Communication is one of the most important elements in human interaction. People who share the same social environment are constantly engaged in communication with one another. Even doing nothing is a form of behavior. Just like speaking or acting, remaining silent or still also conveys a message. Every reaction—positive or negative, conscious or unconscious—carries a message. Even in a simple communication process, a person may be the source sending the message, the receiver receiving it, the channel through which it’s transmitted, or sometimes even the message itself or a direct medium for it. As we can see, communication is an innate human behavior. In this article, we will explore how our Prophet, the Eternal Light (peace and blessings be upon him), emphasized communication in his life.
The Prophet’s Captivating Dialogue
Throughout his prophethood, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) not only conveyed divine messages but also represented the source of those messages with a sacred mission. He fulfilled his divine purpose through exemplary dialogue and communication with people. By using various methods of communication, he made divine messages comprehensible, hearable, tangible, readable, and writable—ultimately making them livable and reproducible. The acceptance of Islam was undoubtedly influenced by the Prophet’s unwavering dedication and compelling communication with those around him—built on a love that surpassed all worldly bonds. Indeed, God (Glorified and Exalted be He), who honored him with prophethood, commanded him to proclaim the divine message fearlessly: “O Messenger! Convey what has been sent down to you from your Lord. If you do not, then you have not delivered His message…” (Qur’an, al-Ma’idah, 67).
This verse makes it clear that no matter the circumstances, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was to continue communicating with people. However, while fulfilling this prophetic mission under God’s protection, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) faced numerous hardships and obstructions. On one occasion, the Quraysh polytheists approached Abu Talib, his uncle, urging him to stop supporting Muhammad. Although Abu Talib had not accepted his prophethood, he cared deeply for his nephew and said: “My dear nephew, protect yourself and me! Don’t burden me with something I can’t handle.” To this, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) firmly responded:
“O my uncle! I swear by God, even if they were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, in order for me to abandon this divine duty, I would never give it up… Even if you were to leave me, I would not stop. My Lord, the Almighty God, is sufficient for me!” (Hamidullah, 1, 109). Through this unwavering stance, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized that delivering the divine message was the very purpose of his existence. In response, the Meccans persisted, pressuring him to abandon his prophetic mission, offering wealth, leadership, women, and even medical treatment if he was unwell—anything they thought might sway him (Ibn Hisham, 1, 190).
Yet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) rejected all of these offers, determined to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him by God—even if he had to do it alone. As the divine revelation that shaped his life declared: “So call to the Truth, and remain steadfast as you are commanded…” (Qur’an, ash-Shura, 15).
Jihad as a Method of Communication
One of the key elements that motivated our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to engage in communication was the command of jihad. Allah entrusted him with this noble duty in the verse: “O Prophet! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites…” (Qur’an, At-Tawbah, 73).
In Islamic literature, jihad is broadly defined as “learning and living according to the teachings of religion, teaching others, promoting good and discouraging evil, spreading the message of Islam, and striving against both the inner self and external enemies” (Özel, 527).
In fact, when referring specifically to armed conflict between two groups, the Qur’an uses the terms harb and qitāl, along with their derivatives (see: Al-Ma’idah, 64; Al-Baqarah, 190; An-Nisa, 77). Despite the comprehensive meaning of jihad, Islamic jurists often focused more on the aspect of warfare against non-Muslims—primarily because this type of jihad carries legal implications and consequences (Özel, 528). It should also be considered that the legal scholars’ emphasis on the militant aspect of jihad was influenced by the fact that they lived in times and societies frequently engaged in war. Thus, the resort to such armed jihad is only justified in response to direct or indirect aggression against Muslims’ lives, property, lands, or independence; attempts to undermine their security, force them from their faith, or restrict their freedom to convey the message of Islam (Zuhayli, 1996, 80). In cases where jihad becomes a matter of military conflict and legal standing, it pertains solely to the armed forces.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Always Favored Dialogue
The broader objective of jihad, however, involves not just the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), but all believers. In this context, the focus of communication is learning the religion and conveying it to others through various methods—verbal, nonverbal, and written. During the 13 years in Mecca, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) practiced jihad by striving to persuade people through peaceful means. In Medina, he employed different communication strategies. In the communication approach brought by the Prophet, armed struggle was never the primary goal. On the contrary, love, respect, compassion, justice, and tolerance were the core principles. He always sought grounds for dialogue and aimed to establish successful communication in all areas of life. This is clearly reflected in his efforts to negotiate and make treaties—not only with the Meccans but also with the Jews of Medina and surrounding tribes and towns. He even sent invitation letters to rulers of other states, showing his intent to communicate through peace rather than war. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah is one of the most vivid examples of this approach. However, when the other parties blocked avenues for peace and agreements, declared enmity against Islam and its followers, and attempted to eliminate Muslims or hinder the spread of Islam’s message, military measures were taken only as a last resort. In short, “Islam did not spread by the sword, but through the power of the word” (Turnagil, 1993/63).
