earlier in life, things go wrong. later in life, other things are done to feel selfishly alright for things done wrongor sustained losses.
besides obtaining the psychological benefit of this kind, why do people like to find compensational justificiations?
does it lead to staying in denial?
is it a way to feel more optimistic even though one knows that one is also being self absorbed to let go of any regret and guilt feelings?
or is it simply a lesson of sorts?
Islam has a home for all of these emotions. Guilt is a good thing to have because it sets us the premise for the impetus to 'improve' it also helps at wiping away arrogance, which will be an element that will prevent people from entering Jannah.
Compensation in human terms is not really full justification. If someone is killed by accident any amount of blood money given to 'compensate' the loss is not enough to resurrect the dead, but Islam sanctions this blood money rather requires it to be given to sanctify and preserve the 'essence' of what it protects. A loss deserves a loss but these may not balance in this world, but the motions will settle things down to a 'manangeable' state of imbalance, with trust that the justice will be received in the Hereafter.
God is Just ... And to emphasise a bit more on the take of Islam regarding the term compensation it is that word we utter in the Qur'an Yawm ud-Deen.
The Day of Recompense - The concept of adl is just that to be given tit-for-tat of some kind of payment in return for what we did in our lives. Fadhl however, is 'increase' ... or Value Added reward. Rahma meaning Mercy is the highest order which is reward beyond measure or bounties for no action on our behalf.
Compensation is also a way to feel more optimistic and why not ... to feel more optimistic is to be more optimistic and Islam also sanctions this state of being too.
Another compensation is for males to provide financially for the parents even after they say 'no', the motions still need to be done. We cannot possibly fulfil the favour our parents have given us, but we can and must do something even if it is the compensation of 'respect' we must do it, but Islam requires that we give money to them even if they don't want it. Without going in to too much complexity the general case is true.
If we miss a prayer or another Fard we must compensate ... it will never be the same as having enjoined it, but the guilt becomes reduced, because it the compensation itself is guilt driven and Islam supports compensation because it is compatible with our natural disposition as humans who benefit psychologically in undertaking the act. Thus guilt is part of us and compensation is from the Fitrah of humanity.
thanks br. psyah.
nice reply post. this is nice that you compared what can become a compensation in after life.
but in human relations and interactions, some actions and their impact or lasting effects cannot be reversed or at the most a very patient and wise person can listen to an apology but it wont change the fact that the earlier actions of that person caused grief or disappointment and loss of what could have been. it really falls on the nature of a given person who eventually realises that being responsible and doing the right thing the first time is better.
and never ever repeats the same mistake again.