Ikhtelaaf and Khilaaf

Ikhtelaaf(Differences) & Ikhtelaaf(Differences) & Khilaaf (Conflict) in Jama’ahKhilaaf (Conflict) in Jama’ah

Role of Islamic workersRole of Islamic workers

DefinitionDefinition

IkhtelafIkhtelaf- - It represents a justifiable It represents a justifiable difference of opinion and includes exertion difference of opinion and includes exertion of sincere intellectual effort to arrive at a of sincere intellectual effort to arrive at a judgment or decision. It represents an judgment or decision. It represents an objective methodology objective methodology

Two conditions for legitimate Two conditions for legitimate difference of opiniondifference of opinion

Each disputant must have evidence or Each disputant must have evidence or proof (proof (dalil) dalil) to authenticate his argument. to authenticate his argument. Failure to provide such evidence would Failure to provide such evidence would invalidate an argument.invalidate an argument.

Divergent opinion should not lead to Divergent opinion should not lead to anything preposterous or false.anything preposterous or false.

Khilaf or ConflictKhilaf or Conflict

Khilaf or Khilaf or Conflict- Conflict- It represents dispute It represents dispute which departs from one or both conditions which departs from one or both conditions mentioned above. It is a manifestation of mentioned above. It is a manifestation of impulsiveness and obstinacy. It has no impulsiveness and obstinacy. It has no relation to objectivity. relation to objectivity.

Reasons for genuine Ikhtelaf or Reasons for genuine Ikhtelaf or difference of opiniondifference of opinion

There are natural differences in There are natural differences in intelligence, understanding, analytical intelligence, understanding, analytical capacity, wisdom and experience in capacity, wisdom and experience in people.people.

Genuine desire and effort to ascertain Genuine desire and effort to ascertain the truth through investigation and the truth through investigation and discover the purpose of the Lawgiverdiscover the purpose of the Lawgiver

Reasons for genuine Ikhtelaf or Reasons for genuine Ikhtelaf or difference of opiniondifference of opinion

Interpretation of the language and its Interpretation of the language and its meaningmeaning

Differences over HadithDifferences over Hadith

Differences over Juristic Methods (Differences over Juristic Methods (Usul Usul al Fiqh)al Fiqh)

Etiquettes of Genuine Ikhtelaf in Etiquettes of Genuine Ikhtelaf in IslamIslam

Sincere intentions and good purposeSincere intentions and good purpose

Patience and tolerancePatience and tolerance

Acceptance of good opinions from othersAcceptance of good opinions from others

Express opinions politely and with proper Express opinions politely and with proper mutual respectmutual respect

Conclude the meeting with unanimous or Conclude the meeting with unanimous or majority decision, clean hearts and dua for majority decision, clean hearts and dua for each other and the Jama’aheach other and the Jama’ah

Causes of Conflicts (Causes of Conflicts (Khilaf)Khilaf)

HypocrisyHypocrisy: :

Causes of Conflicts (Causes of Conflicts (Khilaf)Khilaf)

22- - GreedGreed

TranslationTranslation

Relate to them the story of the man to whom We Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent our signs but he passed them by: so Satan sent our signs but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up and he went astray. followed him up and he went astray. If it had If it had been Our will We should have elevated him with been Our will We should have elevated him with our signs; but he inclined to the earth and our signs; but he inclined to the earth and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him he lolls out his that of a dog: if you attack him he lolls out his tongue or if you leave him alone he (still) lolls out tongue or if you leave him alone he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject our signs; so relate the story; perchance reject our signs; so relate the story; perchance they may reflect.they may reflect.

Araf 7:175,176Araf 7:175,176

Causes of Conflicts (Causes of Conflicts (Khilaf)Khilaf)

3- 3- Arrogance. (Kibr)Arrogance. (Kibr)

Not so Iblis: he was haughty and became one of those who reject Faith. (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one

whom I have created with My hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?"

