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Useful Guidelines on Effective Public Speaking
Improving Self Confidence
1. Purify your intention of public speaking by dedicating it to Allâh I so that the Almighty will accept it as a good deed, worthy of supreme rewards especially in the Life Hereafter.
“And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allâh, offering Him sincere devotion, being True (in Faith); establish regular prayer; and to give Zakat. And that is the Religion Right and Straight.” (98:5)
‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab t said: “ I heard Allâh’s Messenger r saying, ‘The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. Thus he whose migration was for Allâh and His Messenger r, his migration had been for Allâh I and His Messenger r, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or take some woman in marriage, his migration had been for that for which he migrated.’” (Bukhâri, 1/1 and Muslim, 3/ 4692)
2. Pray to Allâh I for self-confidence and eloquent speech, say:
“...O my Rabb! Expand me my breast. Ease My task for me; and remove the impediment from my speech, so they may understand what I say.” (Qur'an 20:25-28)
3. Learn the arts of public speaking by being a good listener whenever you have the opportunity to attend lectures and conferences. Remember “The best speakers are always the best listeners.” Listen to how speakers deliver speeches. Learn from their good points and take lessons from their errors. Avoid those errors when it is your turn to give speech.
4. Seek out every opportunity to give a speech. When you are invited to give a speech, do not refuse. Accept it for Allâh’s pleasure. Never make excuses or suggest you are incapable of making a talk.
5. Continue
seeking useful knowledge through attendance in Islamic schools or institutions,
reading or self-study of the Qur’an and Ahadith or participating in
various Islamic lectures and conferences in order to increase your knowledge of
Islam. Remember stock knowledge naturally comes when you speak and thus adds to
your confidence. Keep on
supplicating to Allâh r
for knowledge and wisdom:
“O My Rabb! Increase me in
Knowledge.” (20:114)
“O my Rabb! Bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous. Grant me
honorable mention on o the tongue of truth among the latest (generations).”
Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.”
(26:83-84)
6. Do not think of any negative impressions from your audience. Do not be pessimistic that you will not make it. Always imagine yourself that when you are in front of the platform, you have the self-confidence to make the best speech. Remember, if an audience do not want you to speak or feel no confidence in you, you would not have been invited. Remember also that the listeners (audience) are there to see you and listen to your successful speech. They want you to succeed, not fail. So give them the best out of what you can with self-confidence and trust in Allâh I.
7.
Always think that with Allâh’s help, you can speak well. Always turn to Him
for knowledge, wisdom and eloquent speech. Keep in mind that you can do the best because what you are
doing is for the pleasure of Allâh I
hoping for His best reward.
Always remember in the eyes of Allâh I
you are the best:
“You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind. You enjoin what is right,
forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allâh...” (3:110)
“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allâh, works
righteousness, and says, `I am of those who bow in Islam?’”
(41:33)
Organizing and Preparing the Speech
1. Select/accept a speech, which you know very well or at least have confidence to discuss. Otherwise, spend more time to do some research/reading. This means that you may accept a speech that you do not know very well, only if you are given at least three weeks preparation or enough time to research and prepare.
2. Prepare your speech in a scholarly manner by quoting verses from the Qur’an and authentic Ahadith or other vital sources, relate them to your audience needs and interest. If possible, include teachings that can inspire your audience to follow Islam wholeheartedly as well as those that give admonitions to those who do not follow the Right Path. This is in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet r:
“... And We sent you (O Muhammad) but to give Glad Tidings (to the Believers) and to warn (sinners).” (17:105)
3. Your speech must be well organized. Make an outline of your speech. It should contain three parts: introduction, main body and the conclusions. To capture the audience’s attention, the introduction must be interesting. It should end with meaningful, climatic and striking conclusions that summarize the ideas, suggest applications to them, and move the audience to action.
4. Organize your speech clearly in a logical sequence and simple language. It must not be general, vague or abstract. See to it that it is timely, appropriate and applicable to your audience.
5. Always keep in mind what can the audience get from your speech. Is it worth for them to spend time listening to your speech? What lessons, guidance and wisdom can they get? What appropriate plans and actions they can and must do after listening to your speech? Will your speech arouse your audience interest and improve their character and manners or lives from the Islamic perspective?
6. Sometimes talk about matters from your own factual experience and observations of day-to-day life that may be useful, meaningful and/or of interest to the audience.
