How to respect difference of opinion?

Short Answer

The best way to help Muslims to respect difference of opinion, is by quoting Quran and Sunnah to them. It is abundantly clear in Quran and Sunnah that difference of opinion is to be respected when it is valid. Thereafter, you can provide examples of differences amongst Sahabah.

Hadith

النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ، يَقُولُ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: الحَلاَلُ بَيِّنٌ، وَالحَرَامُ بَيِّنٌ، وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشَبَّهَاتٌ لاَ يَعْلَمُهَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ (صحيح البخاري)

(Sayidina) Nu’man ibn Bashir said he heard the Prophet ﷺ say, ‘The Halal is clear and the Haram is clear, and between them are ambiguous matters. Most people do not know them.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, 52).

The best way to persuade any Muslim regarding any religious issue is to quote and explain to them Quran and Hadith. As well as presenting the understanding classical scholars had regarding the Quranic verses or Hadith being presented. The above Hadith makes it clear that there are aspects of the Deen that have been left open to interpretation, and therefore open to difference of opinion.

The above Hadith makes it clear that there are aspects of the Deen that have been left open to interpretation. Therefore, they are open to difference of opinion. Muslims must respect difference of opinion when it is valid. When different views are outside of the limits of orthodox Islam, then they must be rejected.

Knowledge is necessary

In order to differentiate between a valid difference of opinion and an invalid difference, one must study. Valid difference must be respected. Invalid differences must be opposed. You can only do this if you have knowledge. Not only is studying Islam traditionally obligatory in itself. But it is also fundamental to being able to distinguish between credible and rejected differences.

Persuading lay Muslims

The best way to persuade any Muslim regarding any religious issue is to quote and explain to them Quran and Hadith. As well as presenting the understanding classical scholars had regarding the Quranic verses or Hadith being presented. This will help them to respect difference of opinion. However, it is more important to encourage them to study Islam more broadly. Otherwise, they will remain susceptible to misguidance.

Conclusion

With regards to enabling people to respect difference of opinion, it is good to explain that difference of opinion in this Deen is by design. Meaning Allah (Most High) decreed it. It was not incidental. Nothing occurs in the revelation of Allah (Most High) except by His planning and decision. In Hadith narrations it is clear to see that the Prophet ﷺ wanted room for difference of opinion.

The Prophet ﷺ wanted flexibility for the Ummah. Thus, when you provide specific evidence and examples, people should understand the issue well. One should also demonstrate to the listener that the Sahabah differed over many matters. And how the differences were respected.

الِاخْتِلَافَ مِنْ آثَارِ الرَّحْمَةِ، فَمَهْمَا كَانَ الِاخْتِلَافُ أَكْثَرَ كَانَتْ الرَّحْمَةُ أَوْفَرَ

فَإِنَّ اخْتِلَافَ أَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى تَوْسِعَةٌ لِلنَّاسِ كَمَا فِي أَوَّلِ التَّتَارْخَانِيَّة

التَّخْيِيرِ فِي الْإِفْتَاءِ بِالْقَوْلَيْنِ الْمُصَحَّحَيْنِ، فَإِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ رَحْمَةً وَتَوْسِعَةً ط. (رد المحتار على الدر المختار)

 

Imam al-Haskafi: Difference of opinion is from the outcomes of mercy (Rahmah). The greater the difference, the more abundant the mercy.

Imam Ibn Abideen: Indeed, the differences between the Imams of guidance is a means of ease for the people. This is mentioned at the beginning of the al-Tataarkhaniyah.

Imam Ibn Abideen: Indeed, there is mercy and ease in the choice of giving a fatwa upon either one of two correct opinions. (Radd al-Muhtar).

For more on this topic, please listen to the video below.

And Allah (Most High) Knows Best.

– Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen (19.02.2021)

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