Home Ibaadah Knowledge Common Conflicts The Permissible and Impermissible Types of Differing | The Permissible and Impermissible Types of Differing |
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| Saturday, 23 June 2007 | |
 Compiled from the statements of Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H), Imaam as-Sa’dee (d.1376H), and contemporary Scholars like al-’Allaamah Ibnul-’Uthaymeen. A brief explanation of what types of differing is allowed in Islaam, and what type is not allowed.
Shaykh Ibn lbraaheem – rahimahullaah – (d.1389H) – said:
“Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah have usool (fundamentals) which are firmly based upon proofs; and upon this are built the furoo’ (subsidiary issues).” [1]GUIDELINES REGARDING DIFFERENCES:
Imaam as-Sa’dee (d.1376H) – rahimahullaah – said:
THE PERMISSIBLE TYPE OF DIFFERING:
Shaykh Ibnul-’Uthaymeen – hafidhahullaah – said:
“This sect (the Saved-Sect) unites upon the truth, even if its people do have differences of opinion between themselves. However, these differences do not harm their (unity), nor cause them to declare each other as deviants. Rather, their hearts are still united, even when these differences of opinion occur in matters linked to the ’aqeedah (beliefs); such as did the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) see his Lord with his eyes, or did he not see him (with his eyes)? Or is the punishment in the grave to the body and the soul, or just to the soul only? Or other such issues. This is because these issues are subsidiary issues connected with the usool, they are not the actual usool itself. So they do not declare each other as being deviants when they differ in such matters – contrary to what the innovators do.” [3]
THE PROHIBITED TYPE OF DIFFERING:
Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah – said:
“The Scholars – from the Companions, the Taabi’een, and those who came after them – when they differed in any matter, then they followed the Command of Allaah – the Most High – in His saying: “If you differ in anything amongst yourselves then refer it back to Allaah and His Messenger, if you do truly believe in Allaah and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [Sooratun-Nisaa‘ 4:59].
So they would discuss concerning the issue; discuss, consult and sincerely advise. Sometimes they would differ in matters linked to the ’aqeedah, as well as issues linked to actions, yet along with such differences, they still preserved the unity and brotherhood.
Yes, whosoever opposes the clear Book and the beneficial Sunnah, or that which the Pious Predecessors of this Ummah had Ijmaa’ (consensus) upon, opposing it without a justifiable excuse, then such a person has acted with the action of the Innovators.
radiyallaahu ’anhumaa – who were the best of the Muslims – used to differ in matters, but they did not intend except good. And the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to his Companions on the day of [the expedition to] Banu Quraydhah:
“Let none of you pray ’Asr except when you reach Banu Quraydhah.’’
So the time for the ’Asr Prayer came during the journey, so one group amongst them said: We will not pray until we reach Banu Quraydhah; so they missed the actual time for ’Asr. The other group said: We will not miss it by delaying the Prayer; so they prayed along the way. And the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did not criticize any of the two groups. This is related by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim, from Ibn ’Umar. [4] So this differing was in a matter related to rulings and actions, not in the important usool (fundamentals) itself.” [5]
Footnotes:
[1] Fataawaa lil-Lajnatud-Daa‘imah lil-Buhoothul-’Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa (no. 830). [2] Tanbeehaatul-Lateefah (p. 93). [3] Sharhul-’Aqeedatul-Waasitiyyah (1/53). [4] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no.946) and Muslim (no. 1770).
[5] Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (24/172-174), slightly abridged
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 23 June 2007 ) |
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