The Importance
of Consultation

The Quran emphasizes the importance of consultation in all matters. (3:159) We learn from traditions that the Prophet of Islam always consulted people in his dealings. What is a consultation? Consultation is to seek people’s opinions on any issue that may arise. In this way, every man’s knowledge and experience come to the fore, and it becomes possible to solve the issue in a better way with a more accurate plan. What is done without consultation is based on the thinking of one person, while what is done after consultation includes the thinking of many people.

Consultation is another name for collective thinking. The difference that exists between the individual and collective thinking is the same as found in the work with consultation and the work without consultation. It happens for various reasons that one person’s mind is not able to understand every aspect of the matter. Consultation compensates for this shortcoming. The consultation makes it possible to reach a more accurate opinion in matters, taking precautions to reduce avoidable mistakes in advance. Consultation is thus an important part of successful planning.