Putting an End to Polemics
Al-Risala (English), January 1989, p. 11
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Putting an End to Polemics
1989 1 January 11-12 Putting an End to Polemics (714) Remember, there is no quarrel that cannot be terminated. The only condition is that one of the two parties involved in the quarrel should take positive steps to bring it to and end.
God’s instruction to His Prophet to avoid becoming embroiled in polemical discussions with those he is calling to the path of God are contained in the following three verses of the chapter of the Quran entitled ‘Pilgrimage’:
“For every nation we have ordained a ritual which they observe. Let them not dispute with you concerning this. Call them to the path of your Lord: surely you are rightly guided. If they argue with you, say: ‘Allah knows best all that you do. On the Day of Resurrection, He will judge all your disputes.” (Quran, 22:67-69)
These verses were revealed after the Muslims were taunted by certain idolators of Mecca, who said to them: “Why is it that you partake of the flesh of those animals which you have slaughtered, while you refrain from eating carrion flesh, which after all is the flesh of animals which have been killed by God?”
When the Prophet came to Arabia, its people were not irreligious, in the generally accepted sense of the term, for they had the religion which they had constructed for themselves around the hallowed name of their forefathers, Abraham and Ishmael. This they felt was under threat from the teachings of Mohammad, may peace be upon him. For instance, according to their conventional religion, carrion-flesh was lawful, while it was prohibited in the religion taught by the Prophet, whom they accused of forsaking the path of their forefathers and forging a new path in religion.
In these verses of the Quran, the Prophet is instructed not to become entangled in controversial issues of this nature. People may come to him, seeking to involve him in superficial discussions, but he should avoid the subject and press on with his task of calling people to the path of the Lord. In calling anyone to God, one should always lay stress on the fundamental tenets of religion. Discussions relating to controversial points of dogma are to be avoided.
The words of the Quran, ‘Let them not dispute with you concerning this,’ being a third person imperative would seem to be addressed to those who sought to involve the Prophet in disputes, but in fact it is the Prophet and his followers who are being addressed. It is they who are to take precautions on their own part to ensure that no dispute should arise. This meaning has been clarified by numerous commentators of the Quran, one of whom, Zujjaj, writes that this form of address is used to settle a dispute between two parties. “No dispute or quarrel can be conducted unless there are two parties involved. When one party retires from the field the dispute will automatically come to an end.” (Tafseer al-Mazhari, Vol. VI, p. 346)
Clearly, the meaning of this verse is that these two activities calling people to the path of God on the one hand, and entering into disputes on the other – cannot be combined. One who wishes to communicate the message of truth must avoid becoming involved in disputes with those to whom his message is addressed.
If an atmosphere of wrangling and dispute prevails between those who are preaching the word of God and their congregation, then the latter will be prevented from considering with an open mind the merits of what they hear. For this reason, the first responsibility of one who sets out to call mankind to the path of truth is unilaterally to end all disputes between himself and his congregation. This will require what the Quran calls “Patience and avoidance” on his part, so as to create an atmosphere conducive to objective appraisal of the message he is attempting to convey.
Remember, there is no quarrel that cannot be terminated. The only condition is that one of the two parties involved in the quarrel should take positive steps to bring it to an end.
When disposed to reject the truth, one must remember that a day will come when everyone shall have to accept truth and falsehood for what they are. One should willingly accept today what one will be forced to accept tomorrow.