7. Read, study, remember and practice your speech. If you attempt to memorize it do not forget what you have memorized. Remember that written speeches, which are read are poor speeches. They do not arouse the audience interest and attention. Most of the people tend to be sleepy especially if the time or the place is conducive to sleeping. Therefore, try not to read your speech. If possible, avoid notes. The exception is when quoting Qur’anic Verses and authentic Ahadith, which must be absolutely correct.
8. If you cannot refrain from reading your speech for some reasons, at least memorize the introductory and concluding parts of your speech. Say them in your own words. But when you are reading the main body of your speech, see to it that you read it very well, with feeling and emotions and look at your audience once in a while.
9. If you are that person who could hardly memorize, just repeat reading your speech for at least three times before your scheduled speech. Read and understand them very well. Then, get your outline and say your speech in your own words based on the outline. Since the outline is brief, try to memorize it and be ready to speak without notes.
10. Imagine rehearsing your speech before sleeping and after waking up any time at night or before and after Fajr time when you can concentrate very well.
11. Never apologize for having unprepared speech. Always have something to say, which is important or beneficial to your audience and then speak with confidence.
Platform Appearance, Conduct and Performance
1. Be ready to appear before the audience on your best appearance (well-groomed hair, tidy shoes, nice, modest and comfortable dress appropriate to the occasion) and best conduct, free from any disrupting mannerisms.
2. Before the start of the program, show friendly attitude to the audience. Smile and try to talk to them if possible. Establish cordiality and harmony with them not putting a gap by considering yourself to be higher than them. Never be misunderstood that you have high pride or that you are arrogant. Be humble enough to treat them as your brothers/sisters in Islam. This will increase your confidence and eliminate your fear of facing the crowd or the public.
3. When about to be called by the moderator, do some deep breathing (without being noticed by the audience) to help you relax and concentrate.
4. On the way to the platform, walk energetically with life and vigor.
5. When you reach the platform act confidently. Don’t be shy. Remember, you are there to convey Islam for the pleasure of Allâh I. Think of Allâh’s reward and not of any negative impression(s) from the audience.
6. Don’t be over-conscious of your self. Avoid rearranging your clothes or fixing your hair, etc. in front of the public.
7. Look at the audience with friendly smile. Look at them as a whole ľ occasionally and naturally from right to left and vice-versa as well as those in the middle of the auditorium/hall. Give the impression that you have eye contact to all of them. Do not focus your eyes/attention to only one person, not at the floor and not on the ceiling, door or walls.
8. Never start your talk apologizing for something. Start your talk with the dhikr (remembrance) of Allâh, the Almighty then say your salam greeting. One of the Prophet’s Sunnah of starting a speech is as follows:
“Praise be to Allâh from Whom we ask help and pardon, and in Whom we take refuge from the evils within ourselves. He whom Allâh guides has no one who can lead him astray, and he whom He leads astray has no one to guide him. I testify that there is no god but Allâh, and I testify that Muhammad r is His servant and Messenger.” (Abu Dawud 2113)
9. In the course of your talk, at least occasionally, praise Allâh I every time you mention His Name by saying I (Subhana wa ta’ala, meaning: the Most High). Say salam invocation to Prophet Muhammad r by saying: r Salallâhu ‘alayhi wassalam, meaning: May the peace and blessings of Allâh be upon him) whenever you mention his name/title.
10. Create the impression that you are really interested in your speech and that it is nice talking to them, sharing them your knowledge of Islâm, for the pleasure of Allâh I.
11. Give the impression of a healthy body and mind as well as religious disposition.
12. Control yourself physically. Never have unnecessary action and unnecessary head movement. Keep your feet together. Have a good position, one, which allows you to be at ease, and which avoids all distracting mannerisms. Avoid rocking back and forth on your heels. Avoid unnecessary showing of the tongue, biting the lips, frequent uttering of some words, frequent scratching, and other disrupting mannerisms. Do not play with pencils or papers while you are speaking. Do not play with your hands while speaking.
