Islam commands its followers to trust each other, and to assume that another’s intentions are good. Therefore, it is not permitted for anyone to judge a Muslim’s actions as corrupt without proper evidence for such a judgment.
Islam commands its followers to trust each other, and to assume that another’s intentions are good. Therefore, it is not permitted for anyone to judge a Muslim’s actions as corrupt without proper evidence for such a judgment.
The Prince of the Faithful (a. s) said:
ضَع أمرَ أخیک علی أحسنِه حتی یأتیک ما یقلِبُک منه، ولا تظنّنَّ بکلمهٍ خرجتْ من أخیک سوءاً وأنت تجِد لها فی الخَیر محتملاً
Expect good from your brothers, unless something happens that makes you rule otherwise; and do not assume a word of his as evil when there is still the possibility of it being good. [1]
When people trust each other, it increases their love towards each other and brings harmony into their lives. The Imams of the Muslims expressed the importance of trust in many ways. Imam Ali (a. s) once said:
مَن حسُنَ ظنُّه بالناس حازَ مِنهمُ المَحبّهَ
He who trusts others gains love from them. [2]
Dr. Dale Carnegie [3] States:
Recently I met the manager of a franchise of restaurants. This particular chain of restaurant is called The Honorable Deal. In these restaurants, which were established in 1885, the employees never presented a bill to the customers; instead the customer’s order what they wish to eat and after the meal they calculate the charges and pay the cashier without any questions.
I said to the manager: Of course you have a secret inspector?! You can’t trust all the customers of your restaurant? He answered: No, we do not secretly watch our customers; yet, we do know that our method is appropriate; otherwise we would not have been able to advance during this last half century. The customers of this restaurant feel that they are dealt with honorably, it stems from the idea that the poor, rich, thief, and beggar all try to conform to the good conduct which is expected of them here. [4]
Notes:
1. Saduq Muhammad Ibn Ali, al-Amalie, vol. 8, p. 250
2. Ghurar al – Hikam, p253, Hadith 5331
3. Dale Harbison Carnegie (1888-1955) was an American writer and lecturer and the developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
3. Musavi Lari, Mujtaba, Youth and Morals, pp.25-27