Perhaps we can glimpse in some Quranic Ayahs the features of the answer to these two questions. The questions are: “How to use your voice? How to employ the media?” The answer is explicit at times and implicit at others.
At first, we cite the following Quranic Ayah. It is mentioned as part of the recommendations of Luqman to his son: “And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.” Surah Luqman (31:19)
We notice here an emphasis on keeping the voice low. This psychologically keeps man away from raising his voice. It does this by denuding the high voice from any aspect of beauty and rationality. It is as if he is saying: Even if you raise your voice to the highest levels, your screaming will never reach the level of the donkey’s braying. You yourself get annoyed by it just as the others do. It is the most hateful among all other voices.
What is your opinion regarding this level and this simile?
Actually, the issue does not stand any discussion or debate afterwards. No man accepts to get that low. Thus, he would pay attention and remember that whenever he wanted to raise his voice.
That is why those who resort to screaming lose their poise and social status. This happens when the disposition of the society develops. A developed society only listens to the low voice away from any noise and fuss.
Another Ayah implicitly mentions the exclusive case in which the high voice can be used. Its role is determined by how high one should go to make the others hear him.
As for the other cases, one would lose the said goal. If he raises his voice, it would be as if he is messing around and acting irrationally. Allah says: “And if you speak aloud - then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden.” Surah Taha (20:07)
This Ayah points out that one should not raise his voice when addressing his Lord. He knows the secret and what is yet more hidden. So, what does one need to raise his voice for? In this context, we cannot but cite the following Ayah: “And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.” Surah Al-A'raf (07:205)
From all these Ayahs, we can deduce the wisdom behind the various pitches of voice Allah created for man. He would use every pitch in its appropriate position. For example, it is unlikely for man to use inside the house the same pitch he uses in the farm. He uses that pitch to make others who are hundreds of meters away hear him.
This is not restricted to the human voice. It extends to include the voices coming out of the media outlets. These include radios, televisions, speakers, and recording apparatus. These devices too have several pitches man can employ according to his needs.
Perhaps we can deduce the goal behind these methods mentioned in the Quran. The goal is to prevent man from using his high voice in cases in which it is not needed. The goal is to make him train his human taste. He should employ the functions of his body calmly and rationally. He should do so without offending himself and the others.
Islam wanted that to be part of the mandatory codes of conduct. Muslims had to commit to them when addressing the Prophet (p.). This might extend to include the other sacred Islamic leaderships (Imams). As mentioned in Al-Hujurat Surah: “O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not. Indeed, those who lower their voices before the Messenger of Allah - they are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and a great reward. Indeed, those who call you, [O Muhammad], from behind the chambers - most of them do not use reason. And if they had been patient until you came out to them, it would have been better for them. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” Surah Al-Hujurat (49:02-05)
We notice in another Ayah how the Quran calls on man to keep a normal level of sound. This applies even when observing the acts of worship. He should not raise his voice much. He should not lower it to the level that he would not even hear himself. Rather, he should keep a moderate level. It should deliver the aspired meaning without making noises or causing a fuss. The Ayah is: “And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.” Surah Al-Isra (17:110)
It is worth noting that Islam rejects loud voices when not necessary. This is not restricted to one position and not another. The issue has to do with the nature of the voice and not the content. Thus, there is no difference between the Quran and others. Some naïve people believe that they have the right to raise the volume of the speaker to the fullest. They do this to broadcast the recitation of the Quran or a sermon. They claim that religion imposes on others to succumb and surrender to that. This conception is wrong. Islam wants man to listen to the Quran and sermons with a serene and devoted soul. This cannot take place if the voice was so loud that it causes tension and anxiety.
Many great scholars issued a Fatwa. They forbade using loudspeakers in an annoying manner. This applies if it harms the people. It applies even if it was used to broadcast Quranic recitation.
[Extracted from the book “General Islamic Concepts”]
Perhaps we can glimpse in some Quranic Ayahs the features of the answer to these two questions. The questions are: “How to use your voice? How to employ the media?” The answer is explicit at times and implicit at others.
At first, we cite the following Quranic Ayah. It is mentioned as part of the recommendations of Luqman to his son: “And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.” Surah Luqman (31:19)
We notice here an emphasis on keeping the voice low. This psychologically keeps man away from raising his voice. It does this by denuding the high voice from any aspect of beauty and rationality. It is as if he is saying: Even if you raise your voice to the highest levels, your screaming will never reach the level of the donkey’s braying. You yourself get annoyed by it just as the others do. It is the most hateful among all other voices.
What is your opinion regarding this level and this simile?
Actually, the issue does not stand any discussion or debate afterwards. No man accepts to get that low. Thus, he would pay attention and remember that whenever he wanted to raise his voice.
That is why those who resort to screaming lose their poise and social status. This happens when the disposition of the society develops. A developed society only listens to the low voice away from any noise and fuss.
Another Ayah implicitly mentions the exclusive case in which the high voice can be used. Its role is determined by how high one should go to make the others hear him.
As for the other cases, one would lose the said goal. If he raises his voice, it would be as if he is messing around and acting irrationally. Allah says: “And if you speak aloud - then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden.” Surah Taha (20:07)
This Ayah points out that one should not raise his voice when addressing his Lord. He knows the secret and what is yet more hidden. So, what does one need to raise his voice for? In this context, we cannot but cite the following Ayah: “And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.” Surah Al-A'raf (07:205)
From all these Ayahs, we can deduce the wisdom behind the various pitches of voice Allah created for man. He would use every pitch in its appropriate position. For example, it is unlikely for man to use inside the house the same pitch he uses in the farm. He uses that pitch to make others who are hundreds of meters away hear him.
This is not restricted to the human voice. It extends to include the voices coming out of the media outlets. These include radios, televisions, speakers, and recording apparatus. These devices too have several pitches man can employ according to his needs.
Perhaps we can deduce the goal behind these methods mentioned in the Quran. The goal is to prevent man from using his high voice in cases in which it is not needed. The goal is to make him train his human taste. He should employ the functions of his body calmly and rationally. He should do so without offending himself and the others.
Islam wanted that to be part of the mandatory codes of conduct. Muslims had to commit to them when addressing the Prophet (p.). This might extend to include the other sacred Islamic leaderships (Imams). As mentioned in Al-Hujurat Surah: “O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not. Indeed, those who lower their voices before the Messenger of Allah - they are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and a great reward. Indeed, those who call you, [O Muhammad], from behind the chambers - most of them do not use reason. And if they had been patient until you came out to them, it would have been better for them. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” Surah Al-Hujurat (49:02-05)
We notice in another Ayah how the Quran calls on man to keep a normal level of sound. This applies even when observing the acts of worship. He should not raise his voice much. He should not lower it to the level that he would not even hear himself. Rather, he should keep a moderate level. It should deliver the aspired meaning without making noises or causing a fuss. The Ayah is: “And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.” Surah Al-Isra (17:110)
It is worth noting that Islam rejects loud voices when not necessary. This is not restricted to one position and not another. The issue has to do with the nature of the voice and not the content. Thus, there is no difference between the Quran and others. Some naïve people believe that they have the right to raise the volume of the speaker to the fullest. They do this to broadcast the recitation of the Quran or a sermon. They claim that religion imposes on others to succumb and surrender to that. This conception is wrong. Islam wants man to listen to the Quran and sermons with a serene and devoted soul. This cannot take place if the voice was so loud that it causes tension and anxiety.
Many great scholars issued a Fatwa. They forbade using loudspeakers in an annoying manner. This applies if it harms the people. It applies even if it was used to broadcast Quranic recitation.
[Extracted from the book “General Islamic Concepts”]