Reflections

We always think that our views are most rational and those of others are wrong. Muslims should remember to keep an open mind to the views and ideas expressed by others.


Freedom of expression, free thinking, Free inquiry, etc., are guaranteed by the Noble Qur’an to the Muslims. But unfortunately these rights are denied to the Muslims who live in certain countries. However many Muslims are unaware of this fundamental right. On the other hand, Western countries have adopted these Qur’anic rights in their national Constitution. For example, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” One of the reasons for the stagnation of intellectual growth in the Muslim World is the oppression of these rights and also the right to disagree with others’ point of view.
About 200 years ago, a Western scholar, Joseph Joubert said, “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.”


No one can deny that one should consider every variety of opinion in an attempt to determine the TRUTH. Opinions of authorities in the field should be examined, as well as of those that are considered radical, reactionary, minority and of others that are stigmatised by some other uncomplimentary label. History teaches that what were considered as unpopular, and even despised opinions eventually got accepted. Some good examples in this category are the ideas expressed by Ibn Sina, Al-Biruni, Al-Razi, Ibn Nafis, Ibn Haythem, Socrates, Galileo, Newton and Einstein.


David L. Bender, publisher of Opposing Viewpoints Series, San Diego, California, says, “To have a good grasp of one’s own viewpoint, it is necessary to understand the arguments of those with whom one disagrees. It can be said that those who do not completely understand their adversary’s point of view do not fully understand their own.”


We always think that our views are most rational and those of others are wrong. It may turn out that others views are correct and our own views are in error. One should remember to keep an open mind to the views and ideas expressed by others with whom we disagree. Wisdom lies in listening than in speaking, for more can be learned by listening than speaking. We become emotional and angry at those with whom we disagree and we treat them as our enemies. Now on occasion, some situations have turned ugly-and probably will again, once in a while; It is doubted if that can be avoided completely; it’s because we are human- and feelings and emotions will sometimes get rubbed the wrong way. It happens!


If people want to debate politics, what harm is it doing? What? There is no reason whatsoever, to exclude someone off the discussion just because one’s political views are different from somebody else’s; it is unfair censorship and it is wrong!! If one does not agree with someone else’s point of view, so what? The world won’t come to an end because of that, right? One should be flexible.


Islamic Perspective


There were many instances of judicial disagreement between the early fuqaha; differences that were not allowed to go beyond the academic or to cause hard feelings among the debaters and dissenters alike. Certainly, the differences between those early scholars never led them to lose sight of the higher purposes of the Shari‘ah or their responsibilities. Muslims must be aware of the polemics to the subject of disagreement in general. Contemporary Muslims should follow many commendable examples of forbearance and understanding on the part of some of the greatest personalities and scholars in Muslim history.


Differences of opinion are inevitable wherever people have both intellect and honesty. Complete consensus on every issue is possible only when either everyone is dumb, so they cannot think of a different idea, or they are dishonest so they willingly agree with a position that they consider wrong.
The problem occurs when we overstate these differences. There were differences of opinion in fiqh among the Companions, their followers, and great Mujaahideen. But they did not turn these into fights. They disagreed but they maintained respect and love for each other. The brotherhood remained intact. They had tolerance for the other view.


How can we have tolerance for something we know is wrong? Of course we cannot have any tolerance for anything clearly established as wrong by Qur’an or Hadith. We can never show accommodation for apostasy. We can never agree on changing the Shariah’s established definitions of halal and haram. But beyond this there are issues about which Qur’an and Sunnah are silent or are subject to more than one interpretation. Here the mujaahideen deduce the intent of Qur’an and Sunnah based on their best ability.


Overstatement (ghuloo) is the main cause of most fights involving our religious groups. It also happens with Islamic organizations. Most are doing useful work in the areas they chose based on their abilities and inclinations. Had they developed a spirit of cooperation and considered their differences as just a natural division of labour, together they could have become a formidable force. Unfortunately each one of them considers their work and methodology as the only methodology for Islamic work. If a person leaves one of these organizations to join another, he is treated as if he had recanted his faith. This is ghuloo. It produces the tribalism of Jahiliyya (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance) among religious workers.


Pious people are not extinct today. What we sorely need is the reformers who can rise above their narrow perspectives and heed the universal and unifying call of Islam.


(The writer is President , Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc., Louisville, USA.)