Al Momin

In the Name of Allah, most Compassionate, most Merciful

In the view of Quran and Sunnah, the difference among Muslims is something which leads them astray and in hellfire.

Quran 19:37. Then the groups differed, so woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of a great Day.

Yet there are some types of difference which did occur among Sahabas and as Prophet (S) stated that "Difference of Opinion in my Ummah is blessing." So from this, how can a person know what difference is the destruction and what difference is blessing?

The answer is simple for the difference of opinion that causes destruction.

Quran 33:36. It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any opinion in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.1 Narrated by Anas bin Malik
"...He who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers)."

Now what kind of differences or the difference of opinion is allowed in Islam? The answer is just as clear and simple as the above. The difference of opinion happens when an exception occurs and two different Islamic legislation apply at the same time causing confusion. The second kind of difference of opinion occur when there is a lack of knowledge in a matter. The second can be though of an extension of the first. Besides this, we find no evidences from Quran and Sunnah concerning a healthy difference. Now to give evidences of these two in order.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.445 Narrated by Ibn Umar
On the day of Al-Ahzab the Prophet said, "None of you Muslims should offer the 'Asr prayer but at Banu Quraiza's place." The 'Asr prayer became due while on their way. Some of the Sahabas said, "We will not offer it till we reach it, the place of Banu Quraiza," while some others said, "No, we will pray at this spot (not to miss the time), for the Prophet did not mean that for us." Later on it was mentioned to the Prophet and he did not berate any of the two groups.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.582 Narrated by Abdullah
That he heard a man reciting a Quranic Verse which he had heard the Prophet reciting in a different way. So he took that man to the Prophet (and told him the story). The Prophet said, "Both of you are reciting in a correct way, so carry on reciting." The Prophet further added, "The nations which were before you were destroyed (by Allah) because they differed."

Now we see that our Ummah has fallen into destruction over difference of opinions, specially through the school of thoughts. Muslims are being destroyed all over the world as from the above hadith. Much worse, we now have many sects because of it including Salafi, Hanafi, Shia as to name a few. They put difference of opinion in every matter from Quran to Sunnah to the Shariah. They do not take heed when Prophet (S) and a pious khaleefah said the following things.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.580 Narrated by Abdullah
The Prophet said, "Recite (study) the Qur'an as long as you agree about its interpretation, but if you have any difference of opinion (as regards to its interpretation and meaning) then you should stop reciting it."

Stop reciting here means, don't interpret the portion you don't have knowledge upon. So this instruction is for scholars as well, when they don't have knowledge! So even for Quran Prophet (s) gave strict instructions in terms of not to differ!

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.98 Narrated by Abu Huraira
And 'Umar bin 'Abdul 'Aziz wrote to Abu Bakr bin Hazm, "Look for the knowledge of Hadith and get it written, as I am afraid that religious knowledge will vanish and the religious learned men will pass away (people with knowledge of Hadith). Do not accept anything save the Hadiths of the Prophet. Circulate knowledge and teach the ignorant, for knowledge does not vanish except when it is kept secretly (to oneself)."

Here Umar bin AbdulAziz is requiring that difference of opinion should never come into existence when Quran and Hadith is there to guide for everything. We should hold on tight to the clear ayah of Quran and clear hadith and leave the rest because these two are the only source of facts and legislation for the Muslims. If we loose knowledge pertaining these things, we loose too much.

We see the Muslims today and in the past and their scholars (including many classical scholars) falling in the destructive fitnah of causing opinions when Allah and Rasool (S) forbid them. They cause difference of opinion in something which is clear from Quran and Sunnah but dropping it, or following a doubtful matter, or taking weak evidences and dropping the strong, or understanding a Sahih hadith differently from their own understanding yet differing from the sunnah, trivial matters etc. All these are haram to differ upon. Just as one example, a major scholar, Sufyan at-thauri refused to say Salam to Imam Abu Hanifah for a unelaborated sentence Imam Abu Hanifah made.

Now let me give you an example of one major issue which has devested the honor of this ummah and caused by the scholars' difference of opinions (the scholar who differed from the sunnah). The scholars in the past who differ and say that covering the face is not obligatory part of hijab. They not only differ from Rasool (s) and the sahabas, they also challenge Allah's book. Those scholars fall into the category of hypocrisy. Instead of they looking at the strict definition of hijab in Quran and becoming very strict about it (matter of Ghairah). They relax in the issue. Secondly, they don't even heed from what the Prophet's (S) wives and daughters and the emigrant and helper women use to do. Instead they rely on weak evidences or evidences which has nothing to do with the topic.

So the way to prevent the destruction of this ummah and causing unity among people and following the straight path; a few general rules need to be observed. Firstly, what is clear knowledge from Quran and Hadith should be implemented. If not found, Ijtihad, a religious verdict related to Quran and Sunnah and what the heart agrees upon should be observed. And all minor sins or sins done from lack of knowledge are forgiven! How much easy can Allah make this religion? The Scholars should teach people as much of Quran and Hadith, and keep as much mouth shut when they lack knowledge in a matter and that is the Sunnah.