al_etidaal_gn

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said:
“Keep people in their proper ranks of respect.”
It is most unfortunate that in most things nowadays we swerve from the path of justice
and resort to excesses.
Now, even if I do accept that the differences in opinion between these two holy men are
of a serious nature, then it should be borne in mind that according to the Ulema the
differences of the elders is not something which lowers their dignity and not against the
Shariat. And furthermore, when there is any difference among the Ulema, then to the
same degree that these differences will be, so strong will be the arguments on both sides.
The deeper the differences, the more forceful the type of argument they will bring forth.
For example: If one Imam considers something to be compulsory while another considers
it as being prohibited, then the arguments (on both sides) will indeed be very strong and
forceful. Similarly if one Imam considers something to be Waajib (obligatory) and
another looks upon it as Makrooh Tahrimi (extremely abominable) then the arguments
(on both sides) will also be quite strong arRd forceful and even harsh in nature. It is this
which had caused even the Sahabah (Radiallahu anhu) to come to blows on the field of
battle. According to Abu Dawood, one Sahabi (Radiallahu anhu) is reported to have said
Witr Salaat is Waajib. To this another Sahabi (Radiallahu anhu), whose researches
brought him to a different conclusion said: “He lies”. On this point the Ulema had
reinterpreted the words of this Sahabi (Radiallahu anhu) in view of the fact that
outwardly it would appear to be an attack on the integrity of a Sahabi (Radiallahu anhu).
Although we translate his words more lightly, it will still remain that this is the word-forword
literal translation of what was said. However it is our duty that when in any matter
of truth such words are uttered, which appear rather harsh, we should translate it with
care so that one appear to be attacked. There are numerous examples of this in Hadeeth
literature. These Sahabah (Radiallahu anhu) are excused for their occasional (seemingly)
harsh words because Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said:
“Listen! Fear of people should never ever prohibit a man from speaking the truth when
he knows it.” (i.e. the truth)
While Sayyidina Abu Sa’eed (Radiallahu anhu) reported this Hadeeth, he started to weep
and said:
“We have seen many things and the fear of people had prohibited us from speaking.”
Furthermore there is another Hadeeth:
“Whomsoever from amongst you should see any evil being committed, he should stop it
with his hand. And if he is unable to do so, he should then stop it with his tongue, and if
he is unable to do so, then wich his heart. And this (latter) is the weakest degree of faith.”
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 12