The Oughtst and ought-nots of Fault finding Nith and Praising of the Behavior of Others

The current paper expounds the words of Imam Ali (p.b.u.h) regarding the attributes of the Shiah. One of these attributes is praising the behavior of others. This essay deals with the oughts and oughl-nots of praising others. Is praising the behavior of others approved disapproved in Islam? The answer to this question depends on the conditions and cases; that is, it is not appropriate to praise every one, in every situation and in every way and it is not inappropriate to hide the good attributes of others and not praise them. Sometimes praising others is obligatory, recommended or serves as a healer of some mental diseases, like jealousy, and sometimes praising is impermissible and blame worthy. In some cases, like marriage, gaining a political position or consulting, backbiting or fault finding with the behavior of others it is obligatory. Although praising others in their absence is a virtue, this rule does not apply equally to all people. Praising beneficent believer will be valuable if it intended to win people`s affection.
In the story of Abel and Cain and the story of prophet Josef, we find clear instances of the role of jealousy amony brothers. The best way to remove jealousy is to praise the person whom is the object of jealousy.