Techniques of Speaking

TECHNIQUES OF DA'WAH RELATED PUBLIC SPEAKING
by
Dr. ZAKIR NAIK
I- IMPORTANT TIPS
1. Body Language is very, very important.

2. It is preferable that the talk be given without the help of notes.
3. Speak without a podium to enable the audience to observe the body
language.
4. Before beginning your speech, remove any disturbances that may cause
obstruction or hindrance.
II - PERSONAL APPEARANCE:
1. Keep a Beard.
(Sahih Bukhari Vol. 7, Book of Dress, Chapter no. 64 and 65 Hadith no.
780 & 781)
2. It is preferable to wear a cap which is clean or cover your head.(if the
label shows your intent, wear it!)
3. Wear formal clothes (avoid T-shirts, jeans and other casual wear).
4. Wear formal shoes (avoid track shoes, slippers, etc.). If footwear are not
allowed, wear only clean, untorn socks.
5. Do not wear neck chains or wrist chains.
6. Avoid wearing glamorous things like shining watches, rings, etc.
7. Do not wear belts with big showy buckles.
8. Button your shirt (except for collar button, all the other buttons should be
closed).
9. Do not fold your sleeves while lecturing.
10. Do not keep anything (not even a pen) in your shirt pocket. Do not clutter
your trouser pockets with things not required.
11. If spectacles are worn then the frame should not be glamorous. (If the
talk is being video recorded, then preferably the glasses should have an
antiglare coating).
12. Your overall appearance should be smart, appealing and confident.
III - POSTURE:
1. It is preferable to stand and talk rather than sitting and speaking.
2. While standing, your legs should neither be too far apart nor too close.
3. Stand erect on both your feet, without bending them at the knees.
4. Stand upright and not with drooping shoulders.
5. Do not move to and fro, i.e. sideways, or front and backward.
6. Do not shake unnecessarily.
7. Do not lean on anything like table, chair, etc.
8. Your posture should be confident and energetic. It should be relaxed and
not tense.
IV - GESTURES:
1. Do not stand rigid like a statue.

2. Make gestures with hands very often.
3. Gestures should be natural and not acted out or preplanned. (You may,
however, see your own trial performance in the mirror to evaluate the
effectiveness and impression of your gestures).
4. Gestures should be related to the matter that is being spoken.
5. Avoid making similar gestures repeatedly throughout the speech.
6. Your facial expressions should be warm, genial and cordial, and not
appear stern or angry.
7. Your face should have expressions according to the matter of your
speech.
8. If you have to turn or make a movement, do it from the hip and upper
part of the body.
V- TERMINUS:
1. Your hands should be placed one on top of the other on the navel or
slightly below or above the navel, (or on the podium) when at rest, i.e.
while not making gestures.
2. Do not put your hands in your pockets or behind your back.
3. Do not play with your fingers.
4. Do not bite your nails.
5. Do not fidget with your clothes.
6. Do not fidget with the mike, or the wire, or any article such as pen, paper,
etc.
VI - EYE MOVEMENT:
1. At the beginning of the talk give a glance throughout the audience.
2. Have eye to eye contact with as much of the audience as possible (each
and every one if possible if you have a small audience).
3. Do not look at the opposite sex if they are present in the audience. You
may however give a passing glance occasionally.
4. Look more often at the target audience (e.g. Non-Muslims, Questioners,
etc.).
5. You may draw attention of a person in the audience by looking at him
directly. However, if this person continues to disturb or distract, it may be
advisable at such times to ignore the distraction and continue with your
talk.
6. It will be helpful to you and enhance your confidence if you look more at
those sections of the audience that appear to be supportive and
attentive.
7. Do not look at or fix your gaze on the ceiling, floor, empty space or above
the heads of the audience.
8. If referring to your notes is unavoidable, then do not peep at them from
far in an apologetic half-hearted manner, but instead hold them close to
you and look at them properly in a dignified manner.
VII - MIKE HANDLING:
1. If possible, prior to the commencement of the programme, adjust the

