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Is it true that the Sahaba also differed on certain matters at times & interpreted things differently? If this is true can you please make a list of examples of this & how they would come to a conclusion
Did the Sahaba have differences of opinion?
- Thread starter Servant of Allah
- Start date
Yes, the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم sometimes differed in matters of ijtihad and in interpreting texts. These differences were natural, and they handled them with sincerity, humility, and reference to revelation. Their disagreements never led to enmity, sectarianism, or following desires.
Allah praised them despite these differences:
Differences in ijtihad do not contradict their virtue.
1. Difference in understanding the command to pray Asr at Banu Quraydhah
The Prophet ﷺ said:
Two interpretations occurred:
- Group A: Took the command literally and delayed Asr until they reached Banu Quraydhah even though the time had ended.
- Group B: Understood the command as an encouragement to hurry, so they prayed Asr on the way.
How the Prophet ﷺ resolved it
He did not rebuke either group, showing that both approaches were valid ijtihad when dealing with textual interpretation.
2. Difference in inheritance laws regarding the grandfather and siblings
Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali, Ibn Abbas and others differed regarding how much the grandfather gets when siblings are present.
How they resolved it
- Using ijtihad based on Quran and Sunnah,
- Searching for precedents,
- Discussing linguistic meanings and qiyās,
- Finally, the Caliph's ruling was acted upon for unity, even if scholars still held differing opinions.
This is a famous example of fiqh ijtihad among the Sahaba.
3. Difference on whether the Prophet ﷺ saw his Lord during Isra and Mi'raj
- Aisha رضي الله عنها: Denied that he saw Allah.
She quoted:
- Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما: Affirmed that he saw Allah with his heart.
How they resolved it
This was a matter of ghayb and interpretation of transmitted reports.
Both positions remained, with no hostility, because:
- The matter had no impact on rulings,
- No explicit text resolved it definitively.
Scholars explain that Ibn Abbas meant seeing with the heart; Aisha meant not seeing with the eyes. Both are reconcilable.
4. Difference in the ruling of the woman whose husband died but marriage was not consummated
The case of Barwa bint Washīq.
Sahaba differed:
- Some said she gets no inheritance since the marriage was not consummated.
- Others said she does inherit because the contract existed.
How it was resolved
The matter was taken to Ibn Mas'ud, who ruled that she does inherit, and he based it on a similar precedent.
This ruling was accepted and became a strong evidence in fiqh.
5. Difference in wiping over leather socks (khuff) versus normal socks (jawrab)
Some Sahaba permitted wiping over regular socks (jawrab), such as:
- Ali
- Ibn Umar
- Ibn Abbas
- Anas
Others preferred only leather socks.
How they handled it
They referred to:
- Authentic narrations,
- Practice of the Prophet ﷺ,
- Practice of leading companions.
There was no division, as the matter was a legitimate area of ijtihad.
1.
This was the first principle in all disputes.
2.
When no clear text existed, they reasoned carefully, fearing to speak without knowledge.
3.
They did not accuse each other or cause division over differences in:
- Legal reasoning
- Linguistic interpretation
- Absence of explicit evidence
4.
In judicial and political matters, the ruling of the caliph ended disputes to maintain unity.
5.
Even when disagreeing, they upheld:
- Manners
- Brotherhood
- Respect for knowledge
This is the Salafi approach to differences.
Yes, the Sahaba differed on some issues, but their differences were:
- rooted in sincere ijtihad,
- handled with wisdom,
- always resolved by returning to revelation,
- never allowed to cause division.
Their example teaches us the correct Salafi method for understanding and dealing with scholarly differences today.
