Disputes and Differences Among Students of Knowledge and Guidance Thereon

Question:
Also, Shaykh, regarding today, the reality is that the Ummah today is suffering from some disputes and differences among some of the students of knowledge. We find that some of them may have transgressed against others in words that are published or in articles that are written, and so on, which has truly led to some division in some circles of this Ummah. What is your opinion and guidance in such a matter?

Answer:
There is no doubt that this does not indicate good, and Allah the Exalted says: Allah the Exalted has commanded us to unite, to be affectionate toward one another, and to cooperate, even if some of us make criticisms of others. One should look at the original state of the person and the good he possesses, and overlook minor slips, because a person is not infallible. As the poet said, it is enough for a man to be noble if his faults are counted.
Yes, so it is obligatory for us all to leave these minor differences, provided that the creed is sound; otherwise, the matter is difficult. We should turn away from these minor differences and from this, while advising one another and taking hold of one another’s hands. This is what is obligatory upon us, and we should not be a cause of division, for if we divide, the Ummah around us will divide. We must leave this difference and overlook these minor matters, and consider that, like others, we are not infallible. We are not infallible, and no error issues from us, and no error issues from us. But one error is less than another. Yes.