Mercy in Disagreement

“They criticized it, made it seem bad in the eyes of others, so that people would turn away in anger.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 4, p. 98) While advice comes from a spirit of goodwill, personal remarks come from a spirit of malice. Personal remarks and accusations are driven by negative emotions such as hatred, jealousy, and ego. The aim is not to reform, but to bring others down and discredit them. Advice is not only permissible but also a virtuous act. In contrast, personal remarks and criticism are clearly prohibited, as they only add to a person’s wrongdoing. Advice is a sign of a healthy society, while personal remarks are a characteristic of a corrupt society. In a society where there is an atmosphere of advice, people will regard each other as their own. There will be a sense of trust, and people’s hearts will be filled with respect and love for one another. No one will regard others as strangers or look at them with suspicion. No one will attempt to exploit another. Moreover, in such an environment, if one person makes a critical remark about another, the listener will not take it personally. Instead, they will hear it as a simple comment. This will allow for open dialogue between them, where both individuals set aside their egos and strive to reach the pure truth. Afterward, they will accept what is correct. In contrast, personal remarks only lead to harm. If the person being criticized reacts angrily to the critic’s words,