Some Guidelines for Unifying The Ummah (part 2 of 6)
Tolerance
Following on from the three infallibles, another important guideline is to cultivate greater tolerance in the Ummah by knowing the etiquettes of differing; which type of differing is permitted and tolerated in Islaam, and which type is actually prohibited and condemned?
The prohibited differing involves opposing any great usool. This type of differing is forbidden by the Revelation. So whoever opposes these usool, without a valid excuse, has resembled the heretics and deviants.
As regards differing in issues other than the great usool, or in issues of Ijtihaad, then such differences are permitted and should be tolerated. It is forbidden to allow such differences to become a source of inciting hatred between Muslims, or means to split the ranks of this precious Ummah.