IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE MOST COMPASSIONATE
THE THIRD SERMON FOR THE MONTH OF JUMADA AL-AKHIRAH DATED: 22/6/1447 AH (12 DECEMBER 2025 CE)
TOPIC: THE JURISPRUDENCE OF DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS AND ITS ETHICS IN ISLAM
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Who has distinguished His creation and made them of various types, colors, peoples, and races. He, exalted is He, says:
{وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِلْعَالِمِينَ}
“And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Surely in that are signs for people of knowledge.” (Surah al-Rūm: 22)
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner; His is the creation and the command, and He is capable of all things. And I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah, send Your blessings and peace upon our master Muhammad, his family, and his companions, abundantly until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
I advise you, servants of Allah, and myself, to fear Allah Almighty, to adhere firmly to His obedience, and to beware of opposing His commands and prohibitions. Take heed of His words:
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ}
“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is fully aware of everything you do.” (Surah al-Hashr: 18)
O Muslim brothers, the divine wisdom of Allah—exalted be He—has decreed that when He created human beings, their thoughts, ambitions, aspirations, lifestyles, and standards of living would differ. Their intellectual, mental, and physical abilities also differ. They differ in tastes, foods, clothing, appearance, and languages- indeed, even at the level of their fingerprints; not a single human being on earth shares the exact fingerprint of another, even if they are siblings from the same parents.
Allah Almighty is fully capable of making mankind one unified community, for nothing incapacitates Him:
{وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً}
“Had your Lord willed, He would have made all people a single community.” (Surah Hūd: 118)
This diversity exists not only among human beings but also within plants, animals, and all creation. Such variation is a sign of the perfection of Allah’s craftsmanship and His overwhelming power.
Thus, Allah’s secret in life and creation lies in this diversity, which He decreed in existence as destiny and ordained in religion as law. People differ, and their viewpoints and ideas vary. Allah says:
{وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ * إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ رَبُّكَۚ وَلِذَٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْۗ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ}
“Had your Lord willed, He would have made all people a single community; but they will not cease to differ—except those upon whom your Lord has mercy. And for this He created them. And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled: ‘I will surely fill Hell with jinn and humankind all together.’” (Surah Hūd: 118–119)
And He says:
{لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنْكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًاۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْۖ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ}
“For each of you We prescribed a law and a clear path. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one community; but He willed to test you in what He has given you. So race toward good deeds. To Allah you will all return, and He will inform you about that over which you used to differ.” (Surah al-Mā’idah: 48)
Thus, O Muslims, there are two types of differences:
- Differences of diversity and complementarity
- Differences of conflict and opposition
As for differences of diversity and complementarity, this is the praised difference, which should be dealt with properly. It is the type of difference in which opinions, ideas, proposals, and interpretations vary in the branches of Sharia, aspects of life, and relationships and transactions, without causing resentment, hostility, enmity, severance, or insistence on one’s own opinion.
This type of difference leads to success, achieves goals, and produces accomplishments. People search for the most correct and best opinions, ideas, and proposals. The praised difference does not destroy affection; each party listens to the other; rights are preserved, and dignity is protected. This difference is a divine sunnah.
Allah Almighty says:
{يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُواۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ}
“O mankind! Indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (Surah al-Hujurāt: 13)
He also says:
{وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِلْعَالِمِينَ}
“And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Surely in that are signs for those of knowledge.” (Surah al-Rūm: 22)
And He says:
{وَفِي الْأَرْضِ قِطَعٍ مُتَجَاوِرَاتٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَزَرْعٍ وَنَخِيلٍ صِنْوَانٍ وَغَيْرِ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَىٰ بِمَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الْأُكُلِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ}
“And in the earth are neighboring tracts, gardens of vines, crops, and palm trees, some out of another, watered with one water, yet We make some of them excel others in fruits. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.” (Surah ar-Ra’d: 4)
O Muslims, there are prominent examples in the lives of the Prophets (peace be upon them) regarding differences. One of the most notable examples of this praised difference is the disagreement between Dawud (David) and his son Sulayman (Solomon), peace be upon them, regarding a flock of sheep that damaged the people’s crops. The Qur’an mentions that the correct judgment was with the son, yet Allah praised both of them:
{وَدَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَٰنَ إِذْ يَحْكُمَانِ فِي الْحَرْثِ إِذْ نَفَشَتْ فِيهِ غَنَمُ الْقَوْمِ وَكُنَّا لِحُكْمِهِم شَاهِدِينَ * فَفَهَّمْنَاهَا سُلَيْمَٰنَۚ وَكُلًّا آتَيْنَا حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا}
“And David and Solomon judged concerning the field when the sheep of the people had grazed therein, and We were witnesses to their judgment. So We gave understanding of it to Solomon, and to each We gave judgment and knowledge.” (Surah al-Anbiyā’: 78–79)
It is also reported in the Hadith the dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment regarding the fate of a man who had killed one hundred souls, then repented and set out to a righteous village but died on the way. Should he be judged according to the unjust village where he lived and killed, or according to the righteous village toward which he was heading? In other words, should he be judged by his deed or by his intention? The angels of punishment judged by his deed, while the angels of mercy judged by his intention. Allah sent an angel to arbitrate between them, and the judgment favored the angels of mercy.
