Arguing About Religion is Very Harmful for the Ignorant.

Arguing About Religion is Very Harmful for the Ignorant.

Praise be to Allah, we have believers who are eager to meet the requirements of religion, to be true Muslims. These believers fulfill religious obligations to attract others to the path of the Almighty, because they worry about them. But this call is often associated with rudeness and violence.

We just should understand that the appeal to Allah must be accompanied by patience, care, kindness and love.
Allah said to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them.” I.e. the Prophet (PBUH), in spite of his outward perfection, and all the arguments and the knowledge, needed also gentleness and patience. His appeal would not have been answered otherwise. The Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an: “Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee.”

If the Prophet (PBUH) needed gentleness, how can we do without it? We even need it more. Do you know what splits up our society? It is the endless and perpetual religious disputes. They cannot be allowed in our Muslim society. Disputes divide it and evoke the worst and foulest vices within the arguers. Usually neither of the arguing knows the true answer to the question. In this case it is better to remember the words of the Prophet (PBUH): “If a man gives up contention when he is in the wrong, a house will be built for him within the Garden of Paradise; but if a man gives up contention even when he is in the right, a house will be built for him in the loftiest part of the Garden.”

Therefore, even if you are right, it does not mean you have to argue, scream and yell furiously. When it comes to arguing, stay away from it in the name of the Almighty, because disputes lead to disagreement and quarrels. Another Hadith narrated by Abu Darda says:

 “Once when we were arguing over a religious issue the Prophet (PBUH) came to us. When he saw us arguing, he became very angry and warned us: “Stop, Oh the Ummah of Muhammad. It destroyed those who were before you. Give up the dispute, as true believers do not argue. Leave it, for I will not stand up for an arguer on the Judgment Day.”

Of course, this is not about the debates among Islamic theologists with reasoning and arguments. And no dispute has ever led to controversy and hostility between the Ulama, the Islamic theologists. Even if they keep their points of view, they still do not lose the respect and love for each other. As for the ignorant in matters of religion, arguing is very harmful for them.

I want to focus your attention on the following Hadith. Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet (PBUH) as saying: “Every people and every community have lost their true path, given by the Almighty, only after they began disputing” I.e. the dispute may cause straying away from the truth.

Today only Ulama should be entitled to deal with any allegations of lack of faith or innovations. You must understand one thing: you cannot accuse anyone of disbelieving. Only Shariah can make a decision on suchlike issues. Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah)! Today we can hear the accusations of infidelity everywhere. How can we unite then? This division among Muslims is very advantageous for the enemies of Islam!

The religion should be spreading without any controversy. Whoever opens his heart to the Almighty, will receive guidance. None of us can guide anyone. Our task is to patiently bring and tell the truth. We must be those who make others fall in love in the Almighty, not move further away from Him. Rudeness and disputes are unacceptable in any area, even more so when inviting to Islam.

What Can Replace Rudeness?

You might ask: what can replace rudeness? Many of us deem impossible doing something without rudeness today. Yet, it is possible! There are alternative ways the Prophet (PBUH) suggests us. The first is justice. After all, the cause of most our trouble is injustice and bias. We must realize that if we dislike anyone, we must never be unfair to him.

There was a time when the Muslims in Medina lived in peace with the Jews, until the latter did not violate this peace. During this period the Jews had to pay to the treasury of the Muslims, just as the Muslims did. Special people were assigned to levy the money. They checked and fairly organized the levy. For this purpose the Messenger (PBUH) sent a Companion to the Jews, whose tribe never stopped plotting against the Muslims. When they heard about it, they were afraid that because of their plotting, this Companion would be unfair to them. When he came, they offered him a bribe to mollify him so that he was not in just to them. But he refused:

 “You offer me haram (what is forbidden). I came to you from the dearest person for me, and I hate you the most. But, despite this hatred, I will be fair to you. You do not have to offer me anything.” Seeing this person’s adherence to principles, the Jews said: “This justice holds the heavens and the earth.”

Secondly, it is a conversation, a dialogue. It is very important to listen to a person, understand the problem, give a beautiful and gentle explanation of what is allowed and what is not.

One of the Quraysh Companions said to the Prophet (PBUH): “Oh Messenger of Allah, let me commit adultery!” The Companions sitting around were going to attack this young man in anger. But the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stopped them saying: “Hold on, let him come closer.” Then the Messenger (PBUH) asked him: “Would you like it to happen to your mother?” The young man exclaimed: “No, Oh Messenger of Allah, who would want it for his mother!” – “And with your daughter?” – asked the Messenger (PBUH). The young man answered: 

“No, by Allah, what man wants his daughter to adulterize!” The Prophet (PBUH) asked: “And your sister?” The young man said: “No, no one can wish that.”
The Prophet (PBUH), put his hand on him and said: “Oh Allah! Forgive the sins of this slave, purify his heart and protect his body from the forbidden.” And after this young man did not even think about adultery.

What would happen, if the Prophet (PBUH) joined the wrathful Companions who were going to attack the young man? Instead, the Messenger (PBUH) started a dialogue with him. He (PBUH) reasoned him about the foul act. This is the best way to explain the requirements of Islam.

I will sum up by saying that ours is a religion of moderation, which calls only to patience, understanding. It is never about extremity, intolerance and calling for bloodshed. This is in the Islamic nature, it was introduced into our religion. We came to this, because we drifted away from the true understanding of the prophecy. It gave our enemies the chance to bring into our ranks the people who call for bloodshed and intolerance, who cannot forgive and discuss peacefully.

May Allah replace our cruelty and impatience by forgiveness! Ameen.