THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF DEBATING IN ISLAM

Angebote / Angebote:

The main objectives of a debate are the substantiation of the truth, with proof and refutation of doubts and fallacious statements and propositions. It follows that debate should be held, with the sincere cooperation of the debaters, to unveil the truth and state this to one's partner correctly. A participant ought to work towards revealing to his partner what the latter fails to perceive, and to follow the correct methods of inference in order to arrive at truth. Al-Hafiz Al- Dhahabi says, in this connection: "A debate is only justified to unveil the truth, so that the more knowledgeable should impart knowledge to the less knowledgeable, to stimulate a weaker intellect."2 These are the original objectives that are so clear and plain. Besides the main objectives, there are secondary or supportive objectives of debate. Some of these objectives are listed below: A general preliminary objective is getting acquainted with the other party's or parties' point of view. 2 See Al-Jirjani, Ta'rifat, under "Jadal", and Al-Misbah Al- Muneer, " under 'Hiwar' and 'Jadal'. 9 Reaching a compromise that satisfies all the parties concerned, for it is an important primary objective. Investigating, broad-mindedly, and bringing into play diverse approaches and conceptualizations, with a view of ensuring better and more feasible results, even for later debates. DIFFERENCES AMONG PEOPLE IS A FACT It is natural that differences will always exist among people, everywhere and at all times. There has always been diversity of color, language, customs, concepts, intellect and degrees of knowledge. This is a sign of Allah's omnipotence, as the following verse from the Holy Qur'an states {And among His signs is this, the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours: verily in that are signs for men of sound knowledge.} (Q.30/ 22) These external variations reflect internal variations: of opinions, attitudes and objectives. This also is mentioned in several places in the Holy Qur'an. Here is an example: 10 {And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah [nation or community (following one religion i.e. Islam)], but they will not cease to disagree * Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy (the follower of truth - Islamic Monotheism) and for that did He create them.} (Q. 11/ 118-119) Al-Fakhr Al-Razi comments saying, "This verse indicates the diversity in people's creeds, moral standards and behavior." I would like to elaborate the above verse by saying that had Allah so willed, all humans would have embraced one religion by instinct and original creation (Arabic: Al-Fitrah). But in this case, they would cease to be human, in the way that we know them, their social life would be something similar to that of bees or ants, and in spirit they would be like angels, who are disposed by their creation to embrace truth and obey all that they are commanded to by Allah. There would be no room for conflict or disagreement among them. But Allah, in His Wisdom, has chosen to create humans otherwise. They have to acquire knowledge rather than have it as an inspired ability. They have the volition to choose what to do and to consider different