In this input, I will discuss what impact generalization has. How does it affect us and the people around us? It can have harmful consequences, as it often oversimplifies human diversity. Opinions and statements about people are often based on limited observations and do not apply universally to everyone, leading humans to false assumptions.
Example: “That man is European so he is not a Muslim.” → assuming something from generalizing – that most Westerners are non muslims. A person is judged simply by how they appear, and in that way, a decision is made.
سورة النِّسَاء ٩٤
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا ضَرَبۡتُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنۡ أَلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَٰمَ لَسۡتَ مُؤۡمِنٗا تَبۡتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٞۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبۡلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٗا
Surah An-Nisaa 4:94
O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in the cause of Allah, investigate carefully, and say not to any one who offers you a salutation: “Thou art none of a believer!” Coveting the perishable goods of this life: with Allah are profits and spoils abundant. Even thus were ye yourselves before, till Allah conferred on you His favours: Therefore carefully investigate. For Allah is well aware of all that ye do.
In many cases, false information, (which is often based on assumptions or generalizations), may reach our ears. If we then assume it to be true, without investigating further, we are in a position to do a lot of harm to ourselves and others. That is equally true when we assume something ourselves and tell the next person our thinking. The harm in this is clear to most of us, yet it is easy for us to decide something when we hear it, and spread that further. “Ohh have you heard about this or that?”. Despite our better judgment, it is very common, so it never harms to remind ourselves of it.
سورة الحجرات ٦
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإٖ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ أَن تُصِيبُواْ قَوۡمَۢا بِجَهَٰلَةٖ فَتُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نَٰدِمِينَ
Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:6
O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.
Stereotypical descriptions in media often reinforce generalized views, affecting public opinion negatively. Faith, religion, and culture tends to be a target for that. Generalizations can prevent us from truly understanding others by encouraging assumptions rather than open-minded exploration. Myths or inaccuracies about a person, or groups, are encouraged, making it harder to combat prejudice. In short, it prevents meaningful connections with others.
سورة الحُجُرَات ١٣
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٖ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبٗا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٞ
Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:13
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
Whether we assume something about a person or a group, I think many of us are already aware of the negative effects of assumptions and generalizations. So, how can we face that reality? That is something we will discuss more in our next input inshallah, make sure not to miss it. I hope this input has been interesting and inspiring. I would like to wish everyone a beautiful time ahead inshallah, and Jummah Mubarak from the heart.
The best of times to you all inshallah.
Peace, happiness, and stay faithful.
1
1
1
1
1