Opposing Viewpoints From Islamic Perspective
By Ibrahim B. Syed, New Age Islam
21 January 2022
Freedom Of Expression, Free Thinking, Free
Inquiry Rights Are Denied To The Muslims Residing In Certain Countries
Main Points:
1.
Freedom
of expression, free thinking, Free Inquiry, etc., are guaranteed by the Noble
Qur'an to the Muslims.
2.
Western
countries have adopted these Qur'anic rights in their national Constitution.
3.
Censoring
somebody because they have a different point of view on something-religion,
politics, war strategies, etc. is wrong!
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Freedom of expression, free thinking, Free
Inquiry, etc., are guaranteed by the Noble Qur'an to the Muslims. But
unfortunately, these rights are denied to the Muslims who live in certain
countries. However, many Muslims are
unaware of this fundamental right. On
the other hand, Western countries have adopted these Qur'anic rights in their
national Constitution. For example, the First Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution states, Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press." One of the reasons for the stagnation of
intellectual growth in the Muslim World is the oppression of these rights and
also the right to disagree with others' point of view.
About 200 years ago, a Western scholar
Joseph Joubert said, "It is better to debate a question without settling
it than to settle a question without debating it."
No one can deny that one should consider
every variety of opinion in an attempt to determine the TRUTH. Opinions of authorities in the field should
be examined, as well as of those that are considered radical, reactionary,
minority and of others that are stigmatized by some other uncomplimentary
label. History teaches that what were
considered as unpopular, and even despised opinions eventually got
accepted. Some good examples in this
category are the ideas expressed by Ibn Sina, Al-Biruni, Al-Razi, Ibn Nafis,
Ibn Haytham, Socrates, Galileo, Newton, Einstein, etc.
David L. Bender, publisher of Opposing
Viewpoints Series, San Diego, California, says, “To have a good grasp of one's
own viewpoint, it is necessary to understand the arguments of those with whom
one disagrees. It can be said that those
who do not completely understand their adversary's point of view do not fully
understand their own."
We always think that our views are most
rational and those of others are wrong. It may turn out that others views are
correct and our own views are in error.
One should remember to keep an open mind to the views and ideas
expressed by others with whom we disagree.
Wisdom lies in listening than in speaking, for more can be learned by
listening than speaking. We become
emotional and angry at those with whom we disagree and we treat them as our
enemies. Instead we should treat their
opinions objectively and treat them as different paths to a common goal. We need to develop a number of basic skills
of reading and critical thinking such as: Evaluating Sources of Information;
Separating Fact from Opinion; Identifying Stereotypes and Recognizing
Ethnocentrism. These skills are details
in "Science and Religion" Edited by Rohr and Szumski, Greenhaven
Press, Inc., San Diego, California, 1988.
Censoring somebody because they have a
different point of view on something-religion, politics, war strategies, etc.
is wrong! Rules about profanity, personal attacks-perfectly understandable; we
can disagree on certain topics without things turning nasty. Now on occasion,
some situations have turned ugly-and probably will again, once in a while; It
is doubted if that can be avoided completely; it's because we are human- and
feelings & emotions will sometimes get rubbed the wrong way. It happens!
If people want to debate politics, what
harm is it doing? What? There is NO
REASON whatsoever, to exclude someone off the discussion just because one's
political views are different from somebody else's; it is unfair censorship and
it is wrong!! If one does not agree with someone else's point of view, so what?
The world won't come to an end because of that, right? One should BE FLEXIBLE!
Islamic Perspective
There were many instances of judicial
disagreement between the early fuqaha; differences that were not allowed to go
beyond the academic or to cause hard feelings among the debaters and dissenters
alike. Certainly, the differences between those early scholars never led them
to lose sight of the higher purposes of the Shari`ah or their responsibilities.
Muslims must be aware of the polemics to the subject of disagreement in
general. Contemporary Muslims should
follow many commendable examples of forbearance and understanding on the part
of some of the greatest personalities and scholars in Muslim history.
