Differences of Opinion and Adhab

Maintaining good relations whilst having differences of opinion

"And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community, but they will not cease to differ. Except whom your Lord has given mercy..." (Surah Hud:118-119)

It is only natural for humans to have difference of opinion. As Muslims it is our duty to spread the Deen, and to advise one another. However, as there is permissibility for us to hold difference of opinion in some vague areas, when we are advised by our Muslim brother / sister there are numerous views flying around. As a result of these many Muslims have formed groups (involving people following one opinion).

Many have the view that forming more groups will divide the ummah, however, a Muslim should not doubt the niyaa' (intention) of anther Muslim. In terms of forming groups, Muslims should not doubt one another and accuse one another of splitting the ummah due to a difference of opinion.

The reasons for a difference of opinion are few. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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:

1. The evidence had not reached the one who held a different opinion, and he made a mistake in forming his opinion.
2. 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.
3. The hadeeth had reached him but he forgot it.
4. The hadeeth had reached him but he understood it in a way other than the intended meaning.
5. The hadeeth reached him but it was abrogated, and he did not know the abrogating text.
6. He thought that it contradicted something that was stronger than it, whether that was a text or scholarly consensus (ijmaa')
7. The scholar used a weak hadeeth as the basis for his ruling, or he derived the ruling by means of weak arguments.

Many Muslims will discuss with one another not for the sake of gaining knowledge and / or passing on knowledge in the Deen. However some people will only try to force their view /opinion upon others. The danger of not knowing the acceptance of difference of opinion in Islaam is dangerous as a Muslim can start to assume only they are correct and everyone else is wrong.

May Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, bless Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee who said: 'My view is correct and may be erroneous and someone else's view [on the same issue] is erroneous and may be correct.'

The difference in the way of thinking and understand is natural, and mainly occurs due to the many diverse characters there are. There is approval of difference of opinion in some areas which have not bee clearly explained in the Qur'an and Sunnah when based on Ijtihaad. Difference of opinion in Allah's Names and Attributes and the Qur'an should not be tolerated.

If the individual's aim for telling others of his opinion is to spread the truth then inshaAllah this individual will be rewarded for his actions and intentions. Discussions should be made for the sake of spreading the truth, not to improve an individual's status in society and maintaining one's reputation of being correct or knowledgable.

Abud-Darda'a relates that the Prophet (SAWS) said: 'There is nothing that will be heavier in the Believer's scales on the Day of Judgement than good character. Indeed Allah hates the wicked and the ill-mouthed person.' [Abu Dawood]

Ibn Taymiyyah, rahimahu Allah, said: "Disputes are often over a small aspect of the issue rather than its overall aspects." [Iqtidaa'us-siraat (1/149)]

Muslims should accept it is a valid argument for a Muslim to turn around and say 'I follow a difference of opinion therefore I do things in such and such area differently'. However, we should be able to back up our opinion evidences from the Sharah (i.e. ayahs, hadith, ijma as sahabah and qiyas) as we should not be following a blind faith. If we were not to know evidence then a Muslim should not be afraid to listen to the other opinion with an open mind. As in most cases with areas which have a difference of opinion, many scholars do not say one way is haraam and the other way is better to follow. When discussing areas of dispute, we should be willing to learn and sincere in our actions and niyaa's.

Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee said: 'By Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, I am not too concerned whether the truth comes out from myself or from my adversary.'

We as Muslims should be willing to submit to the truth, even if it means sacrificing our own status / image.

If views are to be accepted, then the debate should be conducted with etiquette. Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, has ordered us to talk to 'the People of the Scriptures' with kindness. Our brothers in belief are more worthy of this kindness than 'the People of Scriptures'.

Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, reproached Daawood, 'alayhe as-salaam, for the judgment he passed on the two disputing parties before he had even heard and verified the other party's evidence. Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, also said: "O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done." [Al-Hujuraat: 6]

Along with having a sensible discussion with fellow Muslims, we should always give others the benefit of the doubt.

May Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, bless Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee who said: 'My view is correct and may be erroneous and someone else's view [on the same issue] is erroneous and may be correct.'

Do not be afraid to enjoin the good and forbid the evil for the sake of Allah, or pointing out wrong because for the sake of not arguing (as long as it is carried out with hikmah).

"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma`ruf (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.'' (3:104)

For the Muslim who had studied shari'ah and learned its basic principles, they are able to follow that which they think is right and ignore what they think is wrong. These Muslims are able to distinguish between right and wrong in regards to the different scholarly opinions.

However, for those of us who are not qualified enough to know what is safe to ignore and what is safe to follow, we must follow the fatwa of a trustworthy scholar. If at a later time this individual finds another opinion by a more knowledgeable scholar then he is allowed to change his / her opinion on the subject matter.

The main thing we must remember at all times, when discussing or learning from others is that our niyaa must be clear and that we must be gaining knowledge for the sake of Allah and spreading the truth for the sake of Allah. Our feelings must not get in the way of the truth.