Self-justification describes how, when a person encounters 'cognitive dissonance', or a situation in which a person's behavior is inconsistent with their beliefs, that person tends to justify the behavior and deny any negative feedback associated with the behavior.
'Congnitive dissonance' is the unpleasant feeling of the need to justify our actions & decisions, especially the ones inconsistent with our beliefs. It is a state of tension that occurs whenever a person holds two inconsistent cognitions. For example, "we are the chosen ones" and yet "we live a condemned existence".
Dissonance is bothersome in any circumstance but it is especially painful when an important element of self-concept is threatened.
In 'The Opening' of the Quran (and is recited, as a reminder, in every "rakaat" of our solat) are three (3) paths - [1] the straight path - of those upon whom Allah have bestowed favor, [2] the path of those who have evoked Allah's anger, and [3] the path of those who are astray. (Q1: 6~7)
Now, Allah is most swift in judgment, reckoning & punishment. (Q2:202, 3:19, 3:199, 5:4, 6:62, 6:165, 7:167, 13:41, 14:51, 24;39, 40:17).
Therefore, if you are creative, progressive, successful, grateful, peaceful, fair & compasionate in this life, you are evidently blessed by Allah and are on the straight path - NOW & the hereafter.
Otherwise, you are in either one of the other two (unblessed) paths - now & the HEREAFTER.
When there is a clear & distinct contradiction between one's reality and belief, one is obviously living in denial, which is ok, if one were to keep it to oneself. It only becomes a problem when one wants to vehemently impose one's cognitive dissonance onto others.
Blessed be ❤❤.
