(For MMNN \u2013 Myanmar Muslim News Network)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The famous saying \u2014 often quoted by both scholars and laymen \u2014 is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Ikhtil\u0101fu ummat\u012b ra\u1e25mah.”<\/strong> Although this particular saying has no authentic chain of narration<\/strong>, its meaning<\/strong> is in full harmony with the Qur\u2019an and authentic Sunnah.<\/strong> Islam never forbade healthy intellectual diversity; it only forbade arrogance, hatred, and division of hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Qur\u2019an itself praises those \u201cwho reflect\u201d and \u201cwho reason.\u201d Allah commands in Surah An-Nisa (4:83)<\/em> that matters should be referred to those \u201cwho can draw correct conclusions,\u201d which became the foundation of ijtihad<\/em> \u2014 independent reasoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Prophet \ufdfa also said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf a judge strives to make a decision and is correct, he will have two rewards; Hence, sincere intellectual effort \u2014 even when leading to differing opinions \u2014 is still rewarded<\/strong>. It shows that Islam values honest thought and intention more than mere uniformity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the Battle of the Trench, the Prophet \ufdfa instructed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNone of you should pray \u02bfAsr except at Banu Qurayzah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While travelling, some Companions prayed \u02bfAsr en route when the time arrived; others delayed it until reaching Banu Qurayzah. He accepted both interpretations \u2014 showing that the spirit of obedience and sincerity<\/em> mattered more than outward uniformity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This became one of the earliest and clearest proofs that difference in interpretation, done sincerely, is permissible<\/strong> and even blessed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Prophet \ufdfa said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Qur\u2019an was revealed in seven modes (ahruf); recite whichever is easiest for you.\u201d Different Arab tribes had varying dialects. Rather than impose one rigid pronunciation, Allah revealed flexibility to embrace all of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lesson: Unity is not sameness; it is harmony within diversity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the Companions \u2014 the purest generation \u2014 held different opinions on fiqh (jurisprudence) and practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet none condemned the other; they prayed together, loved each other, and worked for the same Ummah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imam Malik later said beautifully:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe differences among the Companions are like lights \u2014 whichever you follow, you are upon guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the great Imams \u2014 Abu Hanifah, Malik, al-Shafi\u2018i, Ahmad ibn Hanbal<\/strong> \u2014 developed their schools of thought, each used the Qur\u2019an and Sunnah but through slightly different methods of reasoning (usul al-fiqh<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their differences brought flexibility:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, their schools became a garden of wisdom<\/strong> \u2014 diverse flowers rooted in one soil: the Qur\u2019an and Sunnah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Prophet \ufdfa loved his Companions for their differing strengths:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe most merciful of my Ummah toward my Ummah is Abu Bakr; Different personalities, yet all beloved \u2014 proving that diversity in character and style<\/strong> is part of divine wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, Muslims face new kinds of divisions \u2014 between sects, schools, and even social attitudes. Some label others hastily as deviant<\/em> or misguided<\/em>, forgetting that respectful ikhtil\u0101f<\/em> was once a source of mercy, not hostility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While theological differences exist, mutual respect and truth-seeking dialogue are possible. Sufism focuses on purification of the heart (tazkiyah<\/em>), while Salafism emphasizes purity of creed and practice. Both seek closeness to Allah. The four Sunni madhhabs, and the Ja\u2019fari school among Shia, are not rivals but parallel paths to the same goal.<\/strong> \u201cTo show good manners in this place is dearer to me than to insist on my own opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If such giants humbled themselves before others\u2019 views, who are we to mock or condemn?