The Most Beautiful Struggle
Another fundamental principle in the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) communication was the divine statement: “There is no compulsion in religion.” (Qur’an, Al-Baqarah, 256). The Prophet placed great importance on persuasion, aiming to form a sincere and honest community of believers who were genuine in their faith, not just outwardly conforming. Otherwise, God commanded him to say: “To you be your religion, and to me, mine.” (Qur’an, Al-Kafirun, 6). The hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that states: “The best form of jihad is to speak the truth in the presence of a tyrannical ruler.” (Abu Dawud, Malahim, 17) is a clear indicator of how deeply he valued interpersonal dialogue and face-to-face communication. In Mecca, especially during the early years of Islam, he demonstrated the most powerful forms of jihad by confronting the polytheists, speaking to them one-on-one or in groups, inviting them to faith, and trying to guide them away from the beliefs of their ancestors. In Medina, he fostered a climate of dialogue with followers of other religions, building positive relationships based on mutual human rights and freedoms. In this too, he followed the Qur’anic command: “And do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner…” (Qur’an, Al-Ankabut, 46).
Love for Humanity and Communication
The Qur’an’s guidance on this matter formed the foundation of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) approach to communication. He was a gentle adviser, not a tyrant (see Al-Ghashiyah, 21–22), yet he was deeply eager for people to connect with the message he conveyed. Indeed, when he received the command, “Warn your closest relatives” (Ash-Shu‘ara, 214), he took it to heart—so much so that he felt responsible for delivering his message even to someone like Wahshi, the killer of his uncle Hamza.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) prioritized human relationships, emphasizing that all people—regardless of faith, language, race, color, gender, or social status- are entitled to basic human rights. He clearly and firmly rejected all forms of discrimination. He encouraged mutual love with the words: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe. And you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you something that, if you practice it, will help you grow love among yourselves? Spread peace (salām) among you.” (Muslim, Īmān, 93; Ahmad, Musnad, I, 165)
With this hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) promoted mutual love and also emphasized that even something as simple as a smile is an act of goodness. He wasn’t only teaching that love for others is a sign of faith or that loving for the sake of God is one of the highest forms of worship—he was also drawing attention to how greetings and a pleasant demeanor can foster healthy communication.
He personally showed this in his life—always inquiring about his companions and checking on their well-being if they were absent. His deep concern for them is beautifully summarized in the Qur’anic verse: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Your suffering distresses him. He is deeply concerned for you and full of kindness and mercy toward the believers.” (At-Tawbah, 128)
The Prophet Valued Thoughts and Opinions
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also expected the same level of care and attentiveness from his companions. He said: “The relationship between believers is like the bricks of a wall, each strengthening the other.” (Bukhari, Salāt, 88)
With this, he encouraged closeness, solidarity, and a dynamic form of interaction and communication. He also strongly condemned behaviors that damage communication. Actions he considered incompatible with a sincere Muslim character included lying, bearing false witness, betraying trust, breaking promises, and verbally attacking someone in an argument. He viewed such behavior as forms of hypocrisy. (See: Bukhari, Shahādāt, 10; Muslim, Īmān, 143–144; Ahmad, Musnad, III, 131) The Qur’an similarly forbids mocking others, holding negative assumptions, seeking out people’s faults, prying into private lives, and gossiping. Instead, it promotes preserving brotherhood and friendship through love-centered and sincere communication. (See: Al-Hujurāt, 10–12)
In line with the Qur’anic command: “Do not insult those they invoke besides God, lest they insult God in enmity without knowledge…” (Al-An‘ām, 108), The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “Do not speak ill of your dead, for you are only causing pain to the living.” (Bukhari, Adab, 4; Ahmad, Musnad, III, 131)
Throughout his life, he refrained from attacking the sacred values of those he engaged in dialogue with. After all, a person who feels their own beliefs and ideas are not respected is unlikely to show respect for others’ perspectives or sustain meaningful communication.
