The Prohibition of Al Jidaal (ie. Disputing) Concerning the Religion

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah (the People of Prophetic Way and the group) prohibit argumentation and disputes in the religion. This is because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prohibited that. And also in the Sahīhayn (i.e. A-Bukhārī, Muslim) it is related that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Recite the Qur'aan as long as your hearts are in harmony but if you differ with each other (over it) then stop it (ie. stop reciting or reading)."*

And it is reported in the Musnad and the Sunan of Ibn Mājah, and it's origin is in Sahīh Muslim, on the authority of 'Abdullah Bin 'Amr Bin Al-'Aas, that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came out whilst people were disputing concerning AI-Qadar (ie. Predestination), so it was if a pomegranate seed was split open in his face (ie. his face was very red) due to his anger" So he said, "Is this what you were ordered to do!? Or is this what you were created for!? You strike some of the Qur'aan against other parts of it!? Through this the nations before you were destroyed."

Rather, a narration has come to the effect that Al-Jidaal (ie. disputing, argumentation) is a puníshment from the punishments of Allah in this Ummah (i.e. this Islamic nation). So in the Sunan of At-Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah it is reported from the narration of Abū Umāmah who said, The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, 'No people became misguided after having guidance except that they were given al-jadl (ie. arguing, disputation)' Then he recited,

Az-Zukhruf 43:58

وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَٰلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢاۚ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ 

... They did not present it [i.e., the comparison] except for [mere] argument...

The Type of debating that is blameworthy

And all of this speech is concerning the arguing that is done in falsehood or arguing for the truth that is done after it has been made clear (already) or arguing about an issue which the one who is debating has no knowledge about or arguing about those things in the Qur'aan which are mutashaabih (ie. those verses whose meanings are not entirely clear) or arguing whilst having the wrong intention and things like this.

The Praiseworthy Debating

As for if the debating is done to clarify the truth and make it apparent, if it is done by a person who has knowledge and a correct intention and who adheres to the manners (of debate), then that is something that is praiseworthy. 

Allah جل جلاله said,

An-Nahl 16:125

ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِۖ وَجَٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ 

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.  

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*Translator's Note : In the explanation of this narration by Sheikh Ibn Al-Uthaymīn, he mentioned that this means that if you are in a gathering and you are reading or reciting the Qur'aan or if you are going over any issues of knowledge and benefitting from it and your hearts are in harmony then do it, but if you begin to differ to the point where your differing will cause intense argumentation and dispute that may even lead to fighting then cease your reading in this situation so as to avoid trouble.

[Source: The Correct Creed that Every Muslim Must Believe | By Noble Scholar Abdus Salaam Bin Burjis رحمه الله]

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