Class 6
KNOWLEDGE | ARGUMENTS |
DEALING WITH DIFFERENCES OF OPINION
Do not speak/advice without Knowledge
Islam is the religion of knowledge. The first aayah of the Quran to be revealed enjoined reading which is the key to knowledge.
The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ‘Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.’” (Ibn Majah, Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani). What is meant by knowledge here is knowledge of sharee’ah (Islamic knowledge). Al-Thawri said: “It is the knowledge for which no person has any excuse for not knowing.”
In Islam, knowledge comes before action; there can be no action without knowledge, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “So know (O Muhammad) that Laa ilaaha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women” [Muhammad 47:19]
Allah warns every Muslim against speaking without knowledge, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“ “… and do not say that which you do not know. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allâh)” (17:36)
“… and you say with your mouths that which you have no knowledge of, and you consider it trivial, but it is immense in the sight of Allah.” (24:15)
Convey even if you know a little
There is nothing at all wrong with conveying what we know of the religion, as long as you are certain that it is correct, such as the basics, like the five pillars of Islam or the pillars of eemaan (faith). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Convey from me, even an aayah.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Some of the Sahaabah set out to call their tribes to Islam when they had only a little knowledge that they had gained during the brief time they had sat with the Prophet ﷺ. But even though their knowledge was so little, it was correct and was blessed, and because of their sincerity, Allaah benefitted others through it.
Advising vs Arguments
Unfortunately majority of the times the first thing we see our youth do after gaining a little bit of knowledge is GET INTO ARGUMENTS, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ warned us by saying, “No people go astray after being guided except that they indulge in arguments.” Then the Prophet ﷺ recited the verse, {They strike an example for you only to argue. Rather, they are a quarrelsome people.} (Qur’an 43:58) [Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
There is promised reward for those who refrain from this behaviour, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right…..." (Abu Dawood)
Do not seek knowledge to Argue or to Refute
The Prophet ﷺ warned us against seeking knowledge with the intention of arguing or refuting, he ﷺ said:
“Whoever seeks knowledge in order to argue with the foolish or to show off before the scholars or to attract people’s attention, will be in Hell.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah (253).
“Do not seek knowledge in order to show off in front of the scholars or to argue with the foolish, or to choose the best seat in a gathering because of it, for whoever does that, the Fire, the Fire (awaits him).” Narrated by Ibn Maajah (254).
“Whoever seeks knowledge in order to show off before the scholars or to argue with the foolish or to attract people’s attention, Allah will admit him to Hell.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah (260).
“Whoever seeks knowledge that should be sought for the sake of Allah, but he only seeks it for the sake of some worldly gain, will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (3664).
The apparent meaning of the ahadith indicates that the person who learns about Islam for the purpose of arguing with the foolish is given warning of punishment, because he has not fulfilled the condition of sincerity when learning about Islam; rather his only aim is to learn how to argue.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The sincere and sound intention when seeking knowledge should be to act upon it oneself, then to teach it to people and convey it to them, and to take Islamic teachings to those who are not aware of them, then to ward off the aggression of the transgressors and the misinterpretation of the evildoers.
Discuss to Learn and Not Argue to Win
If you want to discuss with someone about Islam who you have a difference of opinion with, then I recommend you establish these three facts before you guys start: -
First and foremost remember that you guys are doing this for the sake of Allah and there is no winner or looser in this. If you keep this in mind you will always have fruitful discussions and as a matter of fact these can be win-win situation by all means.
Either you will learn something from him/her.
Or he/she will learn something from you.
Or you keep quite even if you are right and be amongst those who the Prophet ﷺ guaranteed a house in Jannah to.
May Allah give us Sabr to withhold ourselves from getting into arguments.
Judge yourself more than others
If you have gained knowledge use it to judge yourself, try to understand if you have the traits of beneficial knowledge or that of non-beneficial.
Here we will share a few signs of Beneficial and non-beneficial knowledge which will help us stick to the right path and establish unity.
Signs of Beneficial Knowledge
Good Manners
Humility
Calm & Patient
Cries in front of Allah
Practicing
Judges oneself more than others.
Signs of Non-Beneficial Knowledge
Do not Practice
It Breeds haughtiness, pride and arrogance
It causes one to seek elevation in the worldly life
Getting into Arguments
Openly claims to have a close relationship with Allaah
Judges everyone apart from himself/herself.
Dealing with Differences of opinions
The major differences within the Muslim community and the disunity amongst the ranks of even the scholars are all glaring and evident before every person. From public refutations to bickering in close circles and private groups, the discord and conflict is real.
