Benefit of The Doubt …

The benefit of the doubt is to believe something good about someone, rather than something bad, when you have the possibility of doing either. But the concept of giving or not giving the benefit of the doubt is very important when it comes to relationships. Making 70 excuses for others in Islam is key duty of brotherhood ..

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. – Surat Al-Ĥujurāt 49:6

When speaking to others about a person, or hearing a person discussed by others, we must always seek to give the benefit of the doubt, and not jump to assumptions.  Just as you will always have a good excuse and justification when it comes to you own actions and inadequacies apply the same generosity when it comes to others.

Everyday we see and hear a lot of misinterpretations and assumptions which lead to judgments and gossips but we rarely see confrontations .. I wonder why?! We should not be hasty in making assumptions and judging a situation or an individual from what seems to be the apparent. It is essential that we assume the best of others and give them the benefit of the doubt and allow them to explain themselves to clear any doubts we may have.

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful. – Surat Al-Ĥujurāt 49:6

We should take all factors into consideration and avoid hastiness in judging an individual. Instead, we should try to make the matter clear as to avoid placing false accusations on anyone. Confront, don’t assume because assumptions leads to rumors, rumors leads to segregation and segregation leads to chaos!