Muslims and Positive Thinking (3/4)

How should we handle faults?

In dealing with a fault, we should do the Following:

1. Determine and intend to correct the fault

2. Identify the cause of the fault.

3. Correct the cause of the fault.

4. Avoid recurrence of the fault.

5. Hold oneself responsible for the fault.

What then are the requirements of dealing with the fault? (Bearing in mind that a fault comes from a person who is envious, mistaken, ignorant, or sick al heart).

The requirements are:

1. A self-accountant to assess the situation through the statement of profits and losses.

2. An attorney to defend the opponent and try to find excuses for him

3. Pacifying the heart's internal atmosphere so that the mind has an opportunity to think soundly and make wise decisions.

What can a believer learn from faults?

1. That a fault is a difficulty that teaches him to avoid faults in future stages.

2. To direct one to self-defects, turning a blind eye to the defects of others.

3. To consider only the merits of the other person and not to focus on his defects.

4. To endeavor to muster the powers of good in oneself, and not to underestimate minor sins, as an accumulation of those can be fatal.

The optimal remedy

One should start by seeking excuses on behalf of others. When one makes a positive start, he is able to proceed along the straight path. Translated into practice, this can be done for example, by saying to the person with whom lie disagrees, "Yes, I agree with your opinion, but..."

One characteristic of a person who follows this approach is that he subjects himself to the law that prohibits both overestimation as well as underestimation. This is achieved through a perfect balance of negative and positive charges. This person will also always prefer the language of reason and the language of Islam to head for the realm of positivity and achievement.

Every human possesses a vast domain of beauty, and a small domain of ugliness. An intelligent person deals with others through the domain of beauty that they possess, so that he can see the beauty of the universe through the beauty of its inhabitants. As such, an investor's major concern will be to overlook the ugliness in others so that they overlook the ugliness in him. It should to be kept in mind that obstacles and snares along the path are inevitable, numerous, and diverse. However, by pleading help from Almighty Allah, then through self-control to restrain the negative powers, the positive component in oneself and steadiness on the straight path increases.

What are the instruments of direction in the internal organization of a human?

1. A mind nurtured with knowledge.

2. A heart nurtured with faith.

3. Organs nurtured with permissible food and drink.

Who are the most important role-players?

1. The leader; if one is not the leader of oneself, then he is a mindless follower.

2. An honest safe keeper for [he capital of the organization; he must possess a sound conscience, and piety, for that is the security valve.

3. An internal auditor who presents the profit and loss statement before the decision is made.

4. A lawyer whose function is to defend the rights of others before judging them.

What are the stimulators of the self?

1. Internal stimulators: seeking reward, benevolence and fear.

2. External stimulators:

- Intangible, e.g. gentle words and respect.

- Tangible, e.g. presents and increased rewards.

(Continued)