in arguments, debate and disputes that may arouse discord and
hostility. This is an evil and incurable characteristic that occupies
many people.
Dispute is Part of Man's Nature
The Noble Quran clearly states that man is naturally argumentative,
despite the evidence, arguments, proofs, clear signs and varied
examples that he sees. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We
have certainly diversified in this Quran for the people from every
[kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to]
dispute.} [Quran 18:54]
Two Types of Dispute
Disputes are either disliked or laudable. They can be commendable when
they are intended to show the truth, to direct others or to call them
to it.This is what Allaah The Almighty ordered the Prophet to adopt.
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
{Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and
argue with themin a way that is best. Indeed, yourLord is Most Knowing
of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is
[rightly] guided.} [Quran 16:125]
{And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way
that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and
say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to
you. And our God and your God is One; and we are Muslims [in
submission] to Him."} [Quran 29:46]
In this respect the Prophet said: "Struggle against disbelievers with
your money, souls and tongues."
'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas debated with the Khawaarij (an extreme sect in
Islam) at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib in compliance with the
latter's order. Ibn 'Abbaas and his father, informed and educated them
beyond the excuse of ignorance and then renounced them. Consequently,
many of them renounced their religious innovations. That was an
example of a praiseworthy argument that helps to show thetruth with
corroborative evidence.
Another kind of dispute, which is the subject of our discussion,
depends on falsehood, and it has many forms:
Dispute to Conceal the Truth
Dispute may be used to suppress the light of truth and to distract
people from it. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
{And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute
with you. And if you wereto obey them, indeed, you would be
associators [of others with Him].} [Quran 6:121]
{They disputed by [using] falsehood to [attempt to] invalidate thereby
the truth. So I seized them, and how [terrible] was My Penalty.}
[Quran 40:5]
{And among them are those who listen to you, but We have placed over
their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears
deafness. And if they should see every sign, they will not believe in
it. Even when they come to you arguing with you, those who disbelieve
say, "This is not but legends of the former peoples."} [Quran 6:25]
Arrogance is the motivation behind this sort of dispute – the
arrogance that prevents people from accepting the truth and acting
upon it. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, those who
dispute concerning the Signs of Allaah without [any] authority having
come to them - there is not within their breasts except pride,[the
extent of] which they cannotreach. So seek refuge in Allaah. Indeed,
it is He who is The Hearing, The Seeing.} [Quran 40:56]
This sort of dispute destroys, misleads, blinds and makes thosewho
practice it losers on the Day of Resurrection. Allaah The Almighty
Says (what means):
{And of the people is he who disputes about Allaah without knowledge
and follows every rebellious devil. It has been decreed for every
devil that whoever turns to him - he will misguide him and will lead
him to the punishment of the Blaze.} [Quran 22:3-4]
{And of the people is he who disputes about Allaah without knowledge
or guidance or an enlightening book [from Him], twisting his neck [in
arrogance] to mislead [people] from the wayof Allaah. For him in the
world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of
Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire.} [Quran 22:8-9]
Dispute in Showing One's Merit and Belittling Others
This is a great evil that few people manage to avoid. It is the habit
of many in their speaking as well as in their sessions and forums.
This sort of dispute is aroused by a person's feeling of superiority
and intelligence, and his attempts to deprecate the opinions of
others. This is a sign of deviation. The Prophet Muhammad said: "No
people have gone astray after the guidance they used to follow except
because of their engagement in disputes." Then he recited the verse
(which means): {They did not present thecomparison except for [mere]
argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute.} [Quran
43:58] [Ibn Maajah, Al-Albaani - Hasan]
Allaah The Almighty does not like this kind of people. The Prophet
said: "The most hated person in the sight of Allaah is the most
quarrelsome one." [Al-Bukhaari]
People who build their arguments upon falsehood expose themselves to
the wrath of Allaah The Exalted. The Prophet said: "If a person
engages in a dispute based on falsehood while he knows that it is
falsehood, he incurs the wrath of Allaah on himself until he stops."
