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Chapter 4.3. The Art Of Listening
If a person started telling you or your group something that you know very well, you should pretend as if you do not know it. Do not rush to reveal your knowledge or to interfere with the speech. Instead, show your attention and concentration. The honourable follower Imam 'Ata ibn Abi Rabah said: 'A young man would tell me something that I may have heard before he was born. Nevertheless, I listen to him as if I have never heard it before.'
Khalid bin Safwan Al-Tamimi, who was with the two caliphs Omar bin Abdul Aziz; and Hisham bin Abdul Malik, said: 'If a person tells you something you have heard before, or news that you already learned, do not interrupt him or her to exhibit your knowledge to those present. This is a rude and an ill manner.' The honourable Imam 'Abdullah bin Wahab Al-Qurashi Al-Masri, a companion of Imam Malik, Al-Laith bin Sa'd and Al-Thawri, said: 'Sometimes a person would tell me a story that I have heard before his parents had wed. Yet I listen as if I have never heard it before.' Ibrahim bin Al-Junaid said: 'A wise man said to his son: 'learn the art of listening as you learn the art of speaking. Listening well means maintaining eye contact, allowing the speaker to finish the speech, and restraining yourself from interrupting his speech.'
Al-Hafiz Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi said in a poem:
A talk never interrupt Though you know it in and out
Chapters
Chapter 1
Importance Of Appearance
Chapter 1.1
Distinct Muslim Personality
Chapter 1.2
Cleanliness And Washing
Chapter 1.3
Arriving From A Journey
Chapter 1.4
Dress Properly With Family And Friends
Chapter 2
Entering Or Leaving A House
Chapter 2.1
How-to-enter
Chapter 2.2
Entering While Others Are Asleep
Chapter 2.3
Greeting
Chapter 2.4
Announcing Your Presence
Chapter 2.5
Seeking Permission To Enter
Chapter 2.6
Knocking And Ringing
Chapter 2.7
Answering 'Who Is It?'
Chapter 3
The Manners Of Visiting
Chapter 3.1
Keeping Appointments, Delays And Cancellation
Chapter 3.2
Declining A Visit
Chapter 3.3
Control Your Eyes
Chapter 3.4
Removing Your Shoes
Chapter 3.5
Choosing A Seat
Chapter 3.6
A Visitor Is Not An Inspector
Chapter 3.7
Timing Your Visit
Chapter 3.8
Greeting
Chapter 3.9
Sitting Between Two Persons
Chapter 3.10
The Host's Duties And The Guests' Rights
Chapter 3.11
Stay In Touch
Chapter 3.12
A Brief Advice To My Sisters
Chapter 4
The Manners Of Conversation
Chapter 4.1
Selecting Suitable Topics
Chapter 4.2
Talk In A Suitable Tone
Chapter 4.3
The Art Of Listening
Chapter 4.4
Discussions And Debates
Chapter 4.5
Swearing By Allah
Chapter 4.6
Answering A Question
Chapter 5
Social Manners
Chapter 5.1
Respect And Favour The Elderly
Chapter 5.2
The Elderly Are To Lead Prayers
Chapter 5.3
Walking With The Elderly
Chapter 5.4
The Elderly Are To Be Served First
Chapter 5.5
Manners With Parents
Chapter 5.6
Tell Your Family Your Whereabouts
Chapter 5.7
Respect The Poor
Chapter 5.8
Dealing With Non-muslims
Chapter 6
Manners Of Eating
Chapter 6.1
The Importance Of Eating Manners
Chapter 6.2
Manners Of Eating
Chapter 6.3
Manners Of Drinking
Chapter 6.4
Avoid Gluttony
Chapter 6.5
Gold And Silver Cutlery
Chapter 7
Weddings
Chapter 7.1
Weddings Are Part Of The Prophet's Tradition
Chapter 7.2
The Manners Of Attending Weddings
Chapter 8
Visiting The Sick
Chapter 8.1
Visiting A Patient
Chapter 8.2
Praying For The Sick
Chapter 8.3
The Length Of The Visit
Chapter 8.4
The Manners Of Visiting A Patient
Chapter 8.5
How The Ill Express Their Complaints
Chapter 9
Condolence
Chapter 9.1
Breaking Unpleasant News
Chapter 9.2
Expressing Condolences Is A Courtesy And A Duty
Chapter 9.3
Expressing Condolences And Sympathy
Chapter 9.4
Sending Flowers And Reading Quran During Funerals
Chapter 9.5
A Final Word