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Actions Speak Louder
Than Words
By Muhammad Reza Muttahari
The most important method used by the Prophet of Islam (SAW) was the
practical method. He would act according to his words. Because of that,
his actions are one of the reliable sources in Islam called the Sunnah
(Tradition). He himself acted upon his words and instructions and used
to train others to do the same in order to more effectively affect
others. The Glorious Qur’an reproaches the people who don’t do what they
say. It says:
“It is most hateful to Allah that you should say that which you don’t
do.” (61:3)
As Muslims saw that the Prophet (SAW) was acting upon his words and
ideas, they became more loyal to Islam because the best manifestation of
one’s opinions and beliefs are one’s actions and education and training
can be learned through actions more than through words. 1
One of the strongest desires in human beings is the desire to imitate. A
child learns many customs, ways of eating, communication, speaking,
dressing. Man imitates others all through his life. But in the 5th or
6th year this desire increases. A child is not aware of corruption in
the society and cannot plan his/her goals. So, he follows his/her
parents and mimics their actions.
A child needs an example in his/her life in order to know what to do.
What behavior to have, and how to face difficulties. He needs to learn
how to solve problems and how to cope with them. 2
For this reason Allah introduces His Prophet (SAW) as the best example
for mankind:
“So I put the best example for you in ‘Rasulullah’. (33:21)
During history, the Prophet (SAW) was the best and most important symbol
for mankind. By using his actions more than his words he served as the
best instructor for mankind.
Moreover, children learn visually more than audibly. Research done by
psychologists prove that 75% of learning happens through eyes, 13%
through ears, 6% through touching, 3% through taste and 3% through
smelling. So it is the parents’ and teachers’ responsibility to guide
children to the right path by their own actions, because the tongue of
action is more effective than the tongue of words (i.e. speech).
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (AS) says: “Guide the people towards Haq (Allah) by
your actions not by your tongue.” 3
Martyr Beheshti in an explanation of this Hadith, says: “If we are asked
from when Muslims collapsed? We have to answer from the time that words
became more than actions. Faith is a light which shines from the
believer’s heart and goes to others’ hearts without the use of the
tongue.” 4
Imam Ali (AS) says: “The advice which no one rejects, and no benefit
equals, is the one which is received through action not through words.”
5
Again the Imam (AS) says: “How can one correct others while he/she is
unable to rectify himself/herself.” 6
Imam Khomeini’s (RA) daughter, Dr. Farideh Mostafavi concerning the
purification and practical education of Imam Khomeini (RA), says: “He
never dictated the religious orders to us as his family. We learnt
through observing his behavior and actions. We were unconsciously
affected by them and always tried to be like Imam (RA) even though we
couldn’t achieve such a personality. From the educational point of view
he was our model. He never did anything which we were forbidden to do.
For example, if he asked us to pray, he used to make ablution 30 minutes
to noon to get prepared to pray, while we were playing in the yard. He
never asked us to pray with him. He always used to call Adhan, but never
asked us to stop playing and start praying.” 7
As Imam Khomeini (RA) used to practice prayer, his actions had the
greatest effect on his children. According to psychologists, parents are
the most effective and reliable models for their children. One of the
experts in religious training wrote:
“Most human behaviors are based on learning and the center for learning
is the family, because the essence of man’s personality is shaped and
perfected in the family.“
He continues: “The most enduring as well as pleasurable learning is
indirect learning. In this kind of learning, the learner observes
his/her model and without any difficulty increases his/her knowledge.
In indirect learning, the learner voluntarily and consciously is
attracted to what he/she observes and acquires all the positive and
useful points. Most of the time in direct learning the learner doesn’t
show the needed motivation to learn the subject.
In learning, observation of the characteristics of parents is very
important to learners, especially if they are children and adolescents.
The more the adult patterns are desirable, attractive and pleasant, the
more their effect will remain and become more influential.
Children love desirable characters and want to attain them. Praying for
small children is one of the actions which they first learn through
observation and eventually have a special feeling towards. In this case,
one who deals with children, like parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,
teachers, have more responsibility.8
Footnotes:
1. The History of Education in Islam and Iran, p. 202.
2. Islamic Education, pp. 108-110.
3. Safinatul-Bihar, vol. 2, p. 278.
4. Persian Daily Newspaper Jamhoori Islami, dated 9/6/1991.
5. Ghorarul-Hekam, chapter 9, No. 162.
6. Awareness and Responsibility, pp. 1-5.
7. Along with the Sun, vol. 1, p. 100.
8. The Ways of Religious Education of Children, pp. 12, 15-17. |