How to Deal With Sectarian Differences?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
In our local mosques, we have a lot of arguments between two groups from the Indian sub-continent that are confusing us.
Please advise on how to deal with the situation.
Answer
I pray you are well.
Leave What Causes You Confusion and Unease
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Leave what causes you disturbing doubts [and go] to what does not do so.” [Tirmidhi] This is a very deep counsel.
The point of religion is to draw closer to Allah and to become a better person. Engaging in these arguments between the two groups will not do that. Rather, it will make you an argumentative person.
It is perfectly possible to learn the deen of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and apply it properly without getting involved in any of the above arguments or debates. Arguing about religion is blameworthy. There are certain scholarly discussions on these matters, and it’s best to leave them to the scholars.
It’s best for you to just go to a mosque, pray your prayers and focus on getting closer to Allah. That will nourish your faith. Getting into these matters won’t benefit you.
Learn From the Experiences of Others
Someone I know was deeply involved in these matters. Knowing all the arguments and mixing with all the people who stoked its fires. He had even memorized the Quran before this.
The constant debate did not nourish his faith or understanding of the deen. As the years passed, the problems of life came, and he wasn’t able to understand why such things were happening and what the wisdom of these tests was because he ignored beneficial knowledge and ran after things that didn’t concern him. He didn’t understand the religion.
In the end, we had to go and clear his confusion at a time when he was on the verge of leaving Islam to become a Sikh!
May Allah protect us.
Don’t engage with anyone on such topics. Talk about the favors of Allah and the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace). Study a basic ‘aqida text, like the Kharida, learn your fiqh, and get a copy of Imam Nawawi’s Riyad al Salihin and study it.
This will be better for you on the Day of Judgement. We have plenty of beneficial content available here for you.
You can take free courses here at SeekersGuidance:
SeekersGuidance Islamic Studies Curriculum
May Allah guide us all to what leads to His pleasure.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
