Difference of Opinion

Slide-1
● Disagreement leads towards Difference in Opinion
● It is a part of human nature to disagree
● Three aspects of life
○ Self Interest (Self Realization, My opinion's Worth, My Motives)
○ Humanity (What I think is better for everyone based upon my Experiences,
knowledge and social setting)
○ Life Interest (Everyone needs to live and so do i and as a human I have my
right to disagree and have my own opinion)
Slide-2
Definition:
Disagreement to an opinion by having another opinion supported by arguments.
Arguments can be:
● Scientific Facts & Figures
● Philosophical Statements
● Logical Statements
● Religious Statements (divine & revealed knowledge explained through human
understanding)
● History
Slide-3
Difference of opinion can go in both ways
● Good or bad
● Constructive or Destructive
● Positive or Negative
But as long as it doesnt creates chaos or damages the very base of discussion.
It strongly relates to an extent that strengthens your own opinion/stance (if supported
strongly and validly).
Slide-4
Difference of Opinion in Islam
Islam is a Religion thus religious statements are mainly used to differ from an opinion within
the boundaries of Islamic discussion.
Ikhtilaf:
● Arabic word which itself means disagreeing to something.
● In islam it is permissible as long as basic principles of Islam are not affected.
● Opposite of Ikhtilaf is 'Ijma' meaning consensus or unified opinion of all muslims.
● Ikhtilaf has limitations i.e. None can disagree to basic creed, pillars and foundation of
Islam.
● All religions have boundaries that cannot be crossed if you embrace that religion and
so is the case with Islam being a religion.
Slide-5
Quranic Reference
Surah Anfal Verse:5-6-7
● Battle of Badr and difference of opinion on 2 occasions.
● One group of muslims disagreed to fight because of weak situation of muslim state in
medina. (explain further)
● After the battle Hazrat Umar Farooq r.a disagreed on keeping the commanders of
Makkan Army alive and taking bounty money against them. (explain further)
Slide-6
Quranic Reference (Continued)
Surah Al-Nisa Verse:60-61-62
● Conflict between Jew and Hypocrite Bashir (short story explain)
● But the difference of opinion is not of them to be discussed rather its of Hazrat Umar
r.a with others as he sensed blasphemy in Bashir's statement durig the case hearing
so he behaded him.(explain further or during Q/A session)
Slide-7
Aima Arba & 4 School of Thoughts
● Created through positive critiques, discussions, decades of research and Ijma by
ummat over these 4 since last 1300 years (explain further)
● The 4 imams had Difference of Opinions but gave clear cut boundaries to Fiqh and
developed 4 basic codes to understand Quran & Hadith to derive Islamic
ruling(fatwa).
Slide-8
Main reasons to follow any one of them
● Our level of understanding the Quran & Hadith is not sound and expertise in this field
requires much guidance
● Every field of life requires a guide or a teacher so does a religion and on Islam that
guide and teacher after the time of Last Prophet, his companions are Imams. All
other Ulema, Mashaykh and Fuqaha are evidently the follower of one of these 4
Imams so the chain of guidance is called a maslak and it is important to rightly follow
Islam
● Geographical changes, Historical changes, Spread of Islam to Ajam also led towards
developing verdicts and gave shape to newly identified problems based on these 4
codes.
Slide-9
Sectarianism and Islam
Quranic Reference
Surah Al-An'am verses 64 till 70
● Islam clearly gives the main reason of sect formation.
○ Shirk (All forms including idol worshipping, sorcery or magic, shrine or person
veneration)
○ Bidat (Innovation in Islam that isn't in accordance with Quran & Sunnat. Also
trying to make it essential part of Islam)
Hence, deviation from basic principles and guidelines of Islam is the main reason of
Sectarianism.
Slide-10
Difference between Fiqa & Firqa
● Fiqa or Fiqh is the school of thought (explained earlier on Slide-7)
● Firqa is the Sect formed and this is the main reason of discord and religious
extremism
● Whoever denies the Fiqa (school of thought) will ultimately form a Firqa (Sect)
Quranic Reference
Surah Al-An'am Verse 159
● This verse clearly condemns Sectarianism and makes it punishable sin.
● Allah has ordered Rasool pak ‫ ﷺ‬to abandon those who deviate and
divide the Muslims into sects.
Slide-11
Conclusion