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 another 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 as 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.'' [Al-Imran: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.

1000 Camels

During the time when Umar (ra) was the Khalifah of the Muslims, there was a severe famine. All the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. One day, a tremor in the ground was felt. It was found that a caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with large stocks of food was arriving from Syria. Returning from successful business and trade, this caravan was owned by Uthman (ra). Upon its arrival, several merchants approached Uthman (ra) and offered to buy it all.

Uthman asked them what profit they would pay. "Five per cent," they said.

He answered that he could get higher profit than that.

They then increased their offer, and still Uthman answered that he could get an even higher profit.

The merchants continued to increase their offer until they argued that they did not know of any other merchants who would offer him more than what they had offered. Uthman then said to the merchants, "I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred to a single dirham (Arabian currency)." He then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah (swt) mentioned this profit.

"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." [2:261]

"O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!" said Uthman (ra).

People would easily spend $2000 for a new television or shiny rims for their car. But at the same time, dropping a $20 note into a Masjid's donation box or giving to a needy brother or sister takes second thoughts (or doesnt even cross the mind at all). What we have to realise is that all our wealth comes from Allah, not from ourselves. And in order to become wealthier, we have to give in the way that Allah loves, always knowing that we will get in return something multiplied by what we had given. So next time you see the mosque donation box, make sure you don't hesitate to donate in the Way of Allah.

A Scholar in China

A Muslim scholar (Sheikh) was on a visit to China to give a series of lectures to the local Muslim community. One day, he was scheduled to give a lecture at a local hall and was about to take a taxi along with his companions to that location.

They got into the taxi and the Sheikh asked about how long it would take to get to the lecture hall. The taxi driver, through the translator, answered "Two hours."

The Sheikh immediately turned to his companions and said: "well, we can't sit in this taxi with the driver for two hours and not tell him about our religion. If we did that then we would be no different than any other non-Muslim or kaffir who uses this taxi. We are the people that Allah (SWT) chose to carry His message and honoured us to be Muslims. It is our duty to tell this person about Islam."

However, the driver was a native Chinese and didn't have a common language with the Sheikh. They had to communicate through a translator.

The Sheikh said to the translator: "Ask the man if he believes in any religion?"

Driver: "No, I don't believe in religion. I just get up in the morning, go to work and earn money. At the end of the day, I collect my money, go buy some food and drink for my family. What do I need religion for?"

Sheikh: "Ask this man if he has ever heard anything about Islam."

Driver: "Not much. I've seen a tape once and showed Muslims as violent people. I don't know much else."

Sheikh: "Ask him about computers. What does he think of computer?"

Driver: "I think the computer is an excellent invention. It is very useful and very sophisticated."

Sheikh: "Does he think that the computer could have invented itself or does he think that a human being invented it?"

Driver: "A human invented it, of course. It is not capable of inventing itself."

Sheikh: "Which one is more complicated the computer or the human being?"

Driver: "The human being is more complicated, of course."

Sheikh: "O.K., if the computer must have been invented by a human being, then it follows that a human being (which is more complicated) must also have a creator."

Driver: "O.K."

Sheikh: "In Islam, we believe that Allah is the creator of human beings and all other beings. Fine, now let's move on. Assume that you have never seen a computer before and never heard of it. If I brought a computer to you and gave it to you. Would you know what to do with it? Would you be able to use to its full potential?"

Driver: "No, I wouldn't."

Sheikh: "Now, if I gave you a catalogue for the computer, then you will be able to use it better. Correct?"

Driver: "Correct!"

Sheikh: "In Islam, we view Quran as the catalogue used by human beings to manage their lives. Without this catalogue, they will ruin themselves! Now, if this inventor of the computer assembled the machine and printed the catalogue, what would be the next step? He would need to train some engineers and others on how to spread the message about this machine. These people would, in turn, train others and others until everyone knows about the machine. In the example of Allah and Quran, the prophets of Allah play the role of the engineers. They learn the message and teach it to others so that the message will spread. Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the final messanger of Allah and he was ordered to take the message to all human beings."

By this time, the trip was coming to an end and they almost reached the lecture hall. But the Sheikh can see that there were tears coming out of the driver's eyes. The words of the Sheikh was having a significant effect on this driver.

Driver: "These ideas are very interesting to me. Do you mind spending 15 more minutes with me to tell me about this religion?"

The Sheikh agreed to spend those few minutes with this person and did. The man asked many questions and seemed genuine in his desire to learn more about this religion. At the end of these few minutes, the driver said: "I want to join this religion of yours. How do I do that?"

He was told that all he needs to do is say: "I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is his servant and messenger."

Face or Feet?

Wudhu. One of the fundamentals of Islamic practices. Do we always perform it correctly? Do we perform it for each Salah? Our Prophet (saw) has said that parts of the body that have been washed with wudhu shall shine on the Day of Judgement, and by this distinction, the Prophet (saw) will at once recognise his followers. Hrere is a short story on Wudhu.

Once a Muslim scholar was flying to a country on an airplane. When the time for Salah came, he went to the bathroom to make wudhu (ablution). Since, the bathrooms in airplanes are very small, he had to open the door to lift up his foot to the sink. An air hostess came to him and told him not to wash his feet in the sink because they are dirty.

The scholar calmly asked the hostess, "How many times a day do you wash your face?"

The hostess replied, "Usually once or twice."

Then the scholar replied, "I wash my feet five times a day for prayers. Therefore, my feet are cleaner than your face."

The purpose of this story is not just for a good laugh. But, it teaches us how regular we should be about prayers and in making wudhu . It also shows us one way on how to deal with non-Muslim comments regarding wudhu.

Reward for Visiting a Muslim

Abu Hurairah (ra) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

A person set out to visit his Muslim brother in another village and Allah sent an angel to wait for him on his way.
When this person reached the angel, the angel asked, "Where are you heading?" He replied, "I am heading to a brother of mine in this village."
The angel asked, "Does he owe you something, which you want to get back?" The man replied, "No. I just love him for the sake of Allah."
The angel said, "I am Allah's courier (informer) to you, to inform you that Allah loves you just as you love him for His sake." [Sahih Muslim]