13. Maintain your personal dignity at all times while speaking.
14. Show respect and kindness to your audience. Never insult them. Take the Prophet r as your model:
‘Abdullâh bin ‘Amr t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r neither talked in an insulting manner nor did he ever speak evil intentionally. He used to say, “The most beloved to me amongst you is the one who has the best character and manners.” (Bukhâri 5/104)
15. Every now and then give your sincere and natural smile. Do not frown.
16. Never lose your temper when hecklers express ironical, insulting or hurting remarks. Be patient, don’t let such negative remarks grieve you. After all, your goal is to please Allâh I not them. Just calm down, relax and smile. Control your anger as the Prophet r said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Bukhâri 8/ 135 and Muslim 4/6311-6314). Take divine guidance from Allâh I, the Almighty:
“Let not their speech grieve you: for all power and honor belong to Allâh: it is He Who hears and knows (all things).” (10:65)
17. Avoid artificial gestures. To be effective, a gesture must be natural and spontaneous.
18. The best way to convey your speech/message is to be conversational in your speaking. Talk naturally but with clear and well-modulated voice, in a medium rate (fast enough to avoid audience from getting bored and yet slow enough to be clearly understood). Speak loud enough so that you can be heard easily by all people in the audience, including those at the back.
19. Talk clearly and nicely with a sense of feeling and emotions. Use humor as a means of relaxing the audience. A funny, good taste but true story will help arouse audience interest. Refrain from quoting funny anecdotes or stories that are not true just to make your audience laugh. Learn from the Sunnah of the Prophet r who always told the truth even when he joked with his Companions. In fact, he even cursed those who make lies just to make people laugh:
Abu Hurairah t narrated that when they said, “Messenger of Allah, do you make jokes with us!” He r replied, “I say nothing but the truth.” (Tirmidhi 4885)
Mu'awiyah Ibn Jaydah al-Qushayri t narrated that Allah’s Messengerr said, “Woe to him who tells things, speaking falsely, to make people laugh thereby. Woe to him! Woe to him!” (Abu Dawud 4972)
20. Refrain from: 1) stammering; 2) careless articulation, enunciation and pronunciation; 3) frequent utterance of “ahs”, “um” and other distracting noises/expressions; 4) speaking too fast or too slow; 5) speaking with high pitch; 6) coarse voice; and/or 7) lifeless voice that can make people bored.
21. Use proper and appropriate visual aids, if necessary. Make sure they are simple visible and relevant to your speech.
22. Recognize occurrences that take place in the audience or outside which might distract your audience or interrupt your speech. Do not try to talk if someone is walking down the aisle. Wait until he or she has been seated before continuing. Do not attempt to compete with people talking in the audience. Pause before you start to speak.
23. If at the course of your speech you forget what to say, relax and see your audience (from right to left) with the smile while trying to remember what to say. Within your mind, call upon Allâh I and ask His help. Very quickly just say any idea/story that comes into your mind related to your theme without making it obvious that you forgot something. With Allâh’s help, you will eventually remember your ideas.
24. Never talk too much of yourself or over express your personal feelings. Be objective instead of self-centered. You are there to share knowledge, wisdom and Truth and not to talk too much of yourself or your family. Be humble. Don’t be conceited.
25. Aim to seek the “yes response" from your audience by the truthfulness of your speech.
26. Do not bore your listeners. If they read, look at watches, yawn or fall asleep while you are speaking, it is time for you to arouse their interest, otherwise, stop. One way to get their attention is to raise striking questions relevant to your speech.
27. Encourage/entertain relevant questions and answer them briefly, clearly and correctly. If you do not know the answer, ask anybody from the audience. Appreciate correct response. If you do not know the answer better accept the fact. Never give wrong and uncertain answers. Always say the truth.
28. Talk within the time allotted to you, unless you sense your audience to be bored in which case you must stop. But with the tips on how to gain confidence and prepare your speech and above all with the help of Allâh I, insha Allâh, you won’t stop before the time for the reason that your listeners are bored.
29. Never thank the audience with a mechanical “thank you” at the end of your speech. Express thanks graciously to your audience and the organizers of the program. But never forget to thank Allâh, the Almighty, Who has given you the power to improve and beautify your speech. It is Sunnah to recite the following du’a at the end of the gathering/program:
“Subhanaka Allâhuma wa bihamdika. Ash-hadua lâ ilaha illa Anta. Astaghfiruka wa atuubo ilaik.” (“ How perfect you are O Allâh and I praise You. None has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn in repentance to You.” (Tirmidhî 3/153)
30. When you are through with your speech, sit down. When any of your audience expresses appreciation by saying “Masha Allâh” for your nice speech/presentation, be natural to respond kindly with a smile and say, “Alhamdullillah, thank you.”
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