengthen relationships. Similarly, when communicating with Allah, personalized duas can help establish a deeper connection. By personalizing supplications and engaging in interactive reading of the Quran, one can respond to the questions posed by Allah and enhance their spiritual journey.
In a world of noise and distraction, how does one centralise their ability to become a better listener? How does one use their listening skills to better their relationships with themselves, those around them and above all - Allah?
We sit down with Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith from Qalam Institute in Dallas Texas to discuss his most recent publication, "When hearing becomes listening. The Art of Prophetic Listening".
