A reflection on Surah An-Nisa 4:86 - how the Qur'an's guidance on greetings shapes even something as small as a phone call.
A phone call lasts only a few minutes, yet it can reveal a great deal about a person's character: their patience, their timing, their respect for others' peace. We remind our students that adab does not pause when a device is in hand.
Returning a Greeting With Something Better
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا۟ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَآ أَوْ رُدُّوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَسِيبًا
"And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed Allāh is ever, over all things, an Accountant." (Surah An-Nisa 4:86)
Allah (SWT) instructs that when believers are greeted with a greeting, they should greet in return with one better, or at least return it in kind, for Allah is ever, over all things, an accountant. Even a small exchange, a greeting on a call or a message, carries weight before Him.
Guarding the Peace of Others
Every ringtone, call, and interruption is an opportunity to practise ihsan. Phone settings should be managed with care, especially in masajid, gatherings of knowledge, family visits, and quiet spaces, so that a moment's convenience does not come at the cost of someone else's concentration or peace.
We encourage our students to treat every phone interaction, greetings, timing, tone, as part of their character before Allah (SWT), not separate from it. May Allah (SWT) make our students considerate in the smallest of their daily interactions. Ameen.