When is admitting a mistake a virtue?

9:34:29

2024-03-25

179

Every human being makes mistakes except those whom Allah Almighty has protected. However, people’s attitudes toward their mistakes vary between those who are aware of their mistakes and those who do not acknowledge them, those who are arrogant and justify their mistakes, and those who are aware of their mistakes and try to correct them and then apologize remorsefully and in a respectful manner!

Therefore, it is known among the people that (admitting a mistake is a virtue), and is supported by reason and Sharia. However, from our point of view, not every confession rises to the level of being considered a virtue unless three pillars are fulfilled in it:

Acknowledging the mistake and taking responsibility for the bad behavior.
An apology is appropriate to the extent of the mistake, the person’s intellectual level, his social weight, and his degree of kinship.
Taking the immediate initiative to correct the wrong doing, and expediting the return of rights to the person or party offended.

A study by researchers stated that there are six stages of a good apology, as they describe it:

First: Expressing regret: (I am sorry).

Second: Explaining that what happened was by mistake: (And that is exactly what happened without my intention).

Third: Acknowledgment of responsibility: (This was my mistake).

Fourth: Expressing remorse: (I feel very embarrassed about this).

Fifth: Offering reform: (Allow me to repair what I have ruined).

Sixth: Asking for forgiveness: (I hope you will forgive me).

Researchers say that there are two elements:

"Saying I'm sorry...as a first step." Then you say: “How can I fix my mistake?” As the minimum measure to admit the mistake and apologize, however, he is not completely virtuous.

It is perfect and virtuous for the apologist to fulfill the pillars of apology, and also take into account the body language in the event of his acknowledgment and confession, and to highlight in his style the expression of remorse and regret..., so that he becomes a shining example in humanity with his courage, his victory over his selfishness, and his adherence to principle. Yes, to leave a beautiful picture of tolerance, love and peace in his community and he becomes a role model with his valuable position, from which the lesson in the culture of apology are drawn from him.

One of them says: I left my house in all my elegance, and I was heading to a relative’s wedding, and while I was walking on the road, a fast car passed by me and passed a spot of water that was covering a hole in the street, and the stagnant water splashed on my clothes and face, so I became angry and screamed. I called the driver and the driver stopped and returned He turned back to be surprised by my sight and was annoyed by my screaming at first, but he quickly felt remorse and took the initiative to confess and apologize with all politeness and respect, and the matter did not stop there! Rather, he asked me to get into his car so that he could take me to his house, clean my clothes, dry them, and iron them, but I did not agree to that, and I felt the sincerity of his apology, which made me admire his spirit of courage and politeness, even though it was not intentional, so he was ashamed. I stopped screaming at him, apologized to him, and thanked him.