equalizer (treble and bass or hi, mid and low), i.e. quality of the tone
suitable to your voice.
2. Always insist that the mike be fixed on a floor stand without a podium.
3. Adjust the mike according to your height before the programme begins.
4. If the mike is not adjusted before the programme, do it before beginning
your speech. (It is better to spend a few seconds at the start, rather than
being uncomfortable throughout the speech or to disturb your speech in
between to adjust the mike).
5. If the mike has an on/off switch, check that it is in the 'on' position before
beginning the speech.
6. The mike should not cover your face, as it would obstruct the view of the
audience and the video shooting.
7. Your mouth should be a few inches away from the mike (not too close,
nor too far). Distance also depends on the sensitivity of the mike.
8. The distance between the mouth and the mike should be constant
throughout the speech and should not vary.
9. Sometimes for emphasis, you may move your mouth close to the mike
without raising your voice.
10. The mouth should always be pointing towards the mike throughout the
speech and should not vary at any point.
11. If you have to look in another direction, for eg. towards the chairman who
is sitting behind on the stage, take a side step forward and then looking
at the chairman, speak into the mike and not away from the mike.
12. Do not speak when your mouth moves away from the mike, e.g. while
picking up a book from the table.
13. Never hold the mike on the stand while speaking.
14. Avoid giving a talk with a handheld mike since the gestures become
restricted. There is a tendency for the hand to move thereby creating
variations in the sound.
VIII - SPEECH:
1. Speak loudly.
2. Speak at a moderate speed, neither too slow nor too fast.
3. People can usually listen faster than the speed at which they can speak.
Thus there should not be pauses or blanks, leaving the audience without
something to listen and allowing their attention to be diverted.
4. However, after speaking on a difficult or unusual matter, give a short

pause for the audience to grasp and assimilate the information.
5. Speak clearly. Speech should not be slurred.
6. Speak confidently.
7. Speak with energy and enthusiasm. (You have to enthuse and charge-
up the audience).
8. Speak forcefully (assertively) with conviction. Be persuasive.
9. Repeat the important points for emphasis when required.
10. During normal speech there should not be any repetition.
11. Do not speak monotonously. Modulate/Alter your voice. Change the

Speed / Pace, Tone and Pitch appropriately (High tone, Low tone,
hushed voice, depending on the matter). As far as possible, ensure that
you hold the interest of your audience throughout your lecture.
12. Do not have a patterned speech like a sing-song voice which goes up
and down at regular intervals. The concentration of the audience is lost.
(This is common in memorised speeches).
13. However, rhythmic tempo in choice of words can be used.

14. Do not interrupt your speech for petty reasons.
IX - MISCELLANEOUS:
1. Before the commencement of the speech, walk confidently and calmly

towards the mike and not in a tense and rapid manner.
2. Pause confidently before starting the speech.
3. If there is any disturbance during the speech, if it can be overlooked,

overlook it; or ask the disturbance to be stopped verbally, but don't
interrupt your speech intermittently during the disturbance. The attention
of the audience will be diverted at intervals and you will loose your grip
on them.
4. It is preferable to drink water before starting the speech to lubricate the

mouth. Only drink room temperature water and not cold water (Avoid
drinking water while standing).
5. Visit the venue in advance, if possible, to familiarise yourself with the hall
and the surroundings.
6. The public address system should be professional, as sound is the most

important part of the talk.
7. Prepare a checklist of all the requirements. eg. (i) Professional Public

Address System (ii) Mike on floor stand without a podium, (iii) A glass
with a jug of water (at room temperature) to be kept on the table. These
requirements and the check list can be given to the organisers, well in
advance.
X- SEEK ALLAH'S HELP:
1. Do your supplications and du'as seeking Allah's help and support.

2. It is highly recommended that you offer two rakaah Salaah before the
talk (seeking Allah's help) and also after the talk (as thanksgiving).
3. Always be in 'Tahaarat' (state of ablution) while delivering a speech.

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TECHNIQUES OF DA'WAH RELATED PUBLIC SPEAKING

Dr. ZAKIR NAIK

1. Body Language is very, very important.

1. Do not stand rigid like a statue.

2. Do not put your hands in your pockets or behind your back.

3. Do not play with your fingers.

4. Do not bite your nails.

5. Do not fidget with your clothes.

VII - MIKE HANDLING:

1. If possible, prior to the commencement of the programme, adjust the

13. Never hold the mike on the stand while speaking.

2. Speak at a moderate speed, neither too slow nor too fast.

4. However, after speaking on a difficult or unusual matter, give a short

5. Speak clearly. Speech should not be slurred.

8. Speak forcefully (assertively) with conviction. Be persuasive.

9. Repeat the important points for emphasis when required.

10. During normal speech there should not be any repetition.

11. Do not speak monotonously. Modulate/Alter your voice. Change the

13. However, rhythmic tempo in choice of words can be used.

1. Before the commencement of the speech, walk confidently and calmly

2. Pause confidently before starting the speech.

3. If there is any disturbance during the speech, if it can be overlooked,

4. It is preferable to drink water before starting the speech to lubricate the

6. The public address system should be professional, as sound is the most

7. Prepare a checklist of all the requirements. eg. (i) Professional Public

X- SEEK ALLAH'S HELP:

1. Do your supplications and du'as seeking Allah's help and support.

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