In a comparatively similar manner as water, air, earth, and their inherent constituent parts, exercise a discernible effect on a plant’s innate development, so do human thoughts and intentions display an obvious sway in the ongoing progression of the character and ethical conduct of a person. Like flowers germinate from outwardly inconsequential seeds and hatchlings emerge from tiny bird eggs, perfect characters and lofty souls nurture from pure intentions and wholesome thoughts.

The way we think shapes our behavior and the way we are is analogous to how we think. While we look at events and things from a perspective view of certain intrinsic considerations, our temperament and character gradually begins to reflect our eventual method of perception. Nusri eloquently puts it thus: “A man who sees positively will think positively.” Such people tend to let wonderful thoughts bloom within themselves, living in a heavenly abode that they have formed in their inner beings.

As for those who peek around themselves through sheer gloom and misery of their murky souls, as well as smear all the good that is around them with their spitefulness, they must by this virtue tirelessly complain with arrogance about everyone. They are eternally doomed to never look at anything in a positive light, think constructively, or realistically enjoy the fruits and blessing of a happy existence.

So what must one do to avoid this cursed existence? Obviously, to start with, you must relearn to build a positive opinion of the people around you.

[box_light]Aba Hurayah (Radiyallahu ‘Anh) narrates on the subject: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales, and do not look for the others’ faults, and do not do spying on each other, and do not practice Najsh, nor be jealous of one another, and do not desert (stop talking to) one another. And O Allah’s Worshippers – be brothers!” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)[/box_light]

The right path, which is ordained for every Muslim man and woman, is skillfully hiding the faults and weaknesses of others, as well as maintaining good opinion about other people. This is the reason why Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, orders all His believers to hold a good opinion about others.

How many among us would not have heard about the incident of Al-Ifk (the slander)? This is the mischievous lie that was maliciously invented by the hypocrites against Sayyidatina ‘Aisha, mother of the believers, may Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala be pleased with her. However, Allah graciously declared her innocent and free in the Holy Quran. When that which was said about it became public, Allah made the factual position clear, so that every Muslim would be able to see the truth.

“Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of themselves [i.e. one another] and say, ‘This is an obvious falsehood’?” [An-Noor 24:12]” [Hisham Ismail As-Sini, Manhaj Ahl As-Sunnah walJama`ah fin Naqd wal Hukm `ala al Akhirin, Al Muntada, London, 1992, p. 21]

Dr. Mustafa as-Siba’i said, “Because having a good opinion and then regretting is better than having a bad opinion and then regretting.” [as-Sibai, Hakadha`allamatni al Hayat, al Maktab al Islami, Beirut, 1984, vol. 1, p. 42]

Hence, to be gifted with the blessings of Husnu Zhon, one must fully adapt and practice the way followed by the righteous ones, who are wise men as well as people of rightful understanding from among the Muslims. They are also the people who have fear of their true Lord and are desirous of His Pleasure and Reward.

There is a narration regarding Aba Ishaaq Rahimahullah which goes as follows:

Once when Aba Ishaaq Rahimahullah had taken his ‘amamah’ or upper garment off in order to make an ablution, a thief suddenly appeared and stole his garment. Taking the garment which was worth about 20 dinars, the thief left a weathered, old garment in its place. So when he had completed making his ablution, Sheikh Aba Ishaaq Rahimahullah simply picked up the garment placed there by the thief and put it over his body. In fact, he did not even notice the difference, till someone asked him about the garment during his following teaching session.

Innocently, the Sheikh replied with the following words: “It might be that the one who took it, was in need of it.”

This shows you how we must rediscover the lost treasure’ of Husnu Zhon and learn how to have a good opinion about other people and our fellow Muslim brethren.

In a similar incident narrated by Zayd ibn Aslam, it is said that at a time when someone visited Aba Dujanah Al-Ansary Radi Allah Talla Anhu on his sick-bed, the visitor noticed that his face glowed almost like the luminosity reflected by the Moon. Hence, the visitor inquired: “Why is your face shining?” To which Aba Dujanah Al-Ansary Radi Allah Talla Anhu responded, “It is because of no other deeds but two I used to hold on to: I would never speak of that which does not concern me, and the second is that the Muslims would be unharmed and secure in my heart.”

If you are always filled with sincere considerations, which are also welcomed by your own inner conscious, as well as cherish positive thinking for others, this can certainly be termed to reflect a ‘good opinion’ or Husnu Zhon in Islam as well as most other world religions.

[quote]“Blessed is he who is preoccupied with his defects rather than those of other people” (Al-Bazar)[/quote]

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – Roald Dahl