(Iblis) said: "I am better than he: Thou created me from fire and him Thou created from clay. Saad 38; 74-76

Causes of Conflicts (Causes of Conflicts (Khilaf)Khilaf)

4- 4- Boasting, desire for notoriety (Riya).Boasting, desire for notoriety (Riya).

"And they are commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, sincere in their faith in Him alone" [al-Bayyinah 5].

Causes of Conflicts (Causes of Conflicts (Khilaf)Khilaf)

Jealousy or “Hasad”Jealousy or “Hasad”

Prejudice based upon race, ethnicity, Prejudice based upon race, ethnicity, sect, national origin etc. This could sect, national origin etc. This could lead to groupings and division of the lead to groupings and division of the Jama’ah.Jama’ah.

Types of ConflictsTypes of Conflicts

1- 1- PersonalPersonal- There could be personality clashes - There could be personality clashes between two individuals and that may spill into between two individuals and that may spill into the Jama’ah function. the Jama’ah function. 2- 2- FamilyFamily- There may be some family disputes - There may be some family disputes affecting some individuals.affecting some individuals.3- 3- OrganizationalOrganizational. There may be purely . There may be purely differences on the organizational strategies but differences on the organizational strategies but could lead to conflicts could lead to conflicts 4- 4- BusinessBusiness. There may be disputes in business . There may be disputes in business relations relations

Types of ConflictsTypes of Conflicts

Religious differences in Fiqh Religious differences in Fiqh may affect may affect a person’s attitude a person’s attitude

Political- Opinions on political issues Political- Opinions on political issues or standsor stands

Symptoms of DisputeSymptoms of Dispute

JealousyJealousy. One may develop jealousy . One may develop jealousy against others and have deep rooted ill against others and have deep rooted ill will.will.- Shamatah- Shamatah or feeling happy at the or feeling happy at the downfall of other person downfall of other person End of communicationEnd of communication with no salutation with no salutation - - Loss of respectLoss of respect. One may act in an . One may act in an insulting way insulting way - Ghiba or backbiting- Ghiba or backbiting. .

Symptoms of DisputeSymptoms of Dispute

Nameemah or gossipingNameemah or gossiping. One may start . One may start reporting rumors reporting rumors

Tamaskhar or ridiculingTamaskhar or ridiculing

Violating others rightsViolating others rights

Physical violencePhysical violence

Prevention-Prevention-

O ye who believe! let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are

better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others:

it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other

nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness (to be used of one)

after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (Indeed) doing wrong. Hujurat 49:11

How to resolve the conflicts?How to resolve the conflicts?

Guidance from Quran: Guidance from Quran: Following ayah of Following ayah of Quran guides us on the matter of conflict Quran guides us on the matter of conflict resolution among Muslims.resolution among Muslims.

TranslationTranslation

If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel make ye peace between them: make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other then fight ye (all) against the one that the other then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). just). The believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make The believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers: And fear Allah that ye may receive Mercy. brothers: And fear Allah that ye may receive Mercy. Hujurat 49: 9, 10Hujurat 49: 9, 10

A- A- General StepsGeneral Steps

1- Think positive and have good estimation of 1- Think positive and have good estimation of the disputing person’s thoughts and actions. the disputing person’s thoughts and actions.

2- Good communication. One should keep the 2- Good communication. One should keep the lines of communication open and try to remove lines of communication open and try to remove any misunderstandings. any misunderstandings.

3- Always have good will for others and keep the 3- Always have good will for others and keep the heart clean of any ill feelings. heart clean of any ill feelings.

4- Always make dua for others especially with 4- Always make dua for others especially with the person with whom there is dispute.the person with whom there is dispute.

B- Specific StepsB- Specific Steps. .

1- 1- Personal contactPersonal contact

2- 2- MediationMediation

3- 3- ArbitrationArbitration

4-Disciplinary action4-Disciplinary action