Shaykh Mikaeel Smith’s first book, With the Heart in Mind, asked Muslims to redefine what it means to be more like the Prophet.
The author suggests that by studying the Emotional Intelligence of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), we improve the quality of our relationships with the people around us and we, like the Prophet (s.a.w.), can become catalysts for change around us. Emotional Intelligence within the author's model of intelligence is a tool by which the message of God is transferred to humanity. With the Heart in Mind reminds us that "To be loved by people is half of intelligence."
This book picks up where With the Heart in Mind stopped, diving deeper into the primary tool that enabled the Prophet to be so influential and leave such a profound impact on the people around him. The premise is simple. If you wish to be listened to like the Prophet, you must first learn to listen like the Prophet.
This book is about the function of listening in the life of a Muslim, and how learning to listen can transform the cacophony of inner noises into a wonderful symphony. When Hearing Becomes Listening explores the religious and social implications of attachment theory and how we can all help each other develop healthy models of attachment. When Hearing Becomes Listening explains why listening is a capacity unique to human beings, and describes obstacles that prevent us from being good listeners. In this book, we present a unique, interconnected, three-level approach to listening: listening to oneself, listening to others, and listening to Allah.