What is meant by "debate" in the saying of Allah the Exalted: "And do not debate with the People of the Book"?
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The student: ...
The Shaykh : Yes, what is meant by it is the debate of contention intended to overpower the other, whereas the debate intended to establish the truth is obligatory, even as Allah the Exalted says in Surat al-Hajj:[Al-Baqarah 2:197] This is the debate that is for the purpose of contending with the foolish or without any benefit, whereas for establishing the truth, it is necessary. Yes. ... It is obligatory for the one who debates to establish the truth that his intention be to exalt the word of Allah.
The student : If it is mixed with any showing off, does it invalidate it?
The Shaykh : It invalidates it, but a person must guard against showing off, or by showing off one means to rise above this enemy who is debating with falsehood; there is nothing wrong with that.
The Shaykh : Yes, what is meant by it is the debate of contention intended to overpower the other, whereas the debate intended to establish the truth is obligatory, even as Allah the Exalted says in Surat al-Hajj:
no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing
فلا رفث ولا فسوق ولا جدالThe student : If it is mixed with any showing off, does it invalidate it?
The Shaykh : It invalidates it, but a person must guard against showing off, or by showing off one means to rise above this enemy who is debating with falsehood; there is nothing wrong with that.