There are always two sides to a story. Always.

The amount of times I have been told a story, whether it is a marital issue, financial dispute or even verbal/physical abuse (from males or females), both sides have a viewpoint.

This does NOT mean that justifies the action of someone who has done wrong, but it does mean we should reserve absolute judgement until the full story is clear.

One statement I heard was that whenever Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin (ra) was asked regarding an issue between two people, he would say to the one speaking to him ‘If what you say is correct, then…’ and he would give his answer.

Everyone sugar coats their side of the story. At minimum, they may not fully admit their own wrong doings and at most they will bend the truth.

Finally, dispute resolution between people is not always just the job of a Shari’ah panel as everyone is dragged into mediation in their daily lives.

But it’s a test, because anyone can support their best friend or family member as a default. But our responsibility is to be on the side of truth, regardless if it is against our family, parents or even ourselves as Allah mentions:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ

“O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives” (4:135).

Yes, it’s easier said than done. We all have bias. But it’s important we try to be cognisant of the principle of justice whenever dealing with two opposing parties.