STAYING WITHIN THE LIMITS

Tariq ibn Shihab reports that there was a disagreement between Khalid ibn al-Walid and Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas. They would often debate over a particular issue, but their disagreement remained unresolved for quite some time.

During this period, a person came to Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas and began speaking negatively about Khalid ibn al-Walid—such as pointing out that he had accepted Islam late and had been a commander in the army of the polytheists during the Battle of Uhud. After listening to him, Sa’d said, “Stop. What lies between us and Khalid does not affect our religion.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith No. 27187)

This incident shows that even two highly respected scholars or leaders can have serious disagreements. Yet, even in the middle of such disagreements, they firmly maintain their limits. Under no circumstances do they overstep these boundaries.

These boundaries exist in two ways. First, when both sides engage in discussion, their speech remains strictly focused on the actual point of disagreement—it does not deviate from the issue at hand.

Second, both parties fully ensure that the disagreement remains intellectual in nature; it does not turn into personal hostility or bitterness in their hearts.

The statement, “It does not affect our religion,” means that this disagreement does not give rise to doubts about each other’s intentions. It does not lead them to make moral accusations or attack one another’s character. Their entire discussion is based on reason and argument—not on blame, backbiting, or fault-finding.