Networking In Islam
June 4, 2008 · Reading Time: 1min 51sec · Print This Article
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It is easy to fall into bad ethics and temptation when networking with others, especially in the course of your work and during formal gatherings. Some of these include:
- Being arrogant and forcefully growing happy at belittling others
- Exaggerating your accomplishments
- Choosing only the successful to speak with, brushing aside the less prominent ones
I cannot recall ever seeing an “Islamic Networking Course”, or one conducted by an asatizah. This does not mean that the burden of learning and responsibility lies in their hands alone. We all have a part to play, and we should all strive to be the first (”wa ana awwalul muslimin”) to help advance the richness of knowledge upon the backbone of Islam. Hence here are some for sharing:
ON THE NEGATIVE HABIT OF CHOOSING ONLY TO TALK TO THE SUCCESSFUL
“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things.”
[4:86]
ON THE NEGATIVE HABIT OF BEING SELECTIVE IN AID
“Help each other to goodness and taqwa.”
[5:2]
ON THE DANGER OF NETWORKING WITH ARROGANCE
“Do not strut arrogantly about the earth.”
[17:37]
ON THE DANGER OF NETWORKING WITH ONLY DUNYA IN MIND
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “A man follows the religion of his close friend, so each of you should be very careful about whom he takes as a close friend.”
[Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD TURNOUT AND BEARING DURING NETWORKING
‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “No one who has an atom’s weight of pride in his heart will enter the Garden.” A man said, “And if the man likes his clothes to be good and his sandals to be good?” He said, “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Pride means to renounce the truth and abase people.”
[Muslim]
ON THE DANGER OF FEELING LIKE “THE STAR” DURING NETWORKING
Haritha ibn Wahb said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘Shall I tell you about the people of the Fire? All those who are coarse, domineering, and arrogant.’”
[Agreed upon]
I’ll be the first to admit that it is hard to keep these in check when you attend networking meetings. I guess that’s why we are encouraged to remind each other to protect ourselves against our nafs sometimes. Let’s try and remember these, the next time we network, and remind ourselves that we not only represent ourselves when we network, but we represent Islam too. Cause the best networking tool for a Muslim is not your namecard…
But His Nur (Light). InsyaAllah.
Wallahualam.
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