Living The Quran
From Issue: 549 [Read full issue]
DissensionAl-Rum (The Romans) Sura 30: Verses 31-32
"Turn to God and fear Him. Observe the prayer [salah] and do not be of those who take partners with God; those who broke up their religion and were split into sects, each being self-satisfied and complacent in their own beliefs."
A healthy human person would recognize God and be ever drawn towards Him. Even when distracted he would endeavour to return to the proper track. However, human beings are liable to be overcome by selfishness, dissension, and negligence and thrown off course. The Quran repeatedly calls on human beings to return to their pristine human nature.
Unbelief and associating partners with God may take many forms and patterns. Some unbelievers consider the jinn to be God's partners, others associate the angels, some their forefathers, while others take kings, rulers, priests, rabbis, trees, stones, planets, stars, the fire, night and day, false values, desires, and the like as partners with God. The forms and patterns are unending, yet each group is delighted with what they hold. Meanwhile, the true faith is one, unchanging and undivided.
Dissension is a human characteristic induced by the desire for self-expression and dominance, and is often associated with pride and complacency. It occurs among religious as well as secular communities and groups. It is a phenomenon known throughout human history, past and present. However, this should not be confused with differences and disagreements arising from the exercise of ijtihad by scholars, experts, and practitioners of Islamic law, or among the various schools of fiqh which have emerged within Islam.
Differences of interpretation should not necessarily lead to rancour and division. Those who adopt differing approaches and formulate divergent views on matters which are open to debate should be credited for their efforts, whether their conclusions are right or wrong. Taking such legitimate differences further by fuelling schisms, factionalism, and dissension can only lead to weakness and destruction.
Compiled From:
"A Thematic Commentary on the Quran" - Muhammad Al-Ghazali, pp. 437, 438
"In the Shade of the Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol. 13, p. 378