The 10th of Rajab 1447 A.H. marks the birth anniversary of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (p)

What You Hear Becomes Who You Are

In a world overflowing with voices, online, on our phones, in conversations, in entertainment, Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (p) reminds us of a profound spiritual truth that listening is not passive. It is an act of worship.

He says, “Whoever listens to a speaker has worshipped him. If the speaker conveys from God, then he has worshipped God. And if the speaker conveys from Satan, then he has worshipped Satan” (Al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 434). This hadith pushes us to reflect deeply on the influence we allow into our minds and hearts.

1. Listening Is an Act of the Heart

We often think of worship as actions like prayer, fasting, and charity. But Imam al-Jawad (p) teaches that listening itself is an act with spiritual weight. Why? Because listening is about acceptance, receptivity, and influence.

When we give our attention to someone we grant them a place in our heart, allow their ideas to shape us, and we become vulnerable to their worldview. Thus, listening becomes a form of alignment, either toward God or away from Him.

2. Voices That Lead Us to God

The Imam says, “If the speaker conveys from God, then he has worshipped God.” This includes:

• Scholars who speak truthfully
• Elders who remind us of faith
• Friends who encourage goodness
• Teachers who share the Quran and the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt (p)
• Any voice that inspires sincerity, justice, mercy, or remembrance of God

Listening to these voices becomes an act of devotion because they direct us toward what God loves.

3. Voices That Lead Us Away from God

The Imam continues, “If the speaker conveys from Satan, then he has worshipped Satan.” This refers not only to explicit evil, but also to:

• Voices that normalize sin
• Influences that glorify materialism or immorality
• Gossip, backbiting, and slander
• Words that plant doubt, despair, or arrogance
• Entertainment that erodes values and desensitizes the heart

When we willingly expose ourselves to such voices, we slowly internalize what they promote. What we hear becomes what we think… and eventually what we do.

4. The Modern Challenge: Choosing What We Consume

Today, we “listen” far more than we realize:

• Podcasts
• Music
• Social media influencers
• TV shows and movies
• News and commentary
• Conversations at work or with friends

Each of these shapes us quietly. Imam al-Jawad (p) gives us a simple, powerful filter, Does this voice bring me closer to God or pull me away? If it uplifts, teaches, purifies, or reminds us, we should embrace it. If it corrupts, hardens, or distances us, we need to step away.

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For more information on Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (p), click here.

(Click here to learn about varying dates for Islamic events.)