Causes Of Splitting And Their Solutions

As'Salâm Alaikum Wa'Rahmatullâhi Wa'Barakâtuh

Causes Of Splitting And Their Solutions

By: Ash Shaykh Ibraheem ibn ‘Aamir ar Ruhaylee
Source: Taken from: Anasalafi.net (while it was online)
Translated By: Abu Yahyaa, Mu’aawiyah TuckerTaken From: http://www.madeenah.com/

Oh Ahl-us Sunnah! Do you know what increases splitting and widens the differing between us?

1. Blameworthy Ta’assub (stuborness / obstinacy): This is the obstinacy of some people to another group due to desires; either because of hateful tribalism that goes back to partisanship to a race or group of people, or due to a worldly benefit, or due to the hatred of the conflicting side. So because of this it is Waajib for a student of knowledge to become independant, to do his actions for Allaah’s Face (sincerely) and not look at other people, at their position or their level, because ‘the truth is not known by the men, rather men are known by the truth.’ So the truth has to be aided as well the one who speaks the truth, even if he is inferior.
   
   
2. Striving to spread Kalaam (gossip): Spreading Kalaam between the people, especially in issues of differing is from the things that widen those differences, and you all know that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) forbade gossip (Qeel wa Qaal) and asking too many questions. “So and so said this, and so and so said that, such and such was said about so and so and such and such was reported from so and so” and then striving in doing that and spending a lot of time in that Kalaam. This reason contributes the most to the hardening of the heart and increases differing and causes hatred and bitter feelings and enmity between brothers in Islaam, so it is upon the student of knowledge to be in abstinence with his tongue, and to not transmit Kalaam too much and not talk too much without benefit.
   
   
3. Ignorance, may Allaah destroy it: Some people go back and forth between those who have differences between then, it may be the reason for that is due to ignorance, either ignorance about the truth or ignorance about its people. As for ignorance of the truth then that is when one does not know who the truth is with. For example, if two people or two groups have a difference between then, then a person comes along and does not know the truth in this issue, nor does he know the correct opinion in regards to the issue that they differ in, so he ends up helping falsehood.
   As for not knowing the people of the truth, then the meaning of this is that a person knows the truth, and knows the proofs for it but he is ignorant of the position that a certain person holds, so some students come and say: “So and so said this and so and so said that.” A scholar gives his opinion according to that which was reported to him. So it is necessary for the one who reports differences between the people to be trustworthy in what he transmits. It is not for the people to interpret [what was said to mean] something else that was not intended, nor report things were never said, nor report the implications of a certain opinion. They should only transmit the differing exactly like it is. So not knowing the people of truth does not harm the scholars nor does it serve as a criticism of them.

As for the means of reconciliation:

1. A correct truthful intention of reconciliation between people: Allaah said about two male arbitrators between a man and his wife

   {If they both wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation}

   So if this is with regards to reconciliation between a man and his wife, then how about one who strives to make reconciliation between people, between Muslims. So a truthful and correct intention in this is what lifts differences.
   
   
2. Making Du’aa for our brothers: Making Du’aa for our brothers and being sincere in our Du’aa that Allaah removes the differing, rectify and bring together their hearts upon Birr and Taqwaa.
   
   
3. Giving advise to the one who is wrong: We say to him; “You made a mistake.” and incite and encourage him to be upon the truth; “You made a mistake and you should return to the truth.”, and this is for those who are able to give the advise, but as for the one who is not able then he is not obliged with this responsibility.
   
4. Give advise to the one who is correct: As for the one who is correct, then our advise to him is to encourage him upon patience and we would say to him; “Support your brother and those from Ahl-us Sunnah, and their differences with you does not mean that they hate you, and does not mean that the they don’t want the truth, but they made a mistake. The companions of the Messenger of Allaah ( رضي الله عنهم) used to have differences in issues which caused problems in their time, and everyone used to say to his companion, “We are not superior to you in Eemaan nor in Taqwaah”, and ‘Alee (رضي الله عنه) the best person that was left after ‘Uthmaan used to say, “We are not superior to our brothers in Eemaan nor Taqwaah” with the fact that he was the best of them.

Wa' Jazâkum Allâhu Khairan

Imâm Mâlik (Rahimahullâh) Said, "The Sunnah Is Like The Ark Of Noah. Whoever Embarks Upon It Reaches Salvation And Whoever Refuses Is Drowned