Proper attentiveness manifests itself in both speech and conduct.

1. The verbal dimension: one must remain silent while his companion is speaking. If two voices overlap, confusion results; when only one person speaks, everyone present can benefit from what is said.

2. The physical dimension: when someone addresses you, turn your whole face toward him and avoid looking right or left. Should you keep glancing away while he speaks, he will take it as pride on your part. Allah the Exalted says, “And do not turn your cheek away from people in scorn, nor walk upon the earth exultantly” (31:18). You should therefore listen to him attentively, facing him directly, so that he knows you are aware of him and value his words—unless he is uttering something unlawful, such as backbiting, idle talk, or any other forbidden matter. In that case you must not listen; rather, you should forbid him from continuing.

If he persists in the prohibited speech and ignores your counsel, you are obliged to rise and leave his company. Allah says, “He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the revelations of Allah denied and ridiculed, do not sit with them until they engage in some other conversation; for if you did, you would surely be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers together in Hell, all of them” (4:140).