SHAFAQNA – Anyone can make mistakes but it is better to behave in a way which does not require a person to make excuses or offer an apology. Imam Ali (AS) said: Not needing to offer an apology is more dignified than offering a justified apology [1]. In his letter to Hareth Hamedani, Imam Ali (AS) wrote: Avoid any deed which when the doer of that deed is asked about it, he either denies it or offers an apology for it; and do not place your reputation as a target for others remarks [2].
Therefore, human being must always try not to do deeds or behave in ways which require him/her to offer apology to others or make excuses. Basically, those who are not after strengthening their knowledge and behaviour, usually offer excuses or try to make excuses. It is narrated from Imam Ali (AS) who said: Whenever the ability is decreased, resorting to excuses are increased [3].
[1] Nahjul Balaghah,Wisdom 923.
[2] Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 96.
[3] Qorarul Hekam, Hadith 4038.