Disagreeing with a wrong act and celebrating the person’s suffering are different responses. Mocking someone’s illness, financial loss, or humiliation can become شَمَاتَة. Justice and the restoration of rights may still be necessary; neither requires vindictive enjoyment of another’s distress.
Example 1: Do not mock a classmate who fails an examination.
Example 2: Even when someone holds opposing views, respond to their hardship fairly rather than with ridicule.
The lesson protects against arrogance and helps keep criticism separate from cruelty.