Language Encourage Better Listening | |
One thing I found fascinating about Japanese and Korean is how their sentence is structured. Unlike English, Japanese (and Korean) usually puts the verb at the end of the sentence. That means you often have to listen to the entire sentence before you know exactly what the speaker is trying to say. 😄 |
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Because of that, interrupting someone in the middle of a sentence is much less common. People naturally wait until the other person has finished speaking. While that's partly because of how the language works, it also encourages patience and good listening. | |
As a Muslim... | |
this reminded me of Allah's words: "Those who listen carefully to what is said and follow the best of it..." (Qur'an 39:18) | |
Another example from the Prophet's character is that he gave people his full attention: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would turn his whole body toward the person he was speaking to." (Reported in Sunan al-Tirmidhi) | |
~ To be continued | |
A Culture of Kindness | |
| Another striking aspect is the warm and courteous way people interact with one another. Whether you're asking for directions or receiving customer service, it's common to be greeted with kindness, patience, and a genuine willingness to help. Making others feel welcome seems to be an important part of everyday life. 😄 This same spirit of consideration can also be seen in people's willingness to apologize, even for small inconveniences. Whether it's arriving a minute late, accidentally getting in someone's way, or being unable to help, a sincere apology is often offered without hesitation. Rather than being seen as a sign of weakness, apologizing is viewed as a simple expression of humility, respect, and consideration for others. |
As a Muslim... | |
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6018; Sahih Muslim 47) | |
Kindness and GentlenessAllah says: "Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence (ihsan), and giving to relatives..." (Qur'an 16:90). Ihsan means striving for excellence in how we treat others—not merely doing the minimum, but acting with kindness and grace. | |
Also... | |
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most beloved of you to me, and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection, are those with the best character." (Jami' al-Tirmidhi 2018; graded hasan) He also said: "Your smile for your brother is charity." (Jami' al-Tirmidhi 1956; graded sahih by al-Albani) | |
~ To be continued... | |
Respecting Others' Time | |
What also stands out is the culture's respect for time, order, and organization. People generally wait their turn, follow queues, and avoid inconveniencing others. These small everyday habits help create an environment that feels efficient, respectful, and considerate of everyone's time. |
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This mindset extends beyond simply standing in line. People often arrive on time, keep public spaces orderly, and do their part without needing to be reminded. Rather than focusing only on personal convenience, there is a strong awareness of how one's actions affect those around them. These everyday habits may seem small on their own, but together they create a society where people can trust that things will run smoothly and that everyone is doing their part. | |
As a Muslim... | |
this reminded me of the Prophet's ﷺ words: "There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm." (Sunan Ibn Majah 2340). | |
Also... | |
The Qur'an also praises those who fulfill their trusts and commitments: "Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due..." (Qur'an 4:58) and... "...those who are faithful to their trusts and their promises." (Qur'an 23:8) | |
~ This is only the beginning—many more fascinating similarities await. Until next time, feel free to join the discussion and subscribe by clicking the eye icon next to the title above to be notified whenever I post a new reply. Thank you! | |
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