The Prophet (SAW) said: “Do not search for (the faults of others), for if anyone searches for (others) faults, God will search for his.” (Sunan Abî Dawûd)
Too often we are caught up with the actions of others’ and the judgment of their character based off of our own perceptions of them. Whether these people are strangers or your close friends, it is easy for us to point out their mistakes and tell others about them. But at the same time we guard our own shortcomings and take special care not to reveal them. The judgment we fear for ourselves is the same judgment we too often readily hand out to others.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “Blessed is he who preoccupies himself with his own defects, rather than those of others.” (Musnad Al-Bazzâr) Following in the footsteps of the Prophet (SAW) we must focus more on ourselves and our own faults.
At the end of the road the only thing that will be of importance to each individual is their own actions and thoughts. Thus, it is beneficial for us to regularly be more introspective and work on our own qualities. Take some time out each night to reflect on your day. Think about where you went and what you had seen, the conversations you had and the things you said. Being more conscious of our own actions will help us actively refrain from making judgments of others’ actions.
An important reminder that may help us in doing so was narrated by Abu Hurairah RA, that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “Allah will cover up on the Day of Judgment the defect (faults) of the one who covers up the faults of other in this world.”