[Abu Daawood, Al-Albaani - Saheeh]
Knowing that this sort of disputeis difficult for people to avoid,
theProphet assured those who abandon it that they would thereby
receive a magnificent reward; He said: "I guarantee a palace on the
outskirts of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he is
right." [Abu Daawood, Al-Albaani - Hasan]
These people are in grave danger,and their attitude indicates
deviation in their hearts. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {It
is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are
verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and
others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from
truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking
discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one
knows its [true] interpretation except Allaah. But those firm in
knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And
no one will be reminded except those of understanding.} [Quran 2:7]
The Prophet read this verse and said to one of his wives: "O
'Aa`ishah, when you seethose who dispute concerning the Quran, be sure
that they are whom Allaah intended here; so beware of them." [Ibn
Maajah, Al-Albaani - Saheeh]
Dispute Makes People Lose Out onGood
This sort of dispute causes the loss of good. 'Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit
said, "The Prophet once came out to inform us about the [date of the]
Night of Al-Qadr. However, a quarrel took place between two Muslim
men. The Prophet said: 'I had come out to inform you about [the date
of] the Night of Al-Qadr, but due to the quarrel that occurred between
so and so, its knowledge was taken away, and maybe this is better for
you. Now, look for it in the seventh, the ninth and the fifth [of the
lastten nights of the month of Ramadhaan].'" [Al-Bukhaari]
As it leads to the loss of good and mars acts of worship, such
disputes were declared impermissible. Allaah The Almighty Says (what
means): {Pilgrimage is [during] well-known months, so whoever had made
Pilgrimage obligatory upon himself therein [by enteringthe state of
Ihraam], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no
disobedience and no disputing during Pilgrimage.} [Quran 2:197]
With regards to fasting, the Prophet said: "When any one of you is
fasting, he must not have sexual relations…" and the wording that is
narrated by Sa'eed ibn Mansoor reads: "…He must not dispute."
This form of dispute causes grudges and enmity among people.
Disputing for Usurping the Rightsof Others
The most evil form of all is disputing to usurp the rights of others.
The Prophet said: "I am merely a human being, and you [disputants]
come to me with your cases. Someone may present his case eloquently
and in a more convincing way than another. I give my verdict according
to what I hear. So if ever I judge [by error] and give the right of a
brother to his other[brother], then he [the latter] should not take
it, for I am givinghim only a piece of the Fire." [Al-Bukhaari]
A person from Hadhramawt and another from Kindah once came to the
Prophet . The one who came from Hadhramawt said, "O Messenger of
Allaah, this man hasappropriated a land which belonged to my father."
The one who came from Kindah said, "Theland is mine and it is in my
possession. I cultivate it and he has no right to it." The Messenger
said to the Hadhramite: "Do you have any evidence [to support you]?"
He replied in the negative. The Prophet said: "Your case is then to be
decided by his oath." The Hadhramite said, "O Messenger of Allaah, he
isa liar and cares not what he swears and has no regard for anything."
The Prophet remarked: "You have no right to demand anything from him
except that [which you stated]." The man from Kindah then set out to
take an oath. When he left the Messenger said: "If he hastaken an oath
on his property to consume it unjustly, he will certainly meet Allaah
while He is turning away from [i.e., shunning] him." [Al-Bukhaari]
The Righteous Predecessors Warned Against Dispute
As disputes that are based on falsehood or not based on evidence
result in such previously-mentioned harms, the righteous warned
against disputes and advised us to avoid them. The following are some
reported citations in this regard.
Prophet Sulaymaan (Solomon) said to one of his sons, "Avoid dispute,
for it is of little benefit, and it stirs enmity among brothers."
Ibn 'Abbaas and his father, said, "What a sinful action it is foryou
to be disputant."
Al-Awzaa'i said, "If Allaah The Almighty wants evil to befall some
people, He keeps them in continuous dispute and makes them stop doing
[good deeds]."
Muhammad ibn Husayn ibn 'Ali said, "Dispute erases one's religion and
implants enmity among people."
'Abdullaah ibn Al-Hasan ibn Al-Husayn was asked, "What do you think of
dispute?" He replied, "It spoils old friendship and severs firm
relations. It is at the very least a means of overpowering others in
argument, which is the strongestcause for the severance of relations."
Ash-Shaafi'i said, "Dispute in religion hardens hearts and causes grudges."
In the past, it was said, "Do not dispute with either a forbearing or
a foolish person - the former will overcome you and the latter will
harm you."
O Allaah, keep us away from dispute and the disputant, and help us to
be upright, and do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided
us.
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