The sickness of bigotry is a dangerous intellectual and moral plague. It needs careful study to track its hidden causes and its subtle details that might not be visible on the surface, not to mention its deep effects on thought and action. In fact, it affects the rights of Muslims and even their correct understanding of the Sharīʿah of Allāh (Exalted is He).
Bigotry does not change with its different slogans; its reality is one. It is the same whether it is madhhab-based, group-based, tribal, national, ethnic, or any of the other colors of bigotry surging through social media platforms today. The slogans differ, but the disease is one: putting allegiance above the truth, and opinion above evidence.
The one who contemplates the manifestations of bigotry within the academic sphere stands amazed at the amount of ignorance this behavior reveals. How can it be imagined that bigotry is present in a field where the Face of Allāh (Exalted is He) is sought, and where His pleasure and acceptance are desired?! Knowledge that does not bring about honesty and fairness is knowledge that has not borne its fruit.
Today we see heated debates about issues over which the Companions themselves (may Allāh be pleased with them) differed. Then someone comes along trying to make these debatable issues a test with which to examine people and declare them innovators, as if they were certainties where disagreement is not allowed! This approach contradicts the spirit of the Sharīʿah and the methodology of the Salaf.
It is not permissible to be fanatically loyal to anyone except Allāh and His Messenger (peace be upon him), and to that which the Companions of the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) unanimously agreed upon. As for anything other than that, proof and evidence from the Book of Allāh and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace be upon him) are necessary. Regarding what has valid, recognized disagreement among the people of knowledge, part of academic integrity—which has become rare today—is to mention it and make it known to people.
How ugly is the alleged “Sharʿī grounding” that gathers from the texts only what supports the statement of one’s shaykh or madhhab, even if it is weak and does not reach the level of certainty, while then ignoring and hiding every valid opinion that contradicts it, even if it is strong. The least of honesty and fairness is to acknowledge the existence of a valid opposing opinion.
As for being fanatically loyal to the statements of men, giving precedence to opinions over the texts, and championing a madhhab, a shaykh, or a group without considering the evidence—that is one of the causes of deviation from the great prophetic methodology.
And Imām Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: “Perhaps we may say something, and then later see something else after it.” And it was said to him: “They write down your opinion?” So he said: “They write what I might possibly retract tomorrow.” (Jāmiʿ Bayān al-ʿIlm wa Fadlihī 1/775)
This is the understanding of the deeply rooted scholar: humility before the truth, readiness to return to it whenever it appears, and possessing breadth and forbearance, in accordance with the breadth and forbearance of the Sharīʿah. The Companions (may Allāh be pleased with them) debated one another in scholarly issues, and we did not see the ignorant tribalism we see today—the bitterness and tension! It certainly has its severe repercussions, while the bigots, following their whims, think they are doing good.
Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: “And the lands of the East—among the reasons Allāh gave the Tatars sway over them—were the abundance of division and strife in madhhabs and other matters. So much so that you find the one affiliated with al-Shāfiʿī being fanatical for his madhhab against the madhhab of Abū Hanīfah, to the point of leaving the dīn. And the one affiliated with Abū Hanīfah is fanatical for his madhhab against the madhhab of al-Shāfiʿī and others, to the point of leaving the dīn. And the one affiliated with Ahmad is fanatical for his madhhab against the madhhab of this one or that one. And in the West, you find the one affiliated with Mālik being fanatical for his madhhab against this one or that one. All of this is part of the division and disagreement that Allāh and His Messenger have forbidden. All of these bigots of falsehood, who follow conjecture and what their souls desire, who follow their whims without guidance from Allāh, deserve blame and punishment.” (Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā [22/ 252-254])
So how would he react if he saw what bigotry has led to in our time!
And Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: “It is not for anyone to champion himself, or to be fanatical for his madhhab, his associates, the people of his land, or any of the categories for which loyalty and enmity are given—except for Allāh and His Messenger. So his loyalty should be for Allāh and His Messenger, and the knowledge of that comes from the Book and the Sunnah.” [ Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā – 3/348 ]
This requires sincerity, truthfulness, taqwā, uprightness, caution, and fear of Allāh (Glorified and Exalted is He) alone, without any partner. And it requires keeping in mind the true purpose of knowledge.
Sufyān ibn ʿUyaynah (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: “Whoever seeks knowledge has given the pledge of allegiance to Allāh (Mighty and Majestic is He).” Miftāh Dār al-Saʿādah (70/1)
My advice to everyone who hopes for divine openings in the field of chivalry in knowledge is to break the shackles of bigotry. And to make their loyalty to the truth, wherever it may be, being fanatically loyal to Allāh and His Messenger (peace be upon him). As for anything other than that, its place is for research and proper conduct, not for fraud, deception, and argumentation based on the whims of the soul.
This dīn was brought by the Seal of the Prophets for all of humanity, for every time and place. It is far greater and more magnificent to be reduced and framed to fit the measures of whims and opinions.
So be upright as you were commanded, and do not accept statements in the dīn of Allāh (Exalted is He) without valid, Sharʿī evidence.
And Allāh is the Granter of success and the Guide to the straight path.
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Dr. Layla Hamdan al-Filastīniyyah