Public speaking by Saboor Ahemed

Public speaking training session focused on the importance, techniques, and impact of effective public speaking, particularly within leadership and da’wah (Islamic missionary work). The session begins with participants explaining their motivation for attending, highlighting the necessity of public speaking skills to inspire, motivate, and lead people effectively. The discussion then explores the concept of public speaking as a powerful tool that has shaped history, citing examples from influential figures such as the Prophet Muhammad, Adolf Hitler, Malcolm X, and contemporary speakers like Tony Robbins and Barack Obama.

Subboor Ahmed stresses that public speaking is not merely a communication skill but a potent instrument that can create or destroy societies depending on how it is wielded. They emphasize the need for Muslims to improve their public speaking skills to be more influential, noting that many of the world’s most recognized speakers are non-Muslims. The session underscores the importance of passion, adaptability, and delivery as fundamental pillars of effective public speaking.

Participants delve into the “SUCCESS” formula for delivery: keeping speeches Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Story-driven. Real-life examples, including references to Quranic stories like that of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), illustrate how these elements work effectively in communication. The session concludes with an assignment for participants to prepare a three-minute speech, encouraging practice, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Overall, the video is an educational and motivational discourse aimed at empowering Muslim leaders and da’wah activists to harness the transformative power of public speaking with sincerity, strategy, and passion.

Highlights

• 🎤 Public speaking is crucial for leadership and da’wah to inspire and motivate others effectively.
• 🌍 Influential public speakers have shaped history, both positively (Prophet Muhammad, Malcolm X) and negatively (Hitler).
• 🔥 Passion, adaptability, and delivery are the three essential pillars for impactful public speaking.
• 📚 The “SUCCESS” formula: Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories — key to effective delivery.
• 💡 Public speaking is a powerful weapon that can either unite or divide societies.
• 🕌 Muslims are urged to elevate their public speaking skills to compete with renowned global speakers.
• 🗣 Practice, feedback, and audience awareness are critical for continuous improvement in public speaking.

Key Insights

• 🎯 Public Speaking as a Leadership Tool: The session highlights that leadership is incomplete without the ability to communicate effectively and passionately. Leaders must articulate ideas clearly to inspire and mobilize their communities, particularly in the context of da’wah, where conveying the message of Islam with conviction is vital. This underscores the strategic role of oratory skills in leadership success and community impact.
• 🌟 Historical and Contemporary Examples Illustrate Power of Speech: The trainer draws parallels between figures like Prophet Muhammad, whose eloquence and clarity united a nation, and Hitler, whose oratory led to destructive outcomes. This duality illustrates that public speaking is morally neutral but immensely powerful, capable of both great good and harm depending on the speaker’s intent and message. Understanding this power urges speakers to wield their skills responsibly.
• 💔 Muslims Need to Take Public Speaking Seriously: The discussion reveals a concerning gap where many of the world’s most prominent public speakers are non-Muslims, while Muslim speakers remain relatively less recognized. The trainer challenges Muslim communities to prioritize and invest in developing speaking skills as a form of da’wah excellence. This insight touches on the broader theme of self-improvement and excellence in religious practice and community leadership.
• ❤️ Passion is the Heartbeat of Effective Speech: Passion is emphasized as an irreplaceable element that connects the speaker’s conviction with the audience’s emotions. Without genuine passion, speeches may feel hollow or manipulative. The ability to authentically convey belief and emotion is what makes speeches memorable and transformative, as seen in examples of renowned speakers who moved audiences through heartfelt delivery.
• 🔄 Adaptability Ensures Relevance and Engagement: The session stresses that effective speakers must be adaptable—adjusting content, tone, and approach based on audience feedback and context. A failure to adapt risks alienating listeners or delivering irrelevant messages. This insight highlights the dynamic nature of public speaking as an interactive process rather than a static performance.
• 🎭 Delivery is Multi-Dimensional: Delivery encompasses not only vocal tone and volume but also body language, pacing, pauses, emphasis, and the strategic use of silence. The trainer’s “SUCCESS” acronym provides a comprehensive framework for delivery, ensuring messages are clear, credible, emotionally engaging, and memorable through storytelling. This insight reveals delivery as a refined craft requiring deliberate practice and awareness.
• 🗣 Practice and Feedback Are Imperative for Mastery: Continuous improvement through practice, receiving feedback, and learning from experience is necessary to evolve as an effective speaker. The session’s interactive nature, encouraging participants to prepare speeches and share feedback, exemplifies the practical approach needed to develop these skills. This insight aligns with the principle that mastery in any art, including public speaking, requires persistent effort and openness to growth.

Expanded Analysis

The session’s emphasis on public speaking within the context of Islamic leadership and da’wah is particularly significant. It situates the skill not just as a professional or social tool but as a religious and moral duty. The reference to the Prophet Muhammad as the best speaker in human history serves both as inspiration and benchmark, reminding participants of the profound impact eloquence and clarity can have in spreading truth and justice.

The use of historical examples like Hitler and Malcolm X serves as a balanced perspective on the power of speech. Hitler’s example is a cautionary tale about how oratory can manipulate masses toward destructive ends, underscoring the ethical responsibility of speakers. Malcolm X’s example illustrates how oratory rooted in conviction and authenticity can empower marginalized communities and become iconic beyond religious or racial boundaries.

Passion is repeatedly highlighted as the essential ingredient that differentiates effective speech from mere communication. The trainer’s insistence that passion comes from genuine belief and cannot be faked resonates with psychological studies on persuasion, which show that authenticity is key to influence. The emotional connection established through passion is what makes ideas resonate and motivates action.

Adaptability emerges as a critical skill for speakers, reflecting the need to read the room and tailor speeches to the audience’s needs and comprehension level. The example of an imam preaching about abstract theological details to a largely non-practicing congregation illustrates the disconnect that can occur without adaptability. Effective speakers must therefore engage in continuous learning and audience analysis to remain relevant and impactful.

The “SUCCESS” formula for delivery encapsulates essential oratory techniques, blending simplicity with emotional storytelling and credibility. This model aligns with classical rhetoric principles but is presented in a modern, accessible framework that can be applied to various speaking contexts. The emphasis on storytelling as a tool for engagement reflects the universal human connection to narratives, helping abstract or complex ideas become relatable and memorable.

Finally, the session’s structure promotes a growth mindset, encouraging participants to embrace imperfection, practice regularly, and utilize peer feedback. This approach demystifies public speaking and makes skill development accessible, fostering confidence and competence over time. The trainer’s dedication to offering this training free of charge for da’wah leaders underscores the strategic importance placed on public speaking within the community’s mission.

Conclusion

This video transcript provides a rich, comprehensive exploration of public speaking’s critical role in leadership, religious propagation, and social influence. It combines motivational insights, practical frameworks, historical examples, and interactive learning to empower Muslim speakers to harness their voices with passion, adaptability, and skillful delivery. The call to action for Muslims to elevate their public speaking abilities reflects a broader vision of community empowerment and positive societal impact through effective communication.

Click on the link to access the course Lesson 1 https://youtu.be/xbvlXr7nOWM?si=VzokHolqazPd1Af8

Click on the link to access the course lesson 2 https://youtu.be/UGu4YR8BMqU