Nothing makes the person much happier than thinking well of others. Thinking well of others protects one from the harm of worrisome thoughts that which create a disturbance for the inner peace of heart and mind.
Thinking well of others can spread the love among the community and enhance the people to expect the goodness from their brothers in Islam. In addition to that it can free the heart from hatred and rancor. The Prophet said: “Beware of assumptions, for assumption is the falsest of speech, and do not be inquisitive, and do not spy upon one another, and do not vie with one another, and do not envy one another, and do not hate one another, and do not shun one another; be fellow-brothers and slaves of Allah.”If only the members of the Muslim community would adhere to this sublime behavior, their enemies would never dare to attack them and their famous policy of “divide and rule” will never succeed because the hearts are united and the souls are pure and that refer to the benefits of thinking well of others.
The followings are the best ways to think well of the others:
1-Supplication
Supplicating to Allah and asking The Almighty is the gate to every goodness. The Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم, would ask his Lord to grant him a sound heart.
2-Putting oneself in the Place or position of others
Once each one of us puts himself in place of someone says or do something, that will improve our thinking of others as Allah directed us by saying :
{لَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ ظَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ خَيْرًا وَقَالُوا هَذَا إِفْكٌ مُبِينٌ } [النور: 12]
Interpretation of the meaning: {hy, when you heard it [the falsehood against ‘Ai’shah, may Allah be pleased with her], did not the believing men and believing women think good of one another?}[Quran 24:12] In another verse, Allah The Almighty makes the believers feel as if they are one single entity, to the extent that when one of them meets his brother and greets him, it is as if he is greeting himself. Allah The Almighty Says
{…فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمْ بُيُوتًا فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ تَحِيَّةً مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ مُبَارَكَةً طَيِّبَةً كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ} [النور: 61]
Interpretation of the meaning: {…But when you enter houses, give greetings of peace upon yourselves – a greeting from Allah.} [Quran 24:61]
3- Interpreting and understanding the Words of Others in the Best Possible Way (be positive)
You have to follow the most righteous person in the earth (Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him)
Always interpret your brother utterance when he is interacting with you in a good way don’t be negative in interpretation.
This was the habit of the righteous predecessors. ‘Umar said, “Do not think ill of a word that your believing brother utters as long as it can be interpreted in a good way.”
Imam Ash-Shafi‘i was ill once, and some of his brothers came to visit him; one of them said, “May Allah strengthen your weakness [He intended to supplicate to Allah in order to eliminate his weakness].” Ash-Shafi‘i said, “If Allah strengthens my weakness, it would kill me!” The man said, “By Allah, I intended nothing but goodness.”Ash-Shafi‘i replied, “Even if you insulted me, I know that you sought goodness.” Thinking well of others is true brotherhood, even in things that cannot be interpreted in a good way.
4- Creating some Excuses for Others
Always give your brother some excuse if he says something wrong or did something by mistake, due to we all doing mistake and the best of us who is returning to Allah seeking Allah forgiveness.
5- Preventing and Abstaining from Judging the Intentions of Others
As no one knows what is inside the heart of others, we should not judge directly, but in case we noted some mistake we can only introduce some advice that can moderate the person for the better.
6- Recalling the Harmful Consequences of Evil Assumptions and thoughts
Once you are feeling so complicated or thinking more about the person who did a mistake, you should bring into your memory the harmful effects and bad consequences and that will help you to avoid blaming others
In Quran ALLAH says :
{…فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَى} [النجم: 32]
Interpretation of the meaning: {…So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.} [Quran 53:32]
In another verse
{أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بَلِ اللَّهُ يُزَكِّي مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا } [ النساء: 49]
Interpretation of the meaning:{Have you not seen those who claim themselves to be pure? Rather, Allah purifies whom He wills, and injustice is not done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed].} [Quran 4:49]
resource: islamway.net