Whom We Listen To Shapes Who We Become

Introduction

On the 29th of Dhu al-Qa‘dah, we commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (peace be upon him), the ninth Imam of the Ahl al-Bayt. On this occasion, we reflect on one of his profound sayings about the importance of being careful about whose voices, ideas, and messages we allow to influence our minds and hearts – especially in an age overwhelmed by media, influencers, and endless online content.

مَنْ أصْغى إلى ناطِقٍ فَقَدْ عَبَدَهُ، فَإنْ كانَ النّاطِقُ عَنِ اللّهِ فَقَدْ عَبَدَ اللّهَ، وَ إنْ كانَ النّاطِقُ يَنْطِقُ عَنْ لِسانِ إبليس فَقَدْ عَبَدَ إبليسَ.

“Whoever listens attentively to a speaker has in a sense worshipped him. If the speaker speaks on behalf of Allah, then he has worshipped Allah; and if the speaker speaks through the tongue of Satan, then he has worshipped Satan.” (Al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 434)

Educational Messages of the Hadith for Teenagers and Young People

1. Not Every Voice Deserves Your Attention

Many voices online compete for your attention, but not all of them guide you towards goodness.

Practical Challenge: Unfollow one online account this week that negatively affects your faith, behaviour, or mental wellbeing.

2. What You Constantly Listen To Shapes Your Personality

The ideas, music, podcasts, and influencers you regularly follow slowly shape your thinking and behaviour.

Practical Challenge: Spend one day paying attention to the type of content you consume most.

3. Popularity Does Not Mean Truth

Someone being famous or viral does not mean they are wise or morally correct.

Practical Challenge: Before sharing or accepting advice online, ask yourself whether it aligns with Islamic values.

4. Protect Your Mind from Harmful Influences

Repeated exposure to harmful language, immoral behaviour, or negativity weakens the heart over time.

Practical Challenge: Replace 15 minutes of harmful media consumption with beneficial Islamic or educational content.

5. Choose Role Models Carefully

Good role models inspire faith, kindness, discipline, and honesty.

Practical Challenge: Identify one person you admire for their character and reflect on what you can learn from them.

6. Hidden influences are deeply concerning

The effects that music and podcasts have on your mind and beliefs are often neither obvious nor immediate. In many cases, their influence is subtle, indirect, and gradual. You should be very careful about these hidden effects.

Practical Challenge: This week, carefully evaluate one piece of music that you enjoy and reflect on how its lyrics and style affect your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Educational Messages of the Hadith for Parents

1. Pay Attention to What Influences Your Children

Children today are often shaped more by screens and influencers than by family conversations.

Practical Challenge: Spend time this week discussing with your child who they follow online and why.

2. Be a Trusted Voice at Home

Children are more likely to listen to parents who communicate with wisdom, respect, and care.

Practical Challenge: Have one calm and meaningful conversation with your child without distractions.

3. Teach Critical Thinking

Children should learn that not every attractive message or popular opinion is correct. Teach the principles of critical thinking to them.

Practical Challenge: Discuss one online trend with your child and analyse its positive and negative sides together.

4. Create a Healthy Media Environment

The home environment should include beneficial voices, knowledge, and positive conversations.

Practical Challenge: In the car and at home, listen to sounds and content that bring you closer to God.

5. Your Behaviour Is Also a Voice

Children listen not only to your words, but also to your actions and reactions.

Practical Challenge: Reflect this week on one behaviour through which you are indirectly teaching your children.

Educational Messages of the Hadith for Imams and Teachers

1. Teach Media Awareness from an Islamic Perspective

People need guidance on how to deal with the overwhelming influence of modern media and online personalities.

Practical Challenge: Dedicate part of your next lesson to discussing responsible media consumption.

2. Remind People That Voices Influence Faith

Repeated exposure to harmful voices can gradually weaken Islamic values and identity.

Practical Challenge: Give one practical example of how unhealthy voice can slowly affect behaviour and beliefs.

3. Speak with Responsibility

Religious leaders and teachers must recognise the deep impact their words have on others.

Practical Challenge: Before your next talk, reflect carefully on one message you want your audience to remember long-term.

4. Encourage Beneficial Sources of Knowledge

Guide people towards trustworthy scholars, reliable information, and meaningful audio content.

Practical Challenge: Recommend one authentic Islamic resource to your audience this week.

5. Help Young People Build Digital Discipline

Many young Muslims struggle with endless distraction and unhealthy online habits.

Practical Challenge: Encourage your audience to set one daily limit on unnecessary screen or social media use.

6. Teaching Criteria for Choosing the Right Voices

Help your audience develop clear standards for choosing what they listen to — whether music, podcasts, influencers, teachers, or friends — by asking whether those voices strengthen faith, morality, wisdom, and emotional wellbeing.

Practical Challenge: Ask your audience to evaluate one regular source of content this week and reflect on how it affects their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

7. Explain the Signs of Harmful Voices

Teach people to recognize voices that promote immorality, arrogance, hopelessness, materialism, hatred, addiction, or disrespect towards faith and family values.

Practical Challenge: In your next session, discuss one common harmful media influence today and identify the warning signs that Muslims should be aware of.