Judging Somebody ? Too Soon or Not ?

Judging Somebody ? Too Soon or Not?

By Farheen Naaz

The moment we lay our eyes on someone we end up judging them, in both, a good way and a bad way. Each person’s perception is different, but in general an individual judges or has wayward opinions about another with regards to his/her overall appearance, way of talking, clothing, walk, way of expressing, job, qualification, place of stay and other such things. Often we end up forming opinions without even knowing the person personally, for example, the other day I went to a jewellery shop with some friends and while we were waiting to be attended to, we overheard another customer asking the sales person in a heavily accented tone for latest and happening designs. Now in most parts of my city such a tone is regarded with someone trying to show-off, don’t ask me why! And well, sometimes looks really odd among all desis (but no reason to deem the person as air-headed). So, back on track, someone from the group started commenting on her accent which led to a pretty ugly (not literally) conversation, ranging from how she talked to the way she dressed! (May Allah forgive!) 

What I’m trying to put across here is how we fall into the trap of satan ignoring our own faults and concentrating on forming opinions about others mercilessly. We don’t flinch or wince even once before doing so. But when you imagine someone who doesn’t even know you commenting or opinionating about you, your blood boils! 

When you don’t/wouldn’t want someone to do that to you, why do you end up doing the same for someone else?

Leave alone our feelings and whims for a few minutes and let us look at what Islam has to offer us on this issue of judging others mercilessly.

One of the ninety-nine names of Allah is “Al-Haleem” which translates to “The Clement” meaning, Allah subhaana wa ta'aala is not quick in judgment. Allah gives all his servants time. He is patient and waits to see His servants return to Him even if it is after leading a sinful life. 

There is a beautiful hadith which elaborates this attribute of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala showing us mortals how merciful He is when it comes to recording our bad deeds. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “The angel of the left raises (and holds) his pen for six hours from the Muslim servant of Allah who has wronged or committed a mistake. So if he regrets and seeks Allah’s forgiveness from it, he (the angel) returns it back, and if that’s not the case then it is written as one”  [ Mu’kam al Kabeer, Hasan according to Albani]

The mercy and greatness of Allah is beyond words once you know this Hadith. How often do we admonish a person as soon as s/he does something wrong? 99.99999% of the time it is always done! Not a second is spared after something wrong has been done! We need to take heed from this Hadith. How can we judge someone and form ill opinions about them (whether we know or don’t know them) when Allah Himself isn’t doing so before giving grace repentance time for a believer and repentance time for everybody which lasts until before you die! Are we so perfect to know the status of the heart of any individual and categorize them as good or bad?

One more hadith which I’d like to mention is:

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: "One who helped someone in a trouble in this world, Allah will help him in his trouble in the Hereafter and one who keeps the faults of a Muslim secret in this world, Allah will keep his faults in the Hereafter and Allah remains in the help of the (Muslim) man until he is in the help of his brother."  

The next time we do something or even think of doing something like forming opinions or commenting on someone without knowing the truth of their life, I pray to Allah that we are reminded of the beautiful haidth mentioned and the mercy, greatness, forgiveness of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala. Ameen.

Posted in: Islam