Disagreement Is Evil

Details

Disagreement Is Evil

Beginning from the reported saying of Ibn Mas’ud, “Disagreement is evil,” this article asks two basic questions: why do scholars differ, and what should ordinary Muslims do when they encounter that difference?

The article first notes that the Qur’an itself acknowledges difference among human beings as part of the created order. Total elimination of difference is not possible. But not all disagreement is the same. It distinguishes between a merciful and intelligible form of disagreement, such as that found among the Companions and righteous early scholars, and a second kind marked by conflict, opposition, and factionalism. The first does not destroy unity or mutual respect; the second breeds division and fanaticism and is strongly condemned.

For the ordinary Muslim, the article proposes several practical rules. First, one should verify that the people differing are truly qualified scholars, not merely students or unqualified public voices. Second, if one can meaningfully understand the proofs, then one should follow the opinion supported by the stronger evidence. Third, if the proofs seem close and one cannot distinguish between them, then one may follow what gives the heart a sound sense of reassurance without surrendering to personal desire or partisan bias.

The article concludes that Muslims are not asked to abolish scholarly disagreement, but to engage it properly: to seek truth as best they can, avoid fanaticism, and remember that God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.

Original publication

This article is also published on Alukah Network

This page presents an organized in-site version of the article within the website archive, while the original publication remains available on Alukah Network.

Go to the article on Alukah Network