Yet you will find that some people, when they speak, swallow their words to such an extent that one is forced to ask, “What did you just say?” This runs contrary to the Sunnah. The Sunnah is to speak in a way that is distinct and clear so the listener can grasp it. It is not required, however, that you always address people in Classical Arabic.

You should speak to people in the language or dialect they understand, while still keeping your words plain and intelligible. This is exactly what we learn from the ḥadith of Anas ibn Mālik: whenever the Prophet ﷺ uttered a statement he would repeat it three times so that it could be understood. His phrase “so that it could be understood” shows that if the audience understands without repetition, he would not repeat it—and that is precisely what occurred in practice. We have countless narrations from the Messenger ﷺ delivered in sermons and gatherings where he did not repeat himself.

If, however, a person fails to comprehend—perhaps because the meaning is unfamiliar to him, or he is hard of hearing, or surrounding noise prevents him from catching the words—then it is recommended to repeat the statement until he does understand. Likewise, when the Prophet ﷺ offered the greeting of peace to a group, he would give it up to three times: he greeted once, and if no reply came he greeted a second time, and if still unanswered he greeted a third time. Should that third greeting also meet with silence, he would leave the matter there and not exceed three.