goodopinion

It is evident that before everything else society needs 'mutual trust and confidence' of its members, because unless the people trust one another and look upon one another with confidence and respect they cannot continue their collective life, solve their problems by mutual help and maintain proper relations. The dangers of lack of mutual trust are so obvious that they need not be discussed in detail.

In order to expand and strengthen mutual trust among its followers Islam prohibits them from suspecting one another and considers it to be a sin.

The holy Qur'an says:
"Believers, avoid immoderate suspicion, for in some cases suspicion is a crime." Sura al-Hujurat

Imam Ali (as) says:
"Bad opinion about a good person is one of the greatest crimes and worst kind of injustice."

"It is unjust that one should decide about a reliable person according to his own supposition."

Islam orders that the words of a brother-in-faith should be taken in good part.

Imam Ali (as) says:
"Till such time that a sentence carries a good possibility do not attach a bad meaning to it."

Islam has declared mutual good opinion to be the right of Muslims over one another.

Imam al Sadiq (as) says:
"One of the rights of a believer over his brother is this that he should confirm what he says and should not contradict it."

And Islam considers bad supposition to be peculiar to those who are themselves ill-bred and malicious.

Imam Ali (as) says:
"A malicious person does not hold a good opinion about his brother (and is always suspicious about him), because a human being judges everyone according to his own mentality."

However, it should also be kept in mind that it is the duty of Muslims not to place themselves in a situation which may invite calumny viz. they should not do anything which may make others suspect them. And if such a situation does arise they should make the true position clear.

It was on this account that while the holy Prophet of Islam was once sitting with one of his wives named, Safia and a man from among the Ansar chanced to pass by, the holy Prophet made it known to him that the woman was his wife.

The man said, "O Prophet of Allah! Is it possible that I should entertain any suspicion about you? The holy Prophet then said, "O man! Satan penetrates into human body like blood. I, therefore, feared lest it may also make you entertain a bad opinion."

Islam has strictly prohibited all such things as may possibly cause mutual suspicion among the Muslim e.b back-biting, hearing a person slandering others, prying into the secrets of others. etc.