Growing Negativity And Suspicion Of One Another In Society Is A Threat To Peace
By Kaniz
Fatma, New Age Islam
12
April 2023
Beware
Of Suspicion Because
It Is The Worst Kind Of Wrongdoing
Main
Points:
1.
Our
society is plagued by a wide range of issues. If their root causes are
eliminated, our society will be in order and peace and security will be
obvious.
2.
As peace
cannot come from just one side, it must also come from another side.
3.
Human
values are generally known to be strongest in towns and villages where there is
a sense of fraternity and respect among all members.
4.
Why do
the Qur'an and Hadith stress avoiding bad suspicion? This emphasis is without
doubt evidence that bad suspicion can be extremely dangerous and is a very
negative thing.
-------
Our
society is plagued by a wide range of issues. If their root causes are
eliminated, our society will be in order and peace and security will be
obvious. All major religions in the world support peace and security. A large
number of movements and organisations are working to promote humanity, unity,
and peace, but these initiatives essentially have little impact on our society
as a whole. These attempts did not fail; rather, those who refused to implement
these lessons into their daily lives did.
Who could
deny that strong bonds between people and their shared respect and affection on
the basis of humanity serve to foster peace and security? If one side
demonstrates humanity, peace, and respect, the other side will also exhibit
signals of peace and security; conversely, if one group lacks these traits, the
upkeep of peace and security from the other group will also be in jeopardy. As
peace cannot come from just one side, it must also come from another side. If
someone adopts the behaviour of tolerance, this must be welcomed and
appreciated.
Human
values are generally known to be strongest in towns and villages where there is
a sense of fraternity and respect among all members. Wherever humanity exists,
people respect one another, defend one another's honour, and do their best to
clean up the mud if it is thrown at someone else. The culture that
gives rise to these attributes is known as the "cradle of peace and
security."
Contrarily,
in a society where there is a conflict between individuals, where feelings of
jealousy and hatred are rampant, and where there is a wave of hostility, the
spirit of brotherhood and fraternity perishes and fades. Humanity has no place
in a society like this. There will surely be no peace or calm for a very long
time, and this civilization will undoubtedly have a horrible atmosphere. The
bond will instead burn perpetually out of resentment, which is enough to
destroy it. Hatred will be in such abundance that it will be enough to destroy
brothers and brotherhood.
In order
to prevent moral disease, the Holy Qur'an presented the concept of avoiding bad
suspicions. Allah Almighty says:
“O
Believers, avoid being excessively suspicious, for some suspicion is a sin. Do
not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of
his dead brother? You would surely detest it. Have fear of Allah. Surely Allah
is much prone to accept repentance, is Most Compassionate.” (49:12)
Hazrat
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Beware of
bad suspicion because bad suspicion is the greatest lie. (Bukhari 5143, Muslim
2563)
Why do
the Qur'an and Hadith stress avoiding bad suspicion? This emphasis is without
doubt evidence that bad suspicion can be extremely dangerous and is a very
negative thing. This emphasis was placed in order to create a just society.
This emphasis was placed in order to foster a calm and peaceful atmosphere. In
order to make people aware of the fatality of bad suspicion and encourage them
to take all reasonable precautions to avoid it, Islam has promoted good faith
and condemned bad suspicion throughout the Quran and Sunnah.
Social
media today shows that common masses are actively fomenting mistrust among one
another. Through their statements, adherents of one religion publicly demonstrate
their extremism towards adherents of other religions. Even when efforts are
made to stop it, they are frequently one-sided, which worsens the environment
of a nation and fosters a sense of hopelessness and grief among the people. The
issue is not just between Muslims and Hindus; one Muslim is also creating bad
suspicions against another Muslim. Even family members are not always safe from
the target of bad suspicion.
Bad
suspicion is the biggest lie. It is narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah
be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Beware
of bad suspicion because it is the worst kind of wrongdoing. Do not spy on or
suspect others of having faults. Never attempt to seize the rights of others
out of avarice or arrogance. Avoid being envious of one another. Keep no
grudges against one another. Never turn away from one another. Instead, O
Allah's servants, turn into brothers.” (Sahih Muslim, under the chapter of
Forbiddance of Bad Suspicion)
People
tend to criticise one another because they don't trust one another. Yet,
finding fault unnecessarily is a very bad trait. A characteristic of a Muslim
is that he makes an effort to hide any shortcomings he finds in others.
According to the Holy Prophet, whoever hides another person's imperfection,
Allah will also hide his fault on the Day of Resurrection. Yet, when someone
starts criticising another person's shortcomings, it's as though they're
beginning to nurture temptation and corruption.
The
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say, “If you continue looking
for Muslim flaws, you will either corrupt them or come very close to corrupting
them.” (Abu Dawud 4888)
We know
from the Qur'an and the Sunnah that the foundation of the original corruption
is mistrust and bad suspicion and that all offences, including murder,
adultery, and other crimes, result from evil suspicion. May Allah Ta'ala keep
us all safe from bad suspicion and all harm that results from it!
-----
Kaniz
Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/negativity-suspicion-society-peace/d/129540
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