Muslims' Attitude Toward Differences of Opinion

At the time of the prophet peace be upon him, there was a war between Muslims and Jews ( Banu Quraythah). The prophet instructed his companions to go and fight the enemy and he told them " Do not pray until you get to Banu Quraythah". On their way and when it was asr time, a dispute occurred between the companions. One group understood the prophet's order metaphorically .They thought the prophet meant 'hurry up'. So some of the companions prayed at asr time while the others prayed after asr time when they got to Banu Quraythah.

When the companions met the prophet peace be upon him again , they told him about what happened, and asked him which view was correct. Of course one of the two views must have been right but the prophet peace be upon him said " Whoever performs ijtihad ( interpretation) and errs will receive one reward. Whoever performs ijtihad and arrives at the correct answer gets double the reward."
This is a great example from the greatest prophet of how people can stay united even when they have different opinions.
In Islam, Muslims can have differences as long as these differences are not on definite matters. For instance, there is no difference of opinion on not performing prayer or not drinking alcohol. But differences on indefinite matters , those subject to ijtihad ( interpretation) , must be tolerated and respected. 

Unfortunately, Muslims today divide themselves over matters of ijtihad. What I see on websites, forums, blogs is shameful. Muslims labeling, insulting, name-calling each other for their differences of opinion.

Such Muslims are ignorant about their Islamic history. Stories of the prophets and companions of prophet Muhammad peace be upon him are filled with great examples of people with highly civilized behavior. What stops Muslims from following these examples?

And oh you might find the same Muslims who offend and insult others for their different opinions express their wishes and hopes for Muslims to be united :)

Making Someone Happy Makes You Happy

Even though our definition of happiness may not be the same, we know the feeling of being happy. Having a happy life and being happy is what we all seek. But how do we do that? How can we be happy?

There is a beautiful verse in the holy Quran that tells us how to be happy and have a happy life "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do." Quran 16:97

This is what happens when we do righteousness. We are happy and have a happy life. And this is what happens when we help people who need help.

Helping the poor, the needy, the homeless, or whoever needs our help brings happiness to the heart. There is nothing like the satisfaction that one feels when they see the joy that they have brought to the lives of others. Such unselfish work for the sake of Allah purifies the soul , softens the heart, and makes us share other people's joys. It also shows our love for one another. The greatest prophet peace be upon him said " No one truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. "

If you want to be happy, help those who need your help. Making someone happy makes you happy.

Prophet Muhammad's, peace be upon him, Last Sermon

This sermon was delivered on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' (in Mecca)


"O People, listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (riba), therefore all riba obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital , however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. God has judged that there shall be no riba and that all the riba due to `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith ibn `Abd al Muttalib.
O Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which God forbade, and to forbid that which God has made permissible. With God the months are twelve in number. Four of them are sacred, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha`ban. Beware of the devil, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is your right and they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste...
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God (The One Creator of the Universe), perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your financial obligation (zakah) of your wealth. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before God (The Creator) and you will answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I am leaving you with the Book of God (the QUR'AN*) and my Sunnah (the life style and the behavioral mode of the Prophet), if you follow them you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

Oneness of Man under One God

Islam is submitting and surrendering to one God (Allah). He is the Creator and the Owner of all that exits.“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only! Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him”. Quran 112: 1-4. This is what Muslims believe in. And believing and understanding the oneness of Allah leads to believing in and understanding the oneness of man that is we are all equal before Allah regardless of our differences in color, race, or nationality. “O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you” (Quran 49:13).
In His wisdom, Allah has made mankind into different peoples and tribes so that they may know one another, not so that they may despise one another. He tells us that our differences in color, language , and race are a sign of His greatness and power in creation. And to Him, all submit and surrender.This can be seen clearly in many aspects of Muslim societies. For example, in prayer, Muslims stand together before Allah without allocating any special place for a king, great man ,or scholar.In fasting, all people feel the same hunger with no favors shown to a ruler or rich man or noble.Also, in Hajj, Muslims of different colors, nationalities, and races wear the same clothes, stand in one place and do the same rituals. They are all one and worshipping one God.
Even when it comes to criminal laws, punishment is the same no matter who has committed the crime. It does not matter if it’s a king or even a weaver of clothes. They are all equal before the law.
A woman from the tribe makhzum committed theft at the time of the prophet peace be upon him and she was brought to him to be punished. This upset Quraish and they said ” who will intercede with us with the messenger of Allah so that she is spared the punishment?” Then they remembered that Usamah Bin zaid was dearly beloved by the messenger of Allah.. They spoke to him and asked that he intercede for that woman. So he spoke with the prophet but the prophet peace be upon him became very angry and said to him:Are you interceding concerning one of the haad punishments decreed by Allah?” Then he stood up and addressed the people , saying “Those who came before you were only destroyed because if a nobleman among them stole they would let him off but if one of the weak stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”
Some disagreement occurred between two companions of the prophet peace be upon him, Abu Dharr and Bilal. Abu Dharr said to Bilal, “You son of a black woman.” The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him was extremely upset by Abu Dharr’s comment, so he peace be upon him rebuked him by saying, “That is too much, Abu Dharr. He who has a white mother has no advantage which makes him better than the son of a black mother.” This rebuke had a profound effect on Abu Dharr, who then put his head on the ground swearing that he would not raise it until Bilal had put his foot over it.
Indeed, Islam is a religion of justice. It calls to worshipping one God without invoking anyone or anything besides Him.
“Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.He is Allâh, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. Quran 59: 23-24
.It’s understanding the oneness of God that leads to understanding the oneness of man.

I wrote the article based on  the chapter 'Human Tendency" from the book Civilization of Faith by Dr. As-sibaii