[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Friday, December 2, 2022

The Sound that Donkeys make


وَاقۡصِدۡ فِىۡ مَشۡيِكَ وَاغۡضُضۡ مِنۡ صَوۡتِكَ​ؕ اِنَّ اَنۡكَرَ الۡاَصۡوَاتِ لَصَوۡتُ الۡحَمِيۡرِ

And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."

[Al-Quran 31:19, Translation: Saheeh International]


Surah Luqman is about the wisdom bestowed upon Luqman, probably the most famous physician ever. 

Among the advises given in this Surah is speaking in lower tones. Speaking softly has many benefits, including improved communication. Given below are some relevant links. 

Loud sounds are harsh, and the most disagreeable sounds are the sounds of donkeys. A donkey's bray can be 80 decibels or more. Donkeys make several types of sounds, including squeals and screams. That's loud. 

A human scream can be in the range of 80 or above, which can be damaging to the ears. 


To quote an article from Science Daily: 

Exposure to intensely loud sounds leads to permanent damage of the hair cells, which act as sound receivers in the ear. Once damaged, the hair cells do not grow back, leading to NIHL. 

[Excerpt from: Effect of loud noises on brain revealed in study]

 




References & Links

Ayat: https://quran.com/31/19 

Word by word: https://corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=31&verse=19#(31:19:1) 

Signs & Science blog: The Hikmat (الْحِكْمَةَ) || Affliction, Cure, and The Roman Cult 

YouTube: نهيق الحمار/ Braying Donkey/The Sound of a donkey/Ane qui braie || Screaming Donkey || Donkey Sound Jackass Noise || Donkey Screaming Loudly 

Farming Base: Why do Donkeys Bray – How to Stop them? 

Quora: In Sura Luqman", the Qur'an says: "Be modest in your approach! Lower your voice when you speak, for the most horrible cry is the braying of the donkey! The Qur'an compares people who gesticulate, shout and scream to make their point to donkeys. Why?

Science Daily: Effect of loud noises on brain revealed in study 

The Economic Times: Talking loudly is injurious to health! 

Cool Communicator: SPEAKING SLOWLY WILL TRANSFORM YOUR COMMUNICATION    

What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? 

Talmudology.com: Bava Kamma 18b ~ Braying Donkeys and Broken Glasses 

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