This is undoubtedly the result of:
Crave for fame,
Lack of dialogue,
Following one’s ego,
Intolerance of different opinions,
Ignorance of etiquettes on differing,
Or some other similar reason that is not mentioned.
Due to these underlying reasons, there is an abundance of verbal and written refutations with the harshest of vocabulary.
To begin with; it should be noted that from the era of Ṣaḥābah, scholars always refuted those with incorrect ideologies, and yes, when necessary, they too used very strong words. A multi-volume book with the statements, quotations and stern and strong comments of the scholars of the first three centuries can easily be written. However, the difference between them and the scholars of today is in their approach and in the issues for which they used these severe words. Irrespective, the condemnations and rebuttals of before did not lead to disunity.
In the subsequent centuries, when differences on minor issues did lead to fragmenting the Ummah, then the Muslims quickly suffered defeat and were severely humiliated. Learning from history and witnessing the condition of the Ummah today, it is apparent that our differences are, unfortunately, causing us to go in the same direction.
So let us try and learn the why & what to do?
Why are there differences of opinion?
At the time of the Revelation, the Muslims learned the rulings of Islam from the Prophet ﷺ through the verses of the Holy Qur’aan and the ahaadeeth of his Sunnah. Hence there were no differences of opinion among them except with regard to some minor issues. If that happened, the Prophet ﷺ would explain to them what was correct.
When the Prophet ﷺ died and the Sahaabah spread out to various regions to teach the people Islam, there appeared some differences with regard to some matters of fiqh which arose at different times and in different places. These differences were due to a number of reasons, which we will sum up here from the words of the scholars:
The evidence had not reached the one who held a different opinion, and he made a mistake in forming his opinion.
The hadeeth had reached the scholar, but he did not regard the transmitter as trustworthy, and he thought that it went against something that was stronger, so he followed that which he thought was stronger than it.
The hadeeth had reached him but he forgot it.
The hadeeth had reached him but he understood it in a way other than the intended meaning.
The hadeeth reached him but it was abrogated, and he did not know the abrogating text.
He thought that it contradicted something that was stronger than it, whether that was a text or scholarly consensus (ijmaa’)
The scholar used a weak hadeeth as the basis for his ruling, or he derived the ruling by means of weak arguments.
No Body is Perfect!
Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) stated:
“And there is no one from the Imaams except that he has sayings and actions that are not to be followed alongside the fact that he not to be vilified or debased due to them – and as for these sayings and actions, then they are not known to be in clear-cut or absolute contradiction to the Book and Sunnah, rather they are issues of ijtihaad regarding which there is differing amongst the people of knowledge and Imaan – So it is even possible that these affairs may be qat’iyyah (clear-cut) issues for some to whom Allaah has made the truth clear (since the truth is one),….” [Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 10/ 383-384]
I implore Allah, with His Most Beautiful Names and Attributes, to guide us and all Muslims to beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. I ask Him to grant us deep understanding of Islam, make us firm in it and help us undertake the obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil according to our own capacities and capabilities. We implore Allah to guide the Muslim rulers and every concerned Muslim to patiently come up with this obligation in the best manner. May Allah help every Muslim fulfill their duties and advise people for His Sake for He is the Most Generous! May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, Companions and those who follow them in piety and righteousness!
TIPS FOR THE TEST
Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
Remember the etiquette & methods.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
I. Invite atleast 10 people to the course (can invite via WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, telegram or word of mouth) 4 Marks. (check the note below for exceptions)
Note:
Those who have already invited whether on Whatsapp, Email or FB, do not need to invite again.
It does not matter, whether people join or not, our job is to invite.
II. Talk to 5 people (friends or family) about any three topics from the course - (5 Marks)
III. Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and Maghfirah of the Muslims who passed away. Pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. - 1 Mark
JOIN FOR FREE VIA
WHATSAPP | TELEGRAM | EMAIL
Pls read our FAQs to get the details and to know how we go about things if U have any further Qs pls feel free to ask...
FAQs: - https://learn-islam.org/faqs-short-courses
Happy Learning... JazakAllah Khair...
As Salam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh :)
SUPPORT LEARN ISLAM
If you benefit from courses by LEARN ISLAM and want to support us, please do so by buying the book FORGOTTEN SUNNAHS written by Abu Sahl Al Ansari (the founder and admin of LEARN ISLAM).
FORGOTTEN SUNNAHS : https://learn-islam.org/forgotten-sunnahs-book