Is the principle that the obligatory is agreement in creed and that disagreement in methodology does not harm a valid one? We request clarification.
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The questioner : He saysThe questioner : Is the principle that the obligatory is agreement in creed and that disagreement in methodology does not harm a valid one? We request detail.
The Shaykh : In reality, disagreement among the Muslim community occurs in practical matters and in theoretical matters. However, the fundamentals in theoretical matters are not a point of disagreement among Muslims. The six pillars of faith: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree, its good and its evil—Muslims did not differ on these. But a dispute may arise among them regarding some instances of these fundamentals. For example, scholars differed on whether the punishment of the grave is upon the body or upon the soul, while agreeing that the punishment of the grave is established. All Muslims say in their prayers, "I seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the Hellfire and from the punishment of the grave." And their disagreement on what is weighed on the Day of Resurrection: what is weighed, is it the worker, the deed, or the scrolls of deeds, while agreeing that the weighing is established. Similarly, their disagreement on the Sirat, which is placed over Hellfire: is it a road like ordinary roads, wide, or is it sharper than a sword and finer than hair? Their disagreement also, and it is a disagreement that is undoubtedly weak, is whether the Fire is eternal or for a limited time? And the correct position, which we are certain of, is that it is eternal, because Allah mentioned its eternity in three verses of the Qur'an: in Surat al-Nisa:[An-Nisa 4:168-169] and in Surat al-Nisa: [Al-Ahzab 33:64-65] and in Surat al-Jinn: [Al-Jinn 72:23].
But my intention is that disagreement occurs in theoretical matters just as it occurs in practical matters. As for disagreement in practical matters in jurisprudential issues, it is very, very much, and the books of jurisprudence are full of disagreement, as students of knowledge know. And our position regarding this is defined by Allah (Mighty and Majestic), who said:[Ash-Shuraa 42:10]. And He said: [An-Nisa 4:59] Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Disagreement in methodology.
The Shaykh : Disagreement in methodology and in creed, all of it must have its reference to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. Yes, indeed.
The Shaykh : In reality, disagreement among the Muslim community occurs in practical matters and in theoretical matters. However, the fundamentals in theoretical matters are not a point of disagreement among Muslims. The six pillars of faith: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree, its good and its evil—Muslims did not differ on these. But a dispute may arise among them regarding some instances of these fundamentals. For example, scholars differed on whether the punishment of the grave is upon the body or upon the soul, while agreeing that the punishment of the grave is established. All Muslims say in their prayers, "I seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the Hellfire and from the punishment of the grave." And their disagreement on what is weighed on the Day of Resurrection: what is weighed, is it the worker, the deed, or the scrolls of deeds, while agreeing that the weighing is established. Similarly, their disagreement on the Sirat, which is placed over Hellfire: is it a road like ordinary roads, wide, or is it sharper than a sword and finer than hair? Their disagreement also, and it is a disagreement that is undoubtedly weak, is whether the Fire is eternal or for a limited time? And the correct position, which we are certain of, is that it is eternal, because Allah mentioned its eternity in three verses of the Qur'an: in Surat al-Nisa:
(168) Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong [or injustice] - never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path. (169) Except the path of Hell; they will abide therein forever.
إن الذين كفروا وظلموا لم يكن الله ليغفر لهم ولا ليهديهم طريقا إلا طريق جهنم خالدين فيها أبدا(64) Indeed, Allah has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a Blaze. (65) Abiding therein forever, they will not find a protector or a helper.
إن الله لعن الكافرين وأعد لهم سعيرا خالدين فيها أبداAnd whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger - then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever.
ومن يعص الله ورسوله فإن له نار جهنم خالدين فيها أبداBut my intention is that disagreement occurs in theoretical matters just as it occurs in practical matters. As for disagreement in practical matters in jurisprudential issues, it is very, very much, and the books of jurisprudence are full of disagreement, as students of knowledge know. And our position regarding this is defined by Allah (Mighty and Majestic), who said:
And in anything over which you disagree - its ruling is [to be referred] to Allah.
وما اختلفتم فيه من شيء فحكمه إلى اللهAnd if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
فإن تنازعتم في شيء فردوه إلى الله والرسول إن كنتم تؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر ذلك خير وأحسن تأويلاThe questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Disagreement in methodology.
The Shaykh : Disagreement in methodology and in creed, all of it must have its reference to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. Yes, indeed.