Group Think

Photo by Natalie Breeze on Unsplash

“Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints by actively suppressing dissenting viewpoints, and by isolating themselves from outside influences.

Groupthink requires individuals to avoid raising controversial issues or alternative solutions, and there is a loss of individual creativity, uniqueness and independent thinking. The dysfunctional group dynamics of the "ingroup" produces an "illusion of invulnerability" (an inflated certainty that the right decision has been made). Thus the "ingroup" significantly overrates its own abilities in decision-making and significantly underrates the abilities of its opponents (the "outgroup"). Furthermore, groupthink can produce dehumanizing actions against the "outgroup"Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink

Whenever a few people meet or work together, they make groups and Muslims are not separate from this phenomenon. But when we grow in numbers we tend to divide, in opinions, in thinking, in action. Which is good when it comes to work and charity. We need the group to think together and make things better but when this thinking process becomes convoluted, trouble starts. Humans are resilient creatures, at the same time fearful creatures. They like to protect what they got or developed. They like to live a comfortable and safe life.

Similarly, when we make groups among ourselves, based on social, economic or “I scratch your back and you scratch mine” reason, this stagnancy of opinions occurs. Input of fresh ideas, using our hikmah in emotionally intelligent ways, get stuck. Lack of new opinions starts to rot. These groups usually are started to do decent work but due to the group thinking doors are shut towards the free speech and rationality. If challenged, these groups get offended or become a bully. We have seen this happening in all places including mosque boards, Islamic organizations and more. This is causing a rift in our society and ummah whom should unite in solidarity for love and affection, but instead fall apart into various groups who do not see eye to eye in simple matters.

One of the consequences of these convoluted group thinking is that incorrect decisions are made for the larger community by some group members without consultation. Due to claims of Muslim unity some people actively shut down valid viewpoints which opposes their own thinking. Sadly, those whose viewpoint have been shut down, often have no recourse , so they either decide to use more potentially dangerous techniques to allow their voices to be heard such as legal action or whistle blowing or they decide to separate from the community and make their own group.

In addition to this, group thinkers often, resort to bullying and intimidation of people with opposing views. Causing even more division in the community and the complete drop in morale to engage in any other work. Group thinking is not isolated to the Muslim community as oftentimes this occurs in the professional world. When groups tasked with doing some sort of work rush to make decisions without weighing all the options, this oftentimes leads to additional costs or that the solution that is picked being less than ideal. A few steps we can take to reduce group thinking.

1. We should actively listen to other viewpoints and concerns and try to understand them before deciding. We should refrain from interrupting and shutting down people before they have an opportunity for their concerns to be addressed.

2. By Islamic law every household or company or institution is obliged to govern their matters by using Shura. Shura is a way of consultation, that is different than voting, different than referendum and different than discussion. In this way of decision making, every individual and party is consulted in an open forum where everyone can state their opinion at the same time and everyone has to listen to all opinions rationally. Then the solution is picked from the best solution available, which suits every member consulted and affected. Or if there is no solution, then a solution can be picked from multiple points stated in the Shura which might be not be a great solution on its own but joined with another becomes best.وَالَّذِينَ

اسْتَجَابُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ - 42:38

"And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend." (42:38)

In the end, this method keeps the enthusiasm and morale up, and at the same time finds the solution to the problem in the best way possible. It also rejects “my way or the highway attitude” and “group thinking”. As a solution is found cooperatively by the people and not by some elite or ruling class deciding for the rest of the people. Thus inhibiting egotism from any or all members. This consultation process may take multiple sittings. Also after consultations with people, Muslims are recommended to make difficult decisions by consulting Allah, by doing Istikhara.

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ - 3:159

"So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]".

We have a very beautiful story during the time of the Prophet Muhammad(saw). During the battle of the trench when Muslims faced the problem of a large army coming to attack Madinah. Prophet Muhammad (saw) consulted people, and one of the Sahaba, Salman -al-Farsi who was from Iran and was very different from rest of the Arabs, gave the solution to dig a trench around Madinah. The solution was novel but laborious and with the equipment they had it was almost an impossible task. But Muhammad (saw) considered the novelty of the idea and the shahba lovingly adopted the idea willingly participated in it. later this trench became something which helped them save the idea to build a trench to protect the unprotected city parts from the intruders. This is an example of Shura in action.

3. Avoid making secret decisions on community matters, or home matters without proper consultation. Its which effects the community at large. It says in the Quran

لَّا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِّن نَّجْوَاهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَاحٍ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا - 4:114

"No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah - then We are going to give him a great reward."

In the interpretation of this verse one of the scholars mentioned that Islam likes openness in decisions. It doesn’t like people making decisions in secrecy. So, we should avoid backdoor secret decision making and rather we should be open with everyone and seek suggestions. Giving an honest and sincere suggestion is one of the rights of people over others.

4. We need to trust each other, if we trust that others also want the best for all of us, it is easier to listen to and address people’s concerns. In conclusion, group think is a serious issue, which engulfs communities and breaks them apart. It depletes fresh perspectives, novel ideas and beauty to work together for the solutions provided by consultations and adapted by all. It also stops the idea of progressing of the individual because most people do not use their intellect, as they know they will be bullied or thrown out of the group if they speak in opposition, thus creating a vacuum of opinions and creating hypocrisy in people because they know in order to be attached to that group they have to shut-up and praise the so-called leader. This thinking process is a devastation for both the individual and the society together. While Shura on the other hand encourages open discussion so that we don’t purge our members because they disagree, but instead we learn how to disagree with respect.

Photo by twinsfisch on Unsplash