Muslims Should Not Dispute

From: http://muttaqun.com/differing.html


Muslims Should Not Dispute Over Non-Fundamental Principles of Islam

The Noble Qur'an al-Anfaal 8:46
And obey Allâh and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allâh is with those who are As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.).
The Noble Qur'an 11:118, 119
And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah [nation or community (following one religion only i.e. Islâm)], but they will not cease to disagree,-
Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy (the follower of truth - Islâmic Monotheism) and for that did He create them. And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled (i.e. His Saying): "Surely, I shall fill Hell with jinns and men all together."
Sheikh al-Albaani explains the importance of not arguing over differences in non-fundamental issues: "The Companions only differed when it was inevitable, but they used to hate disputes, and would avoid them whenever possible; as for the muqallideen, even though it is possible in a great many cases to avoid differing, they do not agree nor strive towards unity; in fact, they uphold differing."
He continues, "The Companions (radi Allaahu 'anhum), despite their well-known differing in non-fundamental issues, were extremely careful to preserve outward unity, staying well-away from anything which would divide them and split their ranks. For example, there were among them those who approved of saying the basmalah loudly (in prayer) and those who did not; there were those who held that raising the hands (in prayer) was recommended and those who did not; there were those who held that touching a woman nullified ablution, and those who did not; - but despite all that, they would all pray together behind one imaam, and none of them would disdain from praying behind an imaam due to difference of opinion." [The Prophet's Prayer, Alban, p. xxiii]
Insha'Allah, we have the above examples of what are non-fundamental issues and the importance of not bickering over them. Some examples of fundamental differences are: shirk, the five pillars, the six articles of faith.


Extreme Differing Leads to Sects
The Noble Qur'an ar-Room 30:31-32
...and be not of Al­Mushrikûn (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.).
Of those who split up their religion (i.e. who left the true Islâmic Monotheism), and became sects, [i.e. they invented new things in the religion (Bid'ah), and followed their vain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.
The Noble Qur'an 6:159 Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad SAW) have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allâh, Who then will tell them what they used to do.
Once the Truth is Made Known, The Difference Must Cease
Imaam Muzani, a companion of Imaam Shaafi'i said, "The Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (saaws) indeed differed, and some of them corrected others. Some scrutinised others' views and found fault with them. If all their views had been correct, they would not have done so.
'Umar ibn al-Khattab became angry at the dispute between Ubaay ibn Ka'b and Ibn Mas'ood about prayer in a single garment. Ubayy said, 'Prayer in one garment is good and fine; Ibn Mas'ood said, 'That is only if one does not have many clothes.' So 'Umar came out in anger, saying, 'Two men from among the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (saaws), who are looked up to and learnt from, disputing? Ubayy has spoken the truth and not cared about Ibn Mas'ood. But if I hear anyone disputing about it after this I will do such-and-such to him'." [Ibn 'Abdul Barr in Jaami' Bayaan al-'Ilm (2/83-4)]
Notice in the above hadith that the Muslim who knew the truth was permissibly angry at those who were wrong. The problem we see in the ummah is when one of us acts incorrectly out of ignorance and becomes very angry, insulting, or causing embarassement to another muslim when in fact he is wrong all along.
How can we prevent this angry act of ignorance in ourselves? Remember the salat. Think about how you are to correct the Imam if he errors in his salat by saying SubhanAllah (or clapping if female) - you only do so when you are SURE without a doubt that he actually made an error. Could you imagine embarassing yourself because you weren't paying attention and thought the Imam had made a mistake in the salat when he clearly had not. Now imagine the embarassement one should feel when becoming cross, short, stern, rude, blunt, quickly excitable, or challenging, to a Muslim who came with truth and then... moments, days, or years later, this Muslim find out he was wrong and the cause of fitnah!


The Importance of Unity
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Imran 3:103 And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Shura 42:13 The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Anfal 8:46 And obey Allah and His Messenger. and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: For Allah is with those who patiently persevere:
Even though some people encourage division, one thing that we all have in common and cannot escape, is that we all eventually return to Allah swt at the time of death, on the Day of Judgement, awaiting Allah's judgment on our souls!
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Anbiyaa 21:93 But (later generations) cut off their affair (of unity), one from another: (yet) will they all return to Us.
Reconciliation Between Muslims
The Noble Qur'an 3:19And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).
The Noble Qur'an - 5:54 O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islâm), Allâh will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allâh, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allâh which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allâh is All­Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All­Knower.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Hujurat 49:10 The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allâh, that you may receive mercy.

Action Items for the uttaqun:
If a Muslim is incorrect in his words or actions, do not embarass or degrade him in correction; instead, kindly guide him to the Truth.
It is not "kind" to dilute the truth, so the kindness comes in the manners and the love for your brother or sister by showing him/her the truth when he is first seeking.
Your brother's reaction to the truth is of no concern and should not stop you from speaking the truth in an appropriate manner. Too often, we see people more afraid of hurting another person's feelings or angering them than telling them the truth. It is not kindness to withhold the truth from someone, but it is not kindness to dispute over a non-fundamental issue either, once the facts have been presented. And if you don't have facts to back up what you're saying, DON'T SAY IT, or you will likely be the cause of fitnah!
Study the proper way to give dawah and IMPLEMENT this method when a difference of opinion occurs between people of the sunnah.
Look at each difference as a learning opportunity and be sure to have your proof and facts together before challenging a Muslim, especially one whom you have no reason to believe to be non-trustworthy (such as if he is an established person of bid'a, or an established liar and has not told enough lies to re-establish himself as a truth-teller).
To avoid quarrels, sincerely ask questions to seek the Truth, just as the Muslim revert does before accepting Islam.
Take note of the humble method in which Sheikhs present their disagreements. The pious Muslim may dispute the facts and have no desire to tear apart the person with whom they disagree, but rather, rush to hide any sins of their fellow Muslim and stick to discussing the relevant evidence in Quran and Sunnah.
Stop thinking you have to force your views on others, as though this is love. It is love to tell them, but what they choose to do with Truth is up to them. But surely Allah, swt, has already decided who will choose guidance and who will choose misguidance.
BE HUMBLE. Stop talking about it, actually be it. This not only applies to the person who realizes their views were weak, but also to the person who presents the truth. Arrogance has no place amongst the Muslims.
Be patient and take your time before reacting.
Understand that many people mean well but are simply using bad logic and need to be lovingly shown the right path.
Spend more time listening (to persons' of good character and knowledge), than speaking, ESPECIALLY when there is a difference of opinion starting to form in the conversation.
Repent to Allah, swt, for any fitnah you have created when speaking without having facts to back you up; for example, if someone gives you evidence and you maintain your weak position instead of giving it up altogether and embracing the Truth in whole. For example, your brother see you and says, "Hey, how's it going?" and you, at some point, remind him, "Brother, the Quran instructs us to greet one another saying As salaamu alaikum, and so I recommend you only use that greeting." Do you really want to create fitnah by disagreeing such a strong, true, point? Whether you agree or not, if you have no facts to support your view over another, THE CORRECT REPLY IS ALHAMDULILAH (or something similar) and perhaps even JAZAKALLAH, and then to GO SEEK THE TRUTH on your own time.
Remember... Allah, subhana watala, sees everything we do!