Preserving Unity and Avoiding Division: A New Approach to the Ethics of Disagreement in Islam

Taha Jabir Al-Alwani

Oct 2024 · International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)

About this ebook

The cultivation of a thriving Muslim civilization necessitates the rediscovery of the indispensable skills of engaging in respectful disagreement among Muslims. This competency holds the potential to effectively navigate potentially divisive situations and contentious issues. Al-Alwani's work sheds illuminating insight on the constructive dimensions of disagreement and elucidates how early Muslim societies embraced it as a revitalizing force.

Nonetheless, as Islam underwent expansion and development, and the initial generations of Muslims passed away, theological and jurisprudential debates became prevalent, leading to a neglect of the overarching objectives and aspirations of the Ummah. These protracted and intense divisions and conflicts endured over centuries, adversely impacting the advancement, coherence, and potency of the Muslim civilization. The book in question presents numerous exemplary instances wherein celebrated historical figures and scholars within the Muslim community displayed tolerance and comprehension. It fervently urges contemporary Muslims to revive such a spirit of forbearance and understanding. By doing so, they can foster a sense of unity, comprehension, and advancement within the broader framework of the Muslim civilization.

About the author

Taha Jabir Al-Alwani (1935–2016) was a graduate of Al-Azhar University and an internationally renowned scholar and expert in the fields of Islamic legal theory, jurisprudence (fiqh), and usul al-fiqh.