Behavioral Defects (Reactions apparent in the voice)

Behavioral Defects 

The reactions of those who cannot completely rescue themselves when invited to sincerity, even though they say they believe, make themselves evident to a large extent in defects of the voice, manner of speaking and expression.

As we have mentioned, they may place great importance on their image in the eyes of others, though they know very well that what is most important is to earn the approval of Allah.

Being the target of criticism and having their errors detected are among the things that damage this image the most. Because of this, when they find themselves in circles where this occurs, they display different voices, speech and expressions that are inappropriate to the morality of the faithful. To list these reactions when their insincerity is discovered:

Reactions apparent in the voice

No doubt, people's voices are one of the most important means by which they reflect their emotions and thoughts to the outside world. Most of the time, whether they want to or not, they make their joy, pleasure, affection, interest, fears and concerns—or their tranquility and comfort—apparent through their tone of voice.

Faced with a warning about his Afterlife, a person who lives the morality of the Qur'an tries to understand and implement what he is told with pleasure and eagerness. That pleasure can be easily recognized in his voice.

But in the case of an insincere person, no matter how much he tries to hide the tension he feels because his insincerity has been discovered, sometimes his voice reflects this.

The natural, strong, lively, flowing, easy and healthy voice he uses in everyday life gives way to a tone which is uncomfortable, stiff, cold, choked, hoarse, strangled and troubled and is very difficult to understand.

In such circumstances, the manner of speaking he uses is not the one normally adopted, and especially not during cheerful moments. The best way of judging this is to compare the person's voice with the tone he adopts when served a dish he likes very much, when a favorite piece of music is playing, or when he is given something he wants very much.

In general, a person's normal tone is one he uses when he is cheerful and at peace. The loss of this tone when he is given advice or a warning—that is, when an environment places a strain on him—results from his harboring negative thoughts inside.

Of course, all these details in a person's voice have meaning and contain a message. He sends the impression that he is not happy about the criticism, wants the subject closed right away and otherwise, will put an end to his conversation with the other person and distance himself.

By this means, he is implying that if the person he's talking with uncovers his defects and mistakes, his spiritual state will be disturbed and he will lose his normal peace of mind—so that the other should not go on talking about him in this way and should even take a step back.

No matter how much he may seem to be saying positive things, such a person using this voice may in fact be saying the exact opposite. This is the "rejection tone of voice." Although he may seem to agree, he is not of the same opinion in his heart.

This is one of the most significant signs of the secret insincerity we have been discussing from the start. It can be realized very clearly from his tone of voice that he does not agree with what's being said to him, is not convinced by the explanations and not pleased by the criticism.

But because his words seem to be an acceptance of what he's being told, it's impossible to explain anything to him or persuade him that what he's done is wrong. The person already knows this and is applying this satanic tactic as a way of making a concealed protest.

However, someone who sincerely wants to correct his mistakes and desires to achieve moral perfection expresses his humility, submission and acceptance in the best possible way with his attitude and voice.

By speaking in accordance with the Qur'an with a warm and sincere tone, he demonstrates behavior that inspires trust in the one he's talking to.

The negative behavior of people of the opposite sort springs from their desire to continue their immorality and make other people feel troubled. But never forget that someone who distances himself from the morality of the Qur'an causes the greatest harm to himself.

If he is invited to faith, warned with verses from the Qur'an and can see for himself what is correct but still secretly persists in his insincerity, he deserves secret torment in the life of the world and the torment of Hell in the Hereafter.

In the Qur'an, Allah describes the state of people who think they are deceiving the faithful with their tactical maneuvers:

They think they deceive Allah and those who believe. They deceive no one but themselves but they are not aware of it. There is a sickness in their hearts and Allah has increased their sickness. They will have a painful punishment on account of their denial. (Surat al-Baqara: 9-10)