One does not justify the other

It is quite normal for a person to look for faults in a person who reveals his fault. But is this attitude which we consider normal, normal according to the Shari'ah? Before answering this question, it is good that we take note of a principle:

If a person has a defect, then this cannot be justified because of the shortcoming of another person. A sincere person will always consider his shortcomings instead of justifying it by the fact that another person has a defect more serious than his. That is, the fact that a person is consuming alcohol, is not a justification for another to consume drugs. This principle applies for personal problems. As for the discussions concerning the matter of Deen, it is quite a valid argument. For example, if a person criticises something which is mentioned in a certain book, then we can reply to him saying that this is found in the book of the 'Aalim whom he admires. That is, the anecdote is criticisable just because it is in my book and the same thing goes unnoticed when it is found in the book of a person who holds the same opinion and tendency as you!!! A person who is intellectually honest does not make similar mistakes and blunders.

[English version of "Ene pas justifié l’autre" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.14]