Between Noise and Stillness: Faith-Conscious Clarity in a Distracted World
– How silence and reflection restore focus in noisy leadership
THE MORNING QUIETNESS
In this edition, I begin with a sunrise, the serenity of morning quietness at a beach in Besut, Terengganu in 2022, recorded just after Fajr/Subuh (Break of dawn).
(If you can’t view the video above, click here.)
That early stillness carries a spiritual rhythm. It is the pause before my day’s activities, the space before my mind fills with noise. Remembering the beach sunrise, it is a moment when heart meets horizon.
Modern life rarely allows that silence. Actually as leaders, we need it a lot. The ability to pause, listen inwardly and find clarity amid noise is a difficult leadership discipline.
FROM ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION TO INNER STILLNESS
In a recent article, Leadership with Active Noise Cancellation, I explored how leaders can apply the metaphor of ANC (active noise cancellation) earbuds: filtering distractions, tuning in to meaningful signal and communicating with clarity.
This time, I go deeper. Whereas that article looked at how we manage external noise, this one delves into how we tame inner noise.
Because even if the world outside is quiet, the world inside often isn’t. Thoughts whizz by. Notifications linger in the mind. The ego whispers opinions louder than conscience. The unseen Shaitan never fails to tempt.
While clarity in true leadership comes from managing the sound around us, I think silencing the restlessness within us is more important!
SILENCE AS WORSHIP
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” — Qur’an 13:28
Silence can paradoxically be full. Full of presence. Quiet presence allows dhikr (remembrance), tafakkur (reflection), muraqabah (“meditation” [perpetual awareness of Him]) and muhasabah (self-examination).
The Prophet ﷺ modelled this beautifully. His speech was measured, his pauses intentional. He listened deeply to people, to silence and to the signs of Allah around him.
Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
“Silence is the best reply to a fool.”
Inner silence and stillness is a state of leadership maturity. When a leader quietens the ego, humility rises, when they muffle anxiety, trust and confidence grows and when they cancel aimless, drifting thoughts, action returns.
PRACTICING FAITH-CONSCIOUS QUIETNESS
1. Dhikr (Remembrance) as Inner Noise Cancellation
Replace the mental buzz of “what’s next?” with remembrance.
Try a one-minute rhythm of:
Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah)
Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah)
Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest [than everything])
or your favourite dhikr (mine is Astaghfirullah [I seek the forgiveness of Allah])
between meetings or work tasks. See if it quickly rebalances your focus and emotions.
2. Morning Stillness Practice
Take 5 minutes after Fajr/Subuh (Break of dawn) before opening your phone or speaking to anyone. Is it your walk? Is it a short presence on the balcony? Is it looking out the window?
Observe the stillness: the slow-motioned walk of the people exercising on the road in dim light, the first bird that you try to spot on the tree, the morning temperature and the brightening light. Let gratitude fill the space where distraction and temptation once lived.
3. Weekly (Heart) Review
I try to be consistent (60%) conducting my solo Weekly Review for my projects and tasks. What I have achieved more consistently (90%) is Weekly Check-In with my accountability buddy. My buddy and I often include a review for our heart.
Questions include:
What distractions and noise (especially inner) have we let in this week? What have we neglected that truly matters? What deserves silence and inaction, not reaction?
4. Transparency Mode: Listening with the Heart
Don’t think of stillness as withdrawal. Just as earbuds have “transparency mode,” leaders must listen to subtle signals. e.g. emotions in the team, spiritual nudges and lessons hidden in discomfort. Signals external, yes. But remember in solo, quiet moments to look at the radar inside.
Distinguish the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), then take note: write it somewhere. Have an ever-present inbox to record the occurrences of these signals and useful blips for later decisions and actions.
SILENCE IS SERENE (STARTING FROM THE EARLY SERENE HOURS)
Our age glorifies noise, in talking, posting (introverts post, too) and reacting versus calculated responding. But Allah’s world begins each day in stillness. With Bismillah (With the name of Allah). (My website has at the top “بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ“ [With the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful] and at the bottom “الحمد لله” [Praise be to Allah].)
In the Qur’an’s rhythm, night follows day and rest follows activity. If we think that stillness is wasted time, think again; it’s divine design.
If we as leaders do not make space for tranquility, we lose the ability to hear the inner voice of meaning amidst the volume of the world.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.”
Silence used consciously becomes a strategy of the soul. It restores clarity, sincerity and calm leadership presence.
