5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

Yes, he never fell short in terms of nourishing and clothing her, but he would never try to enchant her with sweet talk. All sensible people agree that the most important quality a salesman should have is to be charming in his speech, such that he repeatedly says, "Please! Welcome! Leave your worries to us!' The salesman would continue to increase the price as he adds his own charm. If he is able to express himself well, describe his product in a positive way and convince the customers to buy it, there is no doubt he would be successful. All experienced people concur that from the most important qualities in a receptionist is that he should be well-spoken and eloquent. Each time he says, "Yes, sure, OK, "We are at your sevice." It should be pleasing to the ears. A woman may become captivated by the love of her husband, even if he may be stingy and not so handsome, by being enchanted by his speech. I remember that an adolescent man loved to be adventurous with girls. He had an amazing ability to enchant them with his singing. How many girls were captivated by his love and clung to him like the shoes on his feet! What is more amazing is that he neither had a beautiful car to lure them with, nor did he have money to shower them with gifts. He wasn't even gifted with a charming and beautiful face. Rather, I ask Allah that none is ever tested by looking at his face! But his jaws possessed a tongue with which he would mesmerise anyone and anything he spoke to. With his tongue he would captivate girls and put them under a spell. Whoever looks at the life of the Messenger of Allah and history would discover astounding incidents. One day there came to the Messenger of Allah three men who were considered leaders among their people: Qays bin 'Asim, al-Zabarqan bin Badr and 'Amr bin al-Ahtam. They were all from the tribe of Tamim. They began to praise each other, so al-Zabarqan said, "O Messenger of Allah, I am the leader of Tamim. I am the one who is obeyed and responded to amongst them. I forbid them from oppression and guarantee their rights." He then pointed to the other leader, 'Amr bin al-Ahtam and said, "He knows what I am talking about." 'Amr then praised him saying, "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah! He is fierce in opposition, defends his flank and is obeyed by his people." 'Amr then fell silent and did not praise him more. Al-Zarbaqan was expecting to hear more in praise, but 'Amr was rather brief. Al-Zarbaqan became angry since he had wished that he would have been praised slightly more. He thought that he was envious over his leadership, so he said, "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, he knows what he said, and nothing prevented The magician him from saying more except that he envies me for my leadership!" Thereupon, 'Amr became angry and said, "Would I envy you for your leadership? By Allah you are an ignoble uncle who has just acquired some wealth from a stupid father and are the most wasteful in your family! By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I was truthful in what I said initially, and I have not lied in what I have said to you now. When I was happy, I said the best I could about him, and when I became angry, I said the worst I could. By Allah, I was correct both times!" The Prophet was so surprised at the speed at which he argued so convincingly and so skilfully that he said, "Some rhetoric is magic! Some rhetoric is magic!" (al-Hakim with a disputed chain, although the origin of the hadith is in al-Bukhari and Muslim) Thus, be skilful with your tongue. If someone asks you for a pen, say, "Sure, here you are..." If someone says, "I have a request...", say, "At your service!" If he says, "I would like you to do a favour for me", you should say, "By all means!" Use the various modes of speech that would move people's emotions. Speak to your mother in a soft tone and by using beautiful words, and the same goes for your father, wife, children and colleagues. Speaking in this manner would not cost you anything, but would only enchant those you speak to and get rid of any ill feelings they may have for you. Just look at the Ansar – may Allah be pleased with them all – after the battle of Hunayn. The Ansar, who fought alongside the Prophet at Badr, who were killed at Badr, who were sur80 The magician rounded at Khandaq and continued to stay with him, fighting and being killed until they eventually conquered Makkah, after which they headed for the battle of Hunayn. It is reported in al-Bukhari and Muslim that the early part of the battle was intense. People left and dispersed, leaving the Prophet exposed.