Returning to The Qur'aan and Sunnah When There is Disagreement

BismillaahirRahmaanirRaheem


From Sh Fawzaan's explanation of Sharh-us-Sunnah:

His saying, “And disputation about it is disbelief.”[1] Disputing about the Qur·aan, whether it is something created or whether it is something not created or a person having doubts and saying, “I don’t know, there is disagreement about this matter,” as people say now.  So a manifestation has now appeared where they say, “The matter is khilaafiyyah/there is disagreement about this matter”.  So we say: When there is disagreement, then what is to be followed is the daleel (the proof).  We were not given the duty in the Religion of having to follow the disagreements of the people and sayings of the people.  We have being given the duty in the Religion of following the proof.  So when there is disagreement we test the disagreement against the proof.  And whatever that is found to be supported by the proof, then it is the Truth.  And whatever is contrary to the proof, then it is false.  And Allaah did not abandon us to opinions and sayings and disagreements.  Rather He said:

فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ 

(Explanation)

So if you disagree in anything, then refer it back to Allaah and to the Messenger.

(Sooratun-Nisaa· (4), aayah 59)

وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ 
(Explanation)

And whatever you disagree about, then its judgement is to be referred back to Allaah.  That is Allaah my Lord.  Upon Him I place my reliance and to Him I turn constantly. 

(Sooratush-Shooraa (42), aayah 10)

So it is obligatory to refer back to the Book of Allaah and to the Sunnah of His Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam.  And whatever is supported by proof is to be taken, and whatever is contrary to the proof is to be left.  And as for the person who takes a saying which conforms to his desires or his whims, even if it goes against the proof, then he is one who is astray; and this one is worshipping his own desires.  As for the person who is worshipping Allaah, then he takes that which is supported by the proof from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam. 


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[1] Translator’s side point: There is a hadeeth which directly states it reported by Aboo Daawood as hadeeth 4603 declared hasan saheeh, good authentic, by Shaykh al-Albaanee from Aboo Hurayrah, from the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam, that he said: “Disputation about the Qur·aan is disbelief.”  


Ithaaful-Qaaree bit-Ta`leeqaat `alaa Sharhis-Sunnah
by Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan hafizahullaah
Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood Burbank, rahimahullaah.