The Ruling on Prolonged Disputes
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Question:
The last question in this questioner’s letter, in which he did not mention his name, says: If a person is in a dispute with another person, and this dispute may last for a long period, is there a sin on him for that, knowing that it is better to leave some people than to speak with them? Please guide us in this matter.
Answer:
Disputes are subject to detailed consideration: If the dispute is justified, meaning there is a dispute between them regarding claims in which he believes he is correct, then there is no blame on him if he disputes with him. For example, he says: “He delayed paying my right. He owes me a debt and delayed it, and he is wealthy.” He disputes with him because he sold him goods and did not give them to him, or because he hit him, or because he insulted him, or because he took his money, and so on. In other words, if he disputes with him with justice, he must be fair, he must fear Allah, and he must dispute with him with justice without oppression, seeking his right without oppression toward him. He seeks his right in the court or with the good brothers who reconcile between them, and there is no blame on him in that. However, if he disputes with him without right, knowing that he is in the wrong, then this is an evil and he is in danger in that, because he is harming his brother without right.
It is obligatory for the Muslim not to dispute except with right. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 2668. Therefore, disputing without right is harm and oppression. However, if he disputes with right, knowing that he is in the right, and that this man took his money or delayed his right while he is wealthy, or killed his son or killed his brother, or other such rights, then there is no harm in him demanding his right. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Bulugh al-Maram 1423. Yes.
The presenter: Thank you, Your Eminence the Shaykh, may Allah reward you, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge and benefit the Muslims with you.
The last question in this questioner’s letter, in which he did not mention his name, says: If a person is in a dispute with another person, and this dispute may last for a long period, is there a sin on him for that, knowing that it is better to leave some people than to speak with them? Please guide us in this matter.
Answer:
Disputes are subject to detailed consideration: If the dispute is justified, meaning there is a dispute between them regarding claims in which he believes he is correct, then there is no blame on him if he disputes with him. For example, he says: “He delayed paying my right. He owes me a debt and delayed it, and he is wealthy.” He disputes with him because he sold him goods and did not give them to him, or because he hit him, or because he insulted him, or because he took his money, and so on. In other words, if he disputes with him with justice, he must be fair, he must fear Allah, and he must dispute with him with justice without oppression, seeking his right without oppression toward him. He seeks his right in the court or with the good brothers who reconcile between them, and there is no blame on him in that. However, if he disputes with him without right, knowing that he is in the wrong, then this is an evil and he is in danger in that, because he is harming his brother without right.
It is obligatory for the Muslim not to dispute except with right. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The most despicable amongst persons in the eye of Allah is one who tries to fall into dispute with others
أبغض الرجال إلى الله الألد الخصمNarrated Ibn 'Abbas (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "If people were given whatever they claimed (in disputes), some people would claim the lives and wealth of others; but the oath (of denial) must be taken by the defendant." [Agreed upon]. al-Baihaqi has reported with a Sahih (authentic) chain of narrators: "But the proof (Bayyinah) lies on the one who is making the claim, and the other (Yamin) must be taken by the one who rejects the claim."
لو يعطى الناس بدعواهم لادعى ناس دماء رجال وأموالهم ولكن البينة على المدعي واليمين على من أنكرThe presenter: Thank you, Your Eminence the Shaykh, may Allah reward you, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge and benefit the Muslims with you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.