In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Dispraise of Argumention in the Religion

By al-Haafidh ibn Rajab al-Hanbali al-Baghdaadi may Allah have mercy on him

The Imaam, who died 795 AH, collects in his tremendous book, “The superiority of knowledge of the Salaf over knowledge of the Khalaf” under the chapter “al-Jidaal wal Khisaam fil Masaail” some narrations regarding this important topic. He says:

1. Ibn Maajah collects a hadith on the authority of Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him said),

مَا ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدًى كَانُوا عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُوتُوا الْجَدَلَ

“No people go astray after having followed right guidance, but those who indulge in disputes.” Then he recited the Verse:

مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلاَۢ‌ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَ

“…They did not present the comparison except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute.” (surah Zhukruf: 58)

2. Some of the Salaf said,

اذا أراد الله بعبده خيرا فتح له باب العمل, و أغلق عنه باب الجدال. و اذا أراد الله بعبده شرا أغلق عنه باب العمل, و فتح له باب الجدل

“Whenever Allah wants good for His slave then He opens up for him the door of action and closes the door of argumentation. Whenever Allah wants evil for His slave then He closes for him the door of action and opens up the door of argumentation.”

3. Imaam Maalik ibn Anas (179 AH) said,

الجدال و المرء في العلم يذهب بنور القلب

“Debate and argumentation in knowledge (causes) light of the heart to depart”

4. And he also said,

المراء في العلم يقسي القلب و يورث الضغن

“Argumentation in knowledge hardens the heart and inherits spite”

5. Ja’far bin Muhammad said,

اياكم و الخصومات في الدين, فانها تشغل القلب و تورث النفاق
“Beware of disputing in the religion. For indeed it busies the heart and inherits hypocrisy.”

6. ‘Umar bin ‘Abdil-Azeez (101 AH) said,

من جعل دينه غرضا للخصومات أكثر التنقل

“Whoever makes his religion based on argumentation he will constantly change his position.”

Translated by: Michael AbdusSalaam Deonarain

الفقير الى الله