Differences of opinion are inevitable
wherever people have both intellect and honesty. Complete consensus on every
issue is possible only when everyone is dumb, so they cannot think of a
different idea, or they are dishonest so they willingly agree with a position
that they consider wrong. After all religious interpretations are not personal
rights that can be sacrificed away.
The problem occurs when we overstate these
differences. There were differences of opinion in Fiqh among the
Companions, their followers, and great Mujahideen. But they did not turn these
into fights. They disagreed but they maintained respect and love for each
other. The brotherhood remained intact. They had tolerance for the other view.
How can we have tolerance for something we
know is wrong? Of course, we cannot have any tolerance for anything clearly
established as wrong by Qur'an or Hadith. We can never show accommodation for
apostasy. We can never agree on changing the Shariah's established definitions
of halal and haram. But beyond this there are issues about which Qur'an and
Sunnah are silent or are subject to more than one interpretation. Here the
mujahideen deduce the intent of Qur'an and Sunnah based on their best ability.
Here disagreements are possible. As long as those involved are qualified
mujahideen (like the four respected imams), their differing views have to be
respected. We can follow only one opinion, and we should try and determine the
one closest to the intent of the Shariah, but we cannot declare opposing views
as evil. We exaggerate when we deal with people holding valid opposing views as
if they were outside the bounds of Islam.
Overstatement (Ghuloo) is the main
cause of most fights involving our religious groups. It also happens with
Islamic organizations. Most are doing useful work in the areas they chose based
on their abilities and inclinations. Had they developed a spirit of cooperation
and considered their differences as just a natural division of labor, together
they could have become a formidable force. Unfortunately, each one of them
considers their work and methodology as the only methodology for Islamic work.
If a person leaves one of these organizations to join another, he is treated as
if he had recanted his faith. This is ghuloo. It produces the tribalism of
Jahiliya (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance) among religious workers.
Pious people are not extinct today. What we
sorely need is the reformers who can rise above their narrow perspectives and
heed the universal and unifying call of Islam.
Sunnis vs. Shias
The major difference between the Sunnis and
the Shi'a has to do with the issue of succession after the Prophet (S). That is to say, who had the prerogative to
lead the Muslim community in temporal and religious affairs after the demise of
the Prophet. The Shia view is that the
Prophet (S) explicitly appointed (Nass-Ul-Jali) Imam Ali (RA) as his
successor in accordance with the divine instruction. The Shias envision the Imam as someone who is
endowed with grace and benevolence (Lutf), who can guide the community
in all spheres without committing any mistake or error because he is infallible
(Ma'soom) [Shaykhs Mufid and Saduq were of the opinion that the Imams
are prone to committing small errors].
The doctrine of Imamate is at the heart of
the issue which divides the Sunnis and the Shi'a. Of course, there are many other differences
between these two main branches of Muslims but they are derived from the basic
disagreement on the question of succession to the Prophet (S).
In contrast, the Sunnis view the seat of
the caliph as a political function that can be entrusted to a competent and
trustworthy individual without any explicit appointment from the Prophet (S).
To underline this salient feature, many
works were composed in the classical and medieval times on the doctrine of
Imamate. See the works of Hisham b.
Hakam, Nu'man, Saduq, Mufid, Tusi, etc.
The latest extensive work on Imamate is by Allamah Amini titled
"Al-Ghadir." It is a
monumental work and very much worth reading.
Also, a good portion of "Al-Kaafi" is devoted to the issue of
Imamate [Kitab-ul-Hujjah].
Some controversial topics in Islam are
the following:
Muta (Temporary Marriage)
Hijab
Halal Food Products
Beard
Rights Of Muslim Women
Talaq (Divorce)
Tolerance In Islam
Jihad
Islam Spread By Sword
Women Attending The Masjid
Women Praying Behind Barriers In Masjid
Women Shaking Hands With Men
Celebrating Birthdays
Celebrating Prophet’s Birthday
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Dr. Ibrahim B. Syed is Immediate Past
President, Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc. 7102 W. Shefford
Lane, Louisville, KY 40242, USA Phone:
+1 502 423 1988
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/opposing-view-islamic-perspective/d/126201