Dear members, before I start this topic, which I’m sure is going to contentious like my other topics in this forum, let me just say that I have no hidden intentions behind these topics. These are truly the questions I have or have had since growing up. But as you may know, these topics are such taboos that no one can bring them up in public (well atleast in pakistan). So I appreciate teh responses I get and I do try to learn from them. But if anyone of you does feel offended, I’m sorry, and feel free not to open up my threads in this forum.
Now coming to my question. There is an ayat in the Quran stating that “There is no compulsion in religon”.
But on the other hand, there is an authortaive hadees stating that " “He among you who sees a “munkar” ( something not good ) should change it with his hand ( activism, organization, movement ). If he can not do that, then with his tongue ( by seaking out against it ). If he can not do that, then within his heart ( by always disliking what is evil or harmful ) and that ( the last option ) is the weakest ( or lowest ) of faith”.
How are these both balanced? Because they seem at odds with one another.
You see... u have to take the ayats or Ahadess in full context... neglecting the background of a specific ayat-al-kareema or a surah, or a hadees and the insisting upon it's justification vs. another hadees or ayat, is a blunder.
For example...'There is no compulsion in religion' ... is infact ... "Let there be no compulsion in Religion". It is addressed to our Prophet Salle Allah u ALaihe wassallam.
But the hadees is adressed to the poppulation. The masses. And both of them cannot be measured on the same apparatus. Hadees has infact taken into account the various circumstances one might face when againt a munkar or evil. The subject might be a strong and capable, then he should bring about a drastic change to it. Otherwise, he must uses his tongue and mind to block it and atleast be honest about it. If he's so weak, (here weak is taken as both the physical condition, or his moral inclination) that he can't do anything about it then... be it in his heart.
Now here Hadees stresses on being vehemently just what ever the occassion is... or what ever the circumstances are, like for example, u are living in a differnt land with different mindset, or u are surrounded by enemies. Again, it's best that one must go all out againt evil... but if he can't then... he has the other options, though not very preferred, but strictly saying that u don't have to be a total terrorist in order to pertain what's what and not.
My friend you perceive the apparent contradiction due to misunderstanding and mixing up two things, let me clarify it for you to best of my knowledge:
1 - The ayah refers to not forcing people to accept Islam - hence no compulsion in religion
2 - The hadith refers to bringing justice within society by getting rid of evil, oppression, injustice and such and the hadith describes three ways to do it.
Do you see the difference between the two? The difference lies between bringing justice and making people accept Islam. The former isn't ruled out by the ayah, "no compulsion in religion". I hope this makes sense and indeed the Lord knows best!
Thanks for the clarifications. So are you guys saying that the ayat is for not forcing people to convert to islam. Whereas the hadith applies only to folks who have accepted islam and are muslims?
^yes, the former is correct - the ayat is about no forcing people to accept Islam. The latar one isn't correct; it doesn't necessarily have to be Muslims. We are obliged to bring justice within society by using one of the three means mentioned in hadith. So in a society, you will have Muslims and maybe non-Muslisms as well and both groups have to submit to justice
Got it. How about a scenario where a woman, lets say, refuses to wear hijab or burqa, what are the duties of other muslims? What would apply here - the ayat (ie no compulsion) or the hadith (stop wrongdoing)? Based on the responses so far - I'd say Hadith, right?
^I don't know, I'll get back to you later, but there is a difference between laws applied to whole society and the laws applied to individual. In matters of individual laws, no one can be forced to do it; so from that perspective hijab falls under that category. However, to avoid greater harm and corruption within society, those laws can be enforced on people form the ruler; so from that perspective hijab would fall under bringing justice within society. Last but not least, the laws can only be enforced by the ruler and not by individuals. For example, a father cannot force her daughter to wear hijab rahter his job is educate her and remind her of her obligations toward her Creator.
I'll post the definite anwer to your question later or wait for someone else to respond
My friend you perceive the apparent contradiction due to misunderstanding and mixing up two things, let me clarify it for you to best of my knowledge:
1 - The ayah refers to not forcing people to accept Islam - hence no compulsion in religion
2 - The hadith refers to bringing justice within society by getting rid of evil, oppression, injustice and such and the hadith describes three ways to do it.
Do you see the difference between the two? The difference lies between bringing justice and making people accept Islam. The former isn't ruled out by the ayah, "no compulsion in religion". I hope this makes sense and indeed the Lord knows best!
^I don't know, I'll get back to you later, but there is a difference between laws applied to whole society and the laws applied to individual. In matters of individual laws, no one can be forced to do it; so from that perspective hijab falls under that category. However, to avoid greater harm and corruption within society, those laws can be enforced on people form the ruler; so from that perspective hijab would fall under bringing justice within society. Last but not least, the laws can only be enforced by the ruler and not by individuals. For example, a father cannot force her daughter to wear hijab rahter his job is educate her and remind her of her obligations toward her Creator.
I'll post the definite anwer to your question later or wait for someone else to respond
and Allah knows best
Ok, thanks. I look forward to your reply.