Principles And Etiquette Of Dissent In Islam

By Maulana Nauman Naeem

(Translated by New Age Islam Edit Desk)

19 November 2020

Allah Almighty says, “And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (8:46). Narrating the story of the previous people of the Religions the following verse was revealed to take lessons from their mistakes, 

“….and do not be of those who associate others with Allah [Or] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.” (30:31-32)

Islam is the guarantor of the survival of humanity, peace, security, unity, brotherhood and fraternity in all the societies. The Holy Qur'an says, “Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects - you, [O Muhammad], are not [associated] with them in anything. Their affair is only [left] to Allah; then He will inform them about what they used to do.” (6:159).

This verse is an address to the holy Prophet (peace be upon him), asking him not to deal with the people who disintegrated, divided their religion and broke the unity of the community.

It is recorded in Jami 'al-Tirmidhi that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah supports the Unity of the People. Whoever separates from the community will fall into the Hell." In addition, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) issued very strict orders for those who destroy the community through separatism and dissension. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Abdullah al-Bajali that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: One who is killed under the banner of a man who is blind (to his just cause), who raises the slogan of the Asabiyyat (party-spirit) or supports the Asabiyyat, dies the death of one belonging to the days of Jahiliyya. (Sahih Muslim 1850). In another hadith, the Prophet is reported to have said, “….Whoso attacks my Ummah (indiscriminately) killing the righteous and the wicked of them, sparing not (even) those staunch in faith and fulfilling not his promise made with those who have been given a pledge of security - he has nothing to do with me and I have nothing to do with him. (Sahih Muslim)

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud that the Prophet (peace be upon him) condemned the Asabiyyat in his hadith, “whoever raises the slogan of the Asabiyyat (party-spirit) has nothing to do with us, whoever kills due to the Asabiyyat has nothing to do with us, and whoever died the death of Asabiyyat is not from among us”.

When asked about the Asabiyyat, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The Asabiyyat is when a man helps his people to do wrong” (Sunan Ibn Majah/Sunan Abu Dawud)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) abolished the slogan of the Asabiyyat (party-spirit), sectarianism, tribalism, linguistics and regionalism through his enlightening teachings and presented the Islamic society as a society of peace and tranquillity; which teaches love, brotherhood and compassion. There are etiquettes that teach Muslims tolerance, forgiveness, forbearance and peace. But today we Muslims have completely forgotten these lessons. Instead of being grateful to each other, we seem to be at loggerheads with each other. National and linguistic prejudices, sectarian differences, narrow-mindedness, extremism, religious hatred are all antithetical to Islamic teachings.

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah is pleased with you about three things and He is angry with you about three things. He is pleased that you worship Him, not associating anything with Him, that you all take hold of the rope of Allah and that you give good counsel to those that Allah has put in authority over you. He dislikes you engaging in chitchat, asking a lot of questions and squandering wealth." (Al-Adab al-Mufrad / Sahih Muslim)

The most dangerous virus attacking the Muslim Ummah in the present age is the dispute and conflicts, in tendencies, characters, ethics, creeds, thoughts, opinions, rules of Jurisprudence, theology and acts of worship and in about all such other issues. However, after monotheism, Islam emphasizes the avoidance of mutual disputes, the destruction of relations and the prevention of anything that harms the Islamic brotherhood and the unity of the Muslims.

Disagreement in every worldly and religious issue is inevitable and has happened in every age and will continue to happen till the Day of Judgment. Considering that it is also a beautiful manifestation of God's power and a masterpiece of human nature, we must respect our mutual differences.

Allah Himself says, “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colours. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge” (30:22).

Naturally, every human being is different from other human beings, in temperament, thought, imagination, manners, habits and consciousness. That is why a conscious human being is not quick to adapt to the mental mould made by another human being. He sees with his eyes, thinks with his mind, understands with his heart, and then establishes the theory keeping in view the present, the future, the end and the consequences. Therefore the difference is said to be the symbol of living nations. However spaciousness of hearts, tolerance and respect for humanity are also very important.

Not every disagreement is reprehensible, nor can every disagreement be desirable and acceptable. A study of history reveals that whenever there was a sharp difference of opinions, the Muslim Ummah was not able to focus on the real goals. As a result, the unity of the Muslim Ummah was shattered. Its very existence was in danger. It was dominated by the enemies and became a tool of selflessness.

Urdu Article:  Principles And Etiquette Of Dissent In Islam اسلام میں’’ اختلاف رائے ‘‘ کے اُصول و آداب

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