Communication is a Human Right
It is a fact that people often seek close attention from others, and they tend to remember those who are present with them in significant moments. These are the times when they want to share their sorrow or joy. In such situations, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who always advocated for effective human-to-human communication, said: “A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim: to greet him with peace when they meet, to respond with good wishes when he sneezes, to accept his invitation when invited, to offer sincere advice when requested, to visit him when he is ill, and to attend his funeral when he dies.” (Muslim, Salām, 6; Ahmad, Musnad, II, 68) The Prophet’s view of these behaviors as mutual rights and responsibilities that positively contribute to interpersonal communication highlights just how much he valued the connection between people. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not approve of the interruption of communication. He emphasized the need to restore any broken dialogue or relationship, regardless of the cause, saying: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to remain angry with his brother for more than three days.” (Muslim, Birr, 23; Ahmad, Musnad, I, 176)
The Qur’an also underscores the importance of communication in verses like: “Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you. So forgive them, ask forgiveness for them, and consult with them in matters.” (Āl ‘Imrān, 159)
“Be forgiving, order what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.”
(Al-A‘rāf, 199) These verses highlight the importance and care that should be given to communication. In another saying, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed believers on how to respond to wrongdoing according to their ability: “Whoever among you sees something wrong should change it with his hand. If he is not able, then with his tongue. And if he cannot even do that, then with his heart—and that is the weakest level of faith.” (Muslim, Īmān, 78; Tirmidhī, Fitan, 11)
He would pray for those who internalized his words and conveyed them to others, saying: “May God brighten the face of the one who hears my words, learns them, and conveys them to others.” (Ibn Mājah, Muqaddimah, 18) His advice at the end of the Farewell Sermon is a remarkable indication of how vital he considered communication in human life: “Let those who are present convey this message to those who are absent. For it may be that the one who hears it secondhand understands it better than the one who heard it directly.” (Bukhārī, Hajj, 132) Those who could not be present or those who would come in later generations would only come to know the Prophet’s message through others. This shows that for a Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) whose mission was communication, raising awareness about the importance of communication was itself a sacred aim.
In sum, when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought the divine message and delivered it to humanity, he also taught us the value and indispensability of communication. To illustrate this point further, let us recall the words of the author of Sonsuz Nur (Eternal Light):
*“Even at the height of victory, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) paid great attention to individual relationships. Though he knew that the people of Mecca would eventually embrace Islam within a couple of years, he still welcomed the likes of Khālid ibn al-Walīd and ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās with exceptional honor. He even sent some of his companions to meet them on their way. When Khālid reached out his hand as a sign of submission, the Prophet said to him: ‘I always wondered how a man as intelligent as Khālid could remain in disbelief. I was certain that a day would come when you would become a Muslim.’ These words were among the highest forms of recognition one could receive, especially in such a moment. Who knows what kind of spiritual awakening Khālid experienced with these words? At the same time, ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās held the Prophet’s hand tightly and wouldn’t let go. He kept insisting, ‘O Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), pray for me! Ask God to forgive me!’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) responded with a smile: ‘Do you not know that Islam wipes away all that came before it? When a person embraces Islam, he becomes as pure as the day his mother gave birth to him.’” (Ahmad, Musnad, 4/199, 205; Muslim, Īmān, 52)
This Religion Will Surely Reach Every Place Touched by Night and Day
Indeed, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) had captured hearts, and he channeled the love and reverence people showed him into the cause of delivering the divine message. People were flocking to him in large numbers, embracing his religion with eager devotion. That wave of spiritual awakening from his time has continued to this very day. We firmly believe—and confidently assume—that the blessed message of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will continue, with its unique brilliance, all the way until the end of time. Those who represent the Prophet’s mission of conveying this message will not leave a single corner of the world untouched. And while doing so, they will act as true devotees of love and compassion. As a matter of fact, this reality is heralded in the following hadith: “This religion will certainly reach every place that the night and day reach. God will not leave a house—whether made of earth or of hair (tent)—untouched by this religion. Some will embrace it with honor, others will reject it and be disgraced. God will bestow honor upon Islam and disgrace upon disbelief.” Canan, 2/324)
Yes, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a uniquely distinguished figure who used the most effective methods of communication and exemplified universal values in this field. With the hopeful words mentioned above, he extended a heartfelt invitation to those eager souls who are ready to carry the truth of Islam to hearts in need. What remains is for people to understand these truths deeply and reflect them in their lives.
Assistant Professor Dr. Yusuf Macit, Issue: 94, Year: 2011