Notes:
1. A difference of opinion indicates interest and commitment. Not stupidity and ignorance. Only the interested and committed, disagree.
So if you want to disagree, first appreciate the other person’s interest and commitment. Start by saying, “May Allah bless you for your interest in this matter and enable us to do what’s pleasing to Him.”
2. Always remember that in matters of opinion which are not clearly defined in the Qur’an or Sunnah, stating an opinion as the only correct way, is incorrect. Neither you nor the other person is getting Wahi. So don’t talk as if you are. You have an opinion based on your subjective understanding. The other person has an opinion based on his understanding. Both of you are ordinary people, not Anbiya. Remember that always.
Remember the principle of the Fuqaha: I believe my opinion is correct with the possibility of being wrong. And I believe that the other opinion is wrong with the possibility of being correct.
Humility is the safety net that saves us from arrogance and the anger Allah.
3. Don’t criticize the other opinion even if you think it is wrong. After all we can all agree that at worst the opinion may be a mistake in understanding or a lack of attention to a particular aspect of the case. It is not a case of an evil Shaytan trying to destroy Islam.
So make excuses for the brother as Rasoolullah (S) advised and don’t criticize. Don’t use words like silly, shallow, stupid, narrow minded or anything like that. Don’t attack the individual personally because that only shows you up in the worst light and closes the door for any objective consideration of what you’re about to say.
4. State your perspective on the matter and give your opinion with your evidence objectively, confidently and independently of whatever the other opinion stated.
Don’t refer to the other opinion or to it’s maker at all. It’s there for people to read if they please. You’re not trying to compare yourself to the other person and you’re not trying to show how much smarter you are. So simply state your case.
Guard your own Ikhlaas, Niyyah and fear Allah’s anger if He should consider your approach to be arrogance.
Remember the Hadith of Rasoolullah (S) who said that on the Day ofJudgment Allah will humiliate the one who insults and attacks the honor of his brother. So stay far away from anything which may appear to be insulting or humiliating in the way you refer to the other opinion or its maker.
5. Finally thank the other person for his opinion and interest and remind your audience that only Allah knows best and that we’re all only trying to please Him.
A difference of opinion in a matter of interpretation that creates a division among Muslims is a tool of Shaytan. Let us not help the Shaytan to achieve his aim.
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The Hanbali scholar Ibn al-Jawzī studied under the Maliki judge Ibn al-‘Arabī, who was a student of the Shafi’i jurist Abū Hāmid al-Ghazālī.
Also Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal studied under Imam Shafii who studied under Imam Muhammad who studied under Imam Abu Hanifa & Imam Malik.
Scholars valued difference of opinion as a way to looking at an issue from different angles.
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