Soft skills and the Seerah

Soft Skills:

Soft skills refer to personal traits and abilities (Insaani Sifaat) that enable us to communicate, interact, and collaborate effectively. 

You can think of soft skills as the qualities a person shows during interactions with others (Muamalat).

Soft Skills in Action:

A practical example of soft skills can be seen in a team project, whether at work or in a classroom setting. 

Consider a group of students collaborating on a science project. Each student brings a unique ability to the table: one is skillful at research, another at organization, another at presenting, and so on.

However, beyond these technical skills, it’s their soft skills—such as communication, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork—that drive the project’s success. 

Here’s how:

1. Communication: Each student listens attentively to others' ideas and expresses their own thoughts clearly. This helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page.

2. Empathy: They provide support when someone feels nervous about their tasks or is facing personal challenges. This helps create a positive environment where everyone feels valued.

3. Adaptability: If plans change (for example, if they need to switch the project focus), they adjust smoothly without becoming frustrated or demotivated. 

4. Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution: If disagreements arise—say one student feels their idea wasn’t considered—they discuss it openly and respectfully, finding a solution without letting tensions disrupt the teamwork. 

In this example, soft skills (Insaani Sifaat) like empathy, adaptability, and communication are just as important as technical skills for achieving the project goal. 

Why do we need Soft Skills?

Soft skills are like superpowers which can be used to achieve your goals. 

Critical Thinking:

Critical thinking refers to a set of skills that enables us to make informed and logical decisions to the best of our ability. 

Core Critical Thinking Skills: 

• Analysis: Breaking down information into simpler parts to understand it better. 
• Evaluation: Comparing different viewpoints and arguments, and pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. Evaluation also includes judging the relevance of claims within an argument. 
• Reasoning: Using logic and evidence to draw conclusions. 
• Problem-solving: Identifying a problem, finding the cause behind it, exploring and evaluating potential solutions, and applying the best solution. 
• Decision-making: Weighing different options and selecting the best one. 

Examples from the Life of the Prophet (ﷺ):

1. Before the Battle of Badr:

Immediately before the battle of Badr, the Prophet dismounted at specific spot, and the companion asked whether this spot for the battle was divinely revealed or was it his own opinion. To which, the Prophet replied, it was my own judgement. So, the companion gave an alternative opinion, which had more weight in terms of results, so the prophet agreed with his opinion. 

"O the Messenger of Allah, has Allah inspired you to choose this very spot, so we cannot go onward or backward? Or is it the strategy of war and the product of consultation?" The Prophet replied, "it is the strategy of war and the product of consultation (shura)." Al-Habab said: "This place is no good, let us go and settle on the nearest water to seize the water-supply, and build a basin full of water, then destroy all the other wells, then we fight the people, so that they will be deprived of the water." The Prophet said: "You have given the exact advice." The Prophet approved of his plan and agreed to carry it out.".

Source: Seerah Ibn Hisham

Guidance: Analysis, Evaluation, and Decision Making.

2. Battle of Trench (Trench): 

Salman Bin Farsi

3. Battle of Uhud: 

The consequence of not following order, or going against the Shura. 

Communication Skills: 

Listening Skills:

1. Giving full attention. 

2. Reflect on the points of the speaker.

3. Ask questions for clarification.

4. Avoid interruption or questioning or judging before the speaker completes his points.

5. Making eye-contact with the speaker. 

Listening Skills Activities: Chinese Whispers and Speed Networking. 

Examples from the Life of the Prophet (ﷺ):

Speaking Skills:

1. Use simple language.

2. Speaker should make eye-contact with the audience.

3. Speak in a clear voice (Chinese Whisper example).

4. Know your audience. Speak according to their background.

5. Adjust your volume according to the situation.

6. Repetition or rehearsal before giving a speech. 

Teamwork and Leadership: 

1. Introduction of Shabab: To form connection between the group. 

2. Related Activity: Human Knot Activity

Other Activities:

Blind Fold Activity: 

It involves effective communication, leadership skills, teamwork, and proper decision making. 

Capture the Flag Activity:

It involves teamwork, leadership skills, effective communication, and lastly effective planning. 

Unrehearsed Speaking Activity: 

It enhances creativity, self-confidence, and speaking or dawah capability. 

Mashawarat Activity: 

It involves leadership skills, communication skills, and creativity. 

Tallest Building Activity: 

It involves problem solving, effective planning, and following the order of Ameer.