Adapted from the book "Islam-e-Mustafa ﷺ" by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi❖ Islam: The Complete Solution for Humanity
The religion brought by the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a comprehensive solution to all spiritual, worldly, economic, social, and political challenges of humanity. Allah ﷻ commands:﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً...﴾
[Al-Baqarah: 208]
🕊 This verse mandates that believers enter Islam completely, accepting all its teachings, not selectively based on desires.
❖ Every Judgment Must Align with Islam
True faith necessitates that all disputes be referred to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ:﴿فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ...﴾
[An-Nisa: 59]
“If you differ in anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day.”This means referring matters to the Qur’an and Sunnah. Rejecting these sources in disputes contradicts true faith.
❖ The Prophet's Companions (Sahaba) and Conflict Resolution
The Sahaba demonstrated how differences must be resolved through divine guidance:☑ After the Prophet ﷺ’s death, some believed he was still alive. Abu Bakr رضی الله عنه recited the verse from Aal-Imran, clarifying the truth.
☑ When differing about his burial place, Abu Bakr recalled a Hadith:
“A Prophet is buried where he dies.”
[Sunan Tirmidhi: 1018]
☑ Leadership dispute after his death was settled based on the Hadith:
“The leaders must be from Quraysh.”
❖ Ijtihad and Rewards in Differences
Islam allows scholarly ijtihad (independent reasoning) within set parameters:- If correct, the Mujtahid receives double reward.
- If incorrect, he still receives a single reward for effort.
The Sahaba, Tabi‘un, and Imams always prioritized the closest view to Qur’an and Sunnah, not personal biases.
❖ Attitude of the Salaf Toward Disagreements
Imam Abu Hanifah said:“If a Hadith is found from the Prophet ﷺ, it is above all. If from the Companions, we choose among their views. For Tabi‘un, we exercise ijtihad like them.”
Imam Malik remarked:“Should we abandon revelation brought by Jibreel to Muhammad ﷺ for the words of disputants?”
Imam Ahmad chose the closest view to the Qur’an and Sunnah and avoided speculative opinions.
Reference: Al-Madkhal ila as-Sunan, Al-Hilyah, Ar-Risalah, I‘lam al-Muwaqqi‘in❖ Unity in Disputes: Qur’an & Sunnah as the Final Word
The Qur’an declares:﴿وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ﴾
[Ash-Shura: 10]
“Whatever you differ in, its judgment belongs to Allah.”
Al-Shawkani explains: Any issue mocked or challenged must be resolved through divine revelation, not personal reasoning.❖ Real-Life Example: Dispute About Prophet’s Death
Sahih al-Bukhari narrates:When the Prophet ﷺ passed away, Umar رضی الله عنه denied his death. Abu Bakr رضی الله عنه recited:
﴿وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ...﴾
[Aal-Imran: 144]
Umar collapsed in realization, affirming the importance of reverting to Qur’an in disputes.
❖ No Room for Desires in Religion
True submission requires abandoning desires:﴿فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ...﴾
[An-Nisa: 65]
🛡 Imam Ibn Kathir writes: No opinion or interpretation holds weight against the clear ruling of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
❖ Humility of the Sahaba in Disputes
Ibn Abbas corrected Muawiyah رضی الله عنه for making tawaf of all four corners of the Ka‘bah, quoting:﴿لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ﴾
[Al-Ahzab: 21]
☑ Muawiyah responded humbly: “You have spoken the truth.”
❖ No Partisanship Among Early Generations
The Sahaba, Tabi‘un, and early Imams:- Never prioritized loyalty to personalities.
- Always favored divine proof.
- Rejected blind following when it contradicted evidence.
Ibn al-Qayyim: The truth was sacred to them—above all affiliations or influences.(I‘lam al-Muwaqqi‘in)
