Muslims are not a homogeneous entity. Differences of views, sects, legal schools and interpretations are almost as old the faith of Islam itself. In and of itself this is by no means objectionable. Indeed, it is but natural that when human beings seek to understand the Quran or the words of the Prophet Muhammad, there will be many differences in approach, emphasis, interpretation and understanding.
At times such differences will be expressed strongly and there may be a need to clearly enunciate differences, even at the risk of causing some offence. All of this is to be expected, and in my view, tolerated.
However, Muslims, especially those who claim to be scholars must always be conscious of the high moral standards of behaviour our Creator expects of us. Too often, we find that some highly polemical, sectarian scholars of today (and their followers) are willing to behave in ways that are in clear violation of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad.
This article is an invitation to all Muslim brothers and sisters to rediscover the adaab of debate, and place the akhlaaq or morals of Islam at centre stage, whenever they talk to or about others, who see things differently from them.
Golden Rules
In Surah Al-Hujarat, Chapter 49 of the Quran, we are given a series of divine commandments that must always guide our behaviour and actions:
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames.
Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers…O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.
And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful….O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.
Al-Quran 49: 11 – 13
The above ayahs of God’s word, instruct us to follow these key rules which should govern our social interactions at all times:
- We should NOT make fun of others or insult them– We might find some of the views of others to be outlandish, strange, even ridiculous. Yet ALLAH does not want us to make jokes about other people. Moreover we should not assume we are necessarily better than those we are making fun of. Elsewhere, the Quran also prohibits us from being self righteous and ‘ascribing purity to oneself’ when only Allah knows who is truly righteous (53:32).
- We cannot ever call people by names they disapprove of i.e. ‘wobblers’ or ‘wahabbis’ for Salafis, or ‘bidatis’ for Barelvis. A little contemplation will lead one to conclude that if we cannot call people what they disapprove of, we also cannot impute views to them which they deny that they hold. The verse goes on to order that those guilty of such a sin should repent immediately or else will be held to account for a major sin. This underlines that this code of conduct is absolutely essential to follow for believers and not a minor matter in the sight of Allah.
- We should not question people’s intentions or think badly of them. We should always be charitable when others are wrong and assume that they have made a genuine mistake. We should politely address the error in their thinking or arguments, without making slanderous (and unprovable) allegations about others being agents for Non-Muslims, covert liberals with an agenda to destroy Islam or secret followers of another religion or sect. To assume bad things about others is not just foolish, it is a major act of disobedience to God.
- We should not spy on others. This means we should not go hunting for something about a person that can discredit them, or share unverified allegations about a person’s private life.
- We should avoid eating the dead flesh of one’s brother i.e. no backbiting. This does not mean we cannot express our disagreement with a group or an individual, provided we do so in a way that is polite and in the same way we would if the person was present. The person criticised must be given a fair opportunity to respond. It is therefore clearly wrong for some people to criticise, assume negative things, and insult early Muslims such as companions and wives of the Prophet when they are no longer present to defend themselves. Doing so is a serious sin, in light of these verses, quite apart from the clear verses that prove their high standing in the sight of God.
- These commands relate to all of mankind…verse 49:13 makes it abundantly clear that while the verses focus on intra-muslim relationships in particular, in general they govern how Muslims behave with other people regardless of their religious affiliation. The Prophet also taught us to treat all people, as we would like to be treated, whatever their faith (Musnad Ahmad, Number 6768, Sahih)
Show Humility
Nor is this the only place in the Quran which imposes strict rules on how a Muslim is to interact with fellow humans. For instance Surah Luqman prohibits talking in a loud, harsh voice. It also forbids walking in a way that shows arrogance, and turning away from people in contempt:
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful…And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys
Al Quran 31:18 – 19
Those debating and discussing Islam need to recall the above admonition and avoid appearing arrogant or contemptuous of others in their demeanour. The tone of voice and manner of speech of a Muslim should not be harsh or smack of conceit.
It should be remembered that the Quran states that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of an needle than an arrogant person to enter paradise (7:40) and the Prophet peace be upon him also warned that a single atom of arrogance in a person’s heart would exclude them from a place in Paradise (Sahih Muslim 91)
Speak Gently
The Quran emphasises the importance of calling others to the truth in a wise, calm and gentle manner. One should not put people off through a harsh and judgemental demeanour. The most stunning example of this is when God commanded Moses to speak gently to Pharoah, who was the most obstinate disbeliever who oppressed the innocent Israelites and even claimed to be God himself!
Yet the manner of a Muslim preacher or da’ai should be exemplary (16:125) regardless of how bad the person is whom they are addressing. God gave the following order to Prophet Moses regarding the evil tyrant Pharoah:
And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [ Allah ].
Al Quran 20:44
In view of this, the haughty attitude of some religious leaders who resort to an unseemly tone, use bad laguage, and speak with a condescending attitude towards opponents in a debate, clearly violates the command of Allah and his Messenger.
Do not spread rumours
The Prophet reportedly said that a person would be deemed a liar simply if they repeated everything they heard from others (Sahih Muslim ). Further, he gave a stern warning to those who attributed something untrue to him Narrated `Ali:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do not tell a lie against me for whoever tells a lie against me …then he will surely enter the Hell-fire.”
Sahih Bukhari 106
In view of these chilling words of the exalted Prophet, we must avoid spreading and propogating statements attributed to him without ensuring the citation is correct and from authentic sources.
Indeed, one of the major issues we have today is the growing obsession with conspiracy theories and rumours. The Quran categorically prohibits us from sharing news that we cannot gain reliable knowledge of, nor of uncritically passing on information from sources that may prove untrustworthy:
Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge. Surely the hearing, the sight, and the heart – each of these is subject to questioning (by Allah)….O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.
Al Quran 17:36 & 49:6
Avoid Quarrelling
The Quran doesn’t want Muslims to enagage in futile discussions, or sit with and engage with those who commit blasphemy. Where such ignorance is to be encountered, our response should be a dignified withdrawal and avoidance rather than violence or continuing a pointless dialogue:
And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversion. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people...
Those (are true believers) who witness no falsehood, and, if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable (avoidance);
Al Quran 6:68 & 25:72
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also promised that Allah would reward believers who avoided quarelling even when they were right:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.
Sunan Abu Dawud 4800
Avoid Sectarianism
Finally, I would like to remind my esteemed readers that the Quran condemns those who break the religion into sects and commands us to call ourselves Muslims and nothing else.
We must move past the attitude of uncritically following any one sectarian viewpoint and assuming that others are somehow bound for divine chastisement, whilst we have a monopoly on truth or entry to paradise. These were the traits of the People of the Book, the Quran warned us against. May Allah guide us all.
[Follow not the way ] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.…And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.
Al Quran 30:32 & 3:103