The Spirit of Mutual Guidance

FREEDOM OF THOUGHT Hadith No. 4918). Just as when a person stands before a mirror and it reflects their true face without distortion, in the same way, a believer continues to make their fellow believer aware of their flaws—without feeling superior or putting the other down. This is expressed in another hadith as well: “Blessed is a person whom God has made a key to goodness and a lock against evil” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 238). This means that a sincere believer is highly sensitive about right and wrong. This sensitivity compels them to express their views whenever they see something that contradicts the truth. However, this is not a one-sided matter. Just as Godconsciousness inspires a person to speak the truth, it also produces in them a deep readiness to accept the truth. The same person who offers criticism of others is always prepared to accept the truth themselves when it is presented to them. The reality is that the right to criticize others belongs only to the one who applies the same standard of accountability to themselves. Giving advice to others is appropriate only for the person who remains fully ready—both in heart and mind—to accept the truth whenever it is presented, and for whom neither ego nor pride becomes a barrier to accepting what is right. Such a person accepts the truth openly and without hesitation.