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, we see Muslims divided over politics, reform, or modernity. Some focus on social activism, others on spiritual revival. \u201cWhoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; This means there are multiple valid approaches<\/strong> to serving Islam \u2014 activism, education, spirituality, or scholarship \u2014 all valuable if done sincerely and respectfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Islamic scholars from early times, like Imam al-Ghazali<\/strong> and Ibn Taymiyyah<\/strong>, wrote that disagreements must be guided by adab (ethics)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imam al-Shafi\u2018i said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have never debated anyone except that I wished Allah would show the truth through his tongue, not mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such humility is what we are missing today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our beloved Prophet \ufdfa taught that difference of sincere opinion, when guided by humility and good manners, is a mercy<\/strong> \u2014 not a curse. Let us revive that mercy today. For in the garden of Islam, flowers of many colors grow \u2014 By Dr. Ko Ko Gyi Abdul Rahman Zafrudin (For MMNN \u2013 Myanmar Muslim News Network) The Saying: \u201cDifferences Are a Mercy\u201d The famous saying \u2014 often quoted by both scholars and laymen \u2014 is: “Ikhtil\u0101fu ummat\u012b ra\u1e25mah.”(\u0627\u062e\u062a\u0644\u0627\u0641 \u0623\u0645\u062a\u064a \u0631\u062d\u0645\u0629)\u201cThe differences of opinion among my Ummah are a mercy.\u201d Although this particular saying has no authentic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,7,16,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-anti-racism","category-articles","category-opinion","category-world-muslims"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3776"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3778,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3776\/revisions\/3778"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Saying: \u201cDifferences Are a Mercy\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
(\u0627\u062e\u062a\u0644\u0627\u0641 \u0623\u0645\u062a\u064a \u0631\u062d\u0645\u0629)
\u201cThe differences of opinion among my Ummah are a mercy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
and if he strives and errs, he will have one reward.\u201d
\u2014 Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n1. The First Example: Banu Qurayzah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When they reported to the Prophet \ufdfa, he did not rebuke either group<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n2. Diversity in Qur\u2019anic Recitation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3. Differences Among the Companions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n4. The Four Schools of Fiqh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n5. The Prophet\u2019s \ufdfa Tolerance for Different Temperaments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
the most severe in Allah\u2019s cause is Umar;
the most modest is Uthman;
and the best judge among you is Ali.\u201d
\u2014 Sunan al-Tirmidhi<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Modern Meaning: How Ikhtil\u0101f<\/em> Can Heal Today\u2019s Ummah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Sunni\u2013Shia Divide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
History shows scholars like Allama al-Qurtubi<\/strong> and Shah Abdul Aziz<\/strong> encouraged reasoned engagement, not hatred.
If early Muslims could differ on fiqh yet still pray together, why can\u2019t we at least coexist and cooperate in justice, charity, and protection of the oppressed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n2. Sufi\u2013Salafi Tensions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Prophet \ufdfa\u2019s way combined outer correctness<\/strong> (sunnah<\/em>) and inner sincerity<\/strong> (ihsan<\/em>).
When either side forgets that the other\u2019s aim is to please Allah, misunderstanding grows. But when we unite both heart and law \u2014 the zahir<\/em> and batin<\/em> \u2014 Islam shines in full beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3. Madhhab Differences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Imam al-Shafi\u2018i once prayed using Imam Abu Hanifah\u2019s rulings out of respect when visiting his grave, saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n4. Modern Ideological Divides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
But the Prophet \ufdfa foretold this diversity \u2014 and left a guideline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
if he cannot, then with his tongue;
and if he cannot, then with his heart \u2014 and that is the weakest of faith.\u201d
\u2014 Sahih Muslim<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n5. The Ethics of Disagreement (Adab al-Ikhtil\u0101f<\/em>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
The Way Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
All Muslims share the Shahadah, love of the Prophet \ufdfa, the Qur\u2019an, and prayer. Let that be our foundation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Only Allah knows the hearts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A sincere scholar\u2019s disagreement should spark curiosity, not condemnation.<\/li>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From the time of the Companions to the present, Islam\u2019s intellectual diversity has been its strength, allowing it to blossom in every culture and century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let every debate begin with Bismillah<\/em>, and end with Wa \u02bfalaykum as-sal\u0101m<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
but all turn their faces toward the same Light.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"