1. I am pleased when my opponent is correct,
2. I am sad when he is incorrect,
3. And I preserve my tongue from saying anything that offends him.”
Al Imaam Ahmad stated: “What a wise man he is.”
Al Khateeb al Baghdaadee stated: “A person’s intention should be to clarify the truth when debating, not to defeat his opponent.”
Al Imaam ash Shaafi’ee said: “I did not debate anyone while hoping that he would err.”
He also said: “I never spoke to anyone except that I hoped that he would be granted success and supported. I never spoke to anyone except that I didn’t mind whether Allaah clarified the truth upon my tongue or his.”
Al Hafidh ibn Rajab comments: “This indicates that he did not have any intention except the clarification of the truth, even if it were from the person who is debating and contradicting him. Whoever is of this state would not dislike it when his opinions are refuted and when his contradiction to the Sunnah is clarified, not while alive or after his death. This is also what we think of the other Imaams of Islaam, those who defended Islaam and supported it whether they were from the Salaf or those who came after them. They also never used to dislike those who contradicted them as long as they were following evidence, even though the evidence was not strong enough for them to follow or leave their own evidence for.”
- Reference: The Difference between Advising and Degrading by Ibn Rajab al Hanbali | Al Faqee wal Mutafaqih by al Khateeb al Baghdaadee
- Source: SubulasSalaam
As salaamu ‘aleykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
Forgive me for a comment not related to the post. There is an excellent new blog dedicated to a book called: *An Incomplete History: The Muslims of Spain Post 1492 in a Global Context and its Relevance to Muslims Today*
http://historyofandalus.wordpress.com/
The situation of the Muslims living in the West today poses a striking similarity to the situation of the Muslims in Al- Andalus post 1492 (when the last Muslim ruler surrendered the last Muslim stronghold of Granada to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella). This marked the official end to Islamic rule in Al- Andalus. The end of Islamic rule was also marked by the Capitulations of Granada which was signed between Abu Abdullah Muhammad the Twelfth and the Spanish Crown of Castille. The agreement seemed to be made binding upon the Spanish Crown of Castille but as the reader shall see, it was broken within ten years after the agreement was put into effect.
Muslims lived in Andalus for at least two hundred years after the fall (1492). Their lives were not easy. In many cases they were forced to give up their identities, could not practice Islam in public, they were not allowed to speak Arabic (and therefore could not pray in congregation) or even give their children Muslim names! So what began as tolerance for the practice of Islam in Al- Andalus and allowing for their affairs to be judged under Shari’ah courts (Capitulations of Granada) slowly but surely led to the persecution of the Muslims of Al-Andalus until no trace of Islam in Andalus was to be found.
amazing