A Quranic style: Soft words

The Quran says, “Speak fair to the people” (1). Say nice words to everybody, every person that you speak to. The order is universal and general. It includes everybody, whether they are believers or not, whether they support you or oppose you. 



The word “husnan” (husn) is used to express the phrase “nice words” in the Quran. The same word is used in the following expressions, too: husn an-niyyah (good will), husn az-zan (good thought about someone), husn al-khuluq (high ethics), husn al-qabul (accepting something, welcoming)...



The word has a lot of meanings. It does not mean “beautiful” only. It also has meanings like good, sweet, nice, and pretty. “Nice word” is something that sounds nice, that caresses the heart, that relieves a person, that makes one happy and joyful and that increases one’s excitement and enthusiasm.



“A soft answer turns away wrath” but the “nice word” should have some qualities. With the expressions of the Quran, the nice word should be kind and true, but it must be uttered softly. It is stated as follows in the verses: “speak to them words of kindness and justice” (2), “say a word directed to the Right.” (3)

The “soft word” is also an expression of the Quran. In the verse, the following expression is used: “qawlan layyinan” (soft words).



This method of the Quran is not only a suggestion. It is a way of application and an applied example.



Actually, not one example but two examples. The first example takes place in the life of Hazrat Musa (Moses) and Hazrat Harun (Aaron), who are brothers and prophets.



The Pharaoh of Egypt (Ramses II) claimed to be God. He addressed the people of Egypt as, “I am your Lord, Most High.” (4)



Thereupon, God Almighty assigned Moses and Aaron the duty of conveying the message of Allah to Pharaoh:

“Go both of you to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds; But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah).”



The two brothers and prophets went to Pharaoh, informed him about the existence and oneness of Allah and told him to quit oppressing people, as it is narrated in the chapter Taha in detail.



The soft words affected Pharaoh. They started to talk and negotiate. In the display of magic that was carried out in an environment where the people of Egypt were present, Moses turned out to be right and the winner; the prestige of Pharaoh was affected badly, and he and his army were drowned in the Red Sea.  



The second example is about our Prophet (pbuh).

Our Prophet consulted his Companions before the Battle of Uhud, asked their opinions and decided to meet the enemy outside Madinah at the foot of Mount Uhud, based on the common opinion that was agreed in the consultation. 



The Quran praises the attitude of the Prophet (pbuh) because he was always gentle, smiling and soft in his talks with the Companions before and after the battle. The Quran states that this attitude of his was as a result of the grace and mercy of Allah:

“It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from about thee.” (5)



As a matter of fact, it was not only Moses and our Prophet (pbuh) who acted like that; all of the prophets, primarily Hazrat Yaqub (Jacob) and Hazrat Yusuf (Joseph), the saints, Islamic scholars that entered people’s hearts and that called them to the good and nice things and to the truth acted like that. 

Besides, Islam does not advise rudeness, harshness, breaking and harming things, killing, affecting people using force and weapons; Islam does not let such an approach.

The language of Islam is, “kind, decent and soft words”. That is, kindness, decent and soft language.

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(1) al-Baqara, 2:83.

(2) an-Nisa, 4:8.

(3) al-Ahzab, 33:70.

(4) an-Naziat, 79:24.

(5) Aal-i-Imran, 3:159.