One of the great early Muslims, Hamdun al-Qassar, once said: “If a friend among your friends errs, make seventy excuses for him. If your hearts are unable to do this, then know that the shortcoming is in your own selves.” While not Prophetic advice, this should still be considered good, sound advice for any Muslim. It helps us to be humble and non-judgmental. We recognize that only Allah sees and knows all things. Making excuses for others is a way of stepping into their shoes, to try to see the situation from other possible angles and perspectives. How many excuses can you think of for this scenario? Play the 70 Excuses Game!
Scenario: A Muslim woman wearing hijab has just removed it in a public place.Add to the List
WorkMaybe she is not allowed to wear it at work. Will keep it off until it is time to go home.—MaryamNoor11
Uncomfortable fabricThere's no doubt that wearing head cover is beautiful. A lot of nice ones are actually uncomfortable to wear because it itches or it's rough. I had a few ones like that, that makes me itch. People must of thought I had some bugs in my hair, so I got rid of them.—Guest fatimah
InchingShe might have a very good reason for removing the hijab in public, anyway only Allaah knows why.—Guest Nana Aisha
To help another personPieces of clothing can be used as a tourniquet. For example, to help slow life threatening blood loss from a severe wound.—Guest R2D2
Purpose of 70 Excuses GameThe hijab is removed only once, not seventy times. Seventy excuses are to find out what different people think might be the reason for her to remove the hijab...—Guest syed
Excuses shouldn't be given many timesIf a person does the same things more than 3 times and knowingly continues to do the same, no more excuses should be accepted. This is a willful behaviour, knowing someone will continue to make excuses for them. Especially if the person is an adult, I feel they know better and are there to teach others. So I will term this as a "lie" and this is forbidden in my opinion. Nothing is wrong when commited in error; this is a learning experience, and should keep in mind not to do the same in future. If one continues to make excuses for others, how do you know when and what is really the truth. "Attitude leads to Behaviour---Behaviour leads to Actions--------Actions lead to Character."—lil_a
Hostile environment to MuslimahsIt is sad when some of our sisters take off the hijab becuse of the area they live in. I am under the same situation but I refuse to go against my convictions. I tried so I could get a job easier but I couldn't do it, so I am still jobless but I know for me, this is the right thing to do. May Allah give us all strength to live our convictions and continue to be obedient. Subhaanallah. Ameen—Guest Faatimah Hassan
Unexpected sting of an insectMaybe she was unexpectedly stung by an insect. She may have removed it to check it out. Allah is the best in knowledge.—Guest Ahmad Amana
Mental IllnessMay be she has a mental illness, and if she has anything can happen. Subhanallah!—Guest Nuara Hashimu
Due to unbearable heatDue to unbearable heat, not having any facility of A.C. or fans. When she is conscious of her religious obligations to wear hijab, why doubt her when she removed it in public? Let us not pin point or judge such things.—Guest Muhammed Jameel
Ear infectionPerhaps she might have been suffering from an ear infection, and might have removed it just to wipe out her ear.—Guest A.JAILANI BASHA
SmellMaybe it is summertime and it is her only hijab. She doesn't want it to smell funny.—Guest farria.
Hot FlashShe's having a hot flash! There's nothing worse than a furnace suddenly igniting, then heating up to the point of combustion.—Guest najla
Ensuring her safetyIt is possible that almost everyone at such a public place may have been (or started) staring at her, making her feel overwhelmed and causing her to remove it temporarily (to ensure her safety).—Guest syed
Scalp issueShe has an issue with her hair and scalp, so covering up her hair may have been injurious to her health.—Guest Ronke
Scenario: A Muslim woman wearing hijab has just removed it in a public place.Add to the List
WorkMaybe she is not allowed to wear it at work. Will keep it off until it is time to go home.—MaryamNoor11
Uncomfortable fabricThere's no doubt that wearing head cover is beautiful. A lot of nice ones are actually uncomfortable to wear because it itches or it's rough. I had a few ones like that, that makes me itch. People must of thought I had some bugs in my hair, so I got rid of them.—Guest fatimah
InchingShe might have a very good reason for removing the hijab in public, anyway only Allaah knows why.—Guest Nana Aisha
To help another personPieces of clothing can be used as a tourniquet. For example, to help slow life threatening blood loss from a severe wound.—Guest R2D2
Purpose of 70 Excuses GameThe hijab is removed only once, not seventy times. Seventy excuses are to find out what different people think might be the reason for her to remove the hijab...—Guest syed
Excuses shouldn't be given many timesIf a person does the same things more than 3 times and knowingly continues to do the same, no more excuses should be accepted. This is a willful behaviour, knowing someone will continue to make excuses for them. Especially if the person is an adult, I feel they know better and are there to teach others. So I will term this as a "lie" and this is forbidden in my opinion. Nothing is wrong when commited in error; this is a learning experience, and should keep in mind not to do the same in future. If one continues to make excuses for others, how do you know when and what is really the truth. "Attitude leads to Behaviour---Behaviour leads to Actions--------Actions lead to Character."—lil_a
Hostile environment to MuslimahsIt is sad when some of our sisters take off the hijab becuse of the area they live in. I am under the same situation but I refuse to go against my convictions. I tried so I could get a job easier but I couldn't do it, so I am still jobless but I know for me, this is the right thing to do. May Allah give us all strength to live our convictions and continue to be obedient. Subhaanallah. Ameen—Guest Faatimah Hassan
Unexpected sting of an insectMaybe she was unexpectedly stung by an insect. She may have removed it to check it out. Allah is the best in knowledge.—Guest Ahmad Amana
Mental IllnessMay be she has a mental illness, and if she has anything can happen. Subhanallah!—Guest Nuara Hashimu
Due to unbearable heatDue to unbearable heat, not having any facility of A.C. or fans. When she is conscious of her religious obligations to wear hijab, why doubt her when she removed it in public? Let us not pin point or judge such things.—Guest Muhammed Jameel
Ear infectionPerhaps she might have been suffering from an ear infection, and might have removed it just to wipe out her ear.—Guest A.JAILANI BASHA
SmellMaybe it is summertime and it is her only hijab. She doesn't want it to smell funny.—Guest farria.
Hot FlashShe's having a hot flash! There's nothing worse than a furnace suddenly igniting, then heating up to the point of combustion.—Guest najla
Ensuring her safetyIt is possible that almost everyone at such a public place may have been (or started) staring at her, making her feel overwhelmed and causing her to remove it temporarily (to ensure her safety).—Guest syed
Scalp issueShe has an issue with her hair and scalp, so covering up her hair may have been injurious to her health.—Guest Ronke