Such differences occurred even among the most honored creations before Allah—the noble angels and great prophets—due to differences in perspective, points of view, and the breadth or limitation of their knowledge. How then can we hope to eliminate differences among ordinary people, who have no infallibility, no honored angel, and no prophet?
We also witnessed what happened among the Companions regarding Banu Qurayzah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that none should pray the ‘Asr prayer except in Banu Qurayzah. Some companions understood that this meant they could only pray in Banu Qurayzah, so they strictly followed the text of the hadith. Others understood that the Prophet was urging them to hurry, so they prayed on the way. The Prophet (peace be upon him) approved both approaches.
As for the second type of difference, it is the difference of conflict and opposition, which is blameworthy because it leads to division and discord among people and severs the bonds of love and affection. The Prophet ﷺ warned against blameworthy differences and explained the path to salvation from it, saying:
“Indeed, there will come after me many differences. You must adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs. Hold fast to it with your molars, and beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance leads to the Hellfire.”
(Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad)
Such disputes and divisions should be referred back to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah, and judged by people of knowledge. It is blameworthy because its origin is contention, enmity, prioritizing personal opinion over revelation, ignorance, or misunderstanding.
O Muslims, here are some of the etiquettes of difference that the Ummah should cultivate—rulers and ruled, parties and groups, scholars and academics, thinkers and opinion-holders, young and old, men and women:
- The difference should aim for the truth solely for the sake of Allah, free from desires and whims. Often disputes among individuals or groups appear to be about knowledge or intellectual matters but are actually rooted in self-love and following whims, which blinds, deafens, and misguides from the path of Allah. Islamic education, based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, trains the believer to seek Allah’s pleasure, not worldly praise or benefit.
Yunus al-Sudfi described Imam al-Shafi‘i thus:
“I have not seen anyone more reasonable than al-Shafi‘i. I debated him once on a matter, and when we parted, he met me again, took my hand, and said: ‘O Abu Musa, should we not remain brothers even if we disagree on a matter?’” (See: Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala’, Vol. 16, p. 10)
- Do not cling to an opinion rigidly or fanatically, but be willing to accept what is better, regardless of its source. A famous saying attributed to Imam al-Shafi‘i is:
“My opinion is correct but may be wrong; the opinion of others may be wrong but may contain some truth.”
This acknowledges that his own opinion is a human effort open to critique and correction, and that the opinion of others, even if seemingly mistaken, may carry aspects of the truth and should be heard. - Freedom from fanaticism toward individuals, schools, or sects: A true Muslim does not bind himself except to evidence. When evidence appears, he follows it, even if it contradicts his school of thought, the words of an imam he honors, or the sect he belongs to, because truth is more deserving to be followed. Imam al-Shafi‘i said:
“By Allah, I do not care whether the truth appears through my tongue or my opponent’s.” - Justice: Islam requires a Muslim to be just with those he loves and those he dislikes. Anger should not take him away from the truth, nor pleasure lead him into falsehood. Enmity should not prevent testifying to the good in an opponent. Allah says:
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَى أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ}
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or your parents and relatives.” (Surah An-Nisā’: 135)
And He says:
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُواۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ}
“O you who have believed, be steadfast witnesses for Allah in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to piety. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Surah Al-Mā’idah: 8)
5 – Having Good Assumptions about Others:
A believer should remove the “dark lens” when looking at the actions of others. One’s behavior should not be based on self-praise or accusing others. Allah forbids us from exalting ourselves:
{هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِكُمۡ إِذۡ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِذۡ أَنتُمۡ أَجِنَّةٌ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡۖ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ}
“He is most knowing of you when He created you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim purity for yourselves; He is most knowing of who is conscious of Him.” (Surah An-Najm: 32)
Among the greatest branches of faith is good trust in Allah and good assumptions about people.
6 – Avoiding Argumentation and Fierce Disputes:
The Qur’an has condemned certain types of people, saying:
{وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَٰدِلُ فِي ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍ وَيَتَّبِعُ كُلَّ شَيۡطَٰنٍ مَّرِيدٍ}
“And of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil.” (Surah Al-Hajj: 3)
And He says:
{وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعۡجِبُكَ قَوۡلُهُۥ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَيُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِي قَلۡبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلۡخِصَامِ}
“And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 204)
Praise be to Allah who has blessed us with the Qur’an, and may He benefit us with its verses and wise remembrance. I say what I say and seek forgiveness from Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, for me, for you, and for all Muslims, from every sin. So seek His forgiveness; He is indeed the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner; His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is over all things competent. I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger. May Allah bless Muhammad, his family, and companions abundantly.
Fear Allah, obey Him, uphold His worship, avoid His disobedience, and be patient with His trials.
O Muslims, security and stability are among the greatest necessities of life. With them, conditions improve, civilization grows, and religious rituals are established. No one enjoys peace of life or tranquility of the soul except under the shadow of security and stability. Fear disrupts life, and chaos and displacement strip away the necessities of living. Therefore, it is incumbent upon everyone to avoid anything that leads to chaos and instability, in order to preserve security and stability.
Targeting a group of peaceful people in the country and firing randomly at them—killing whomever is killed and wounding whomever is wounded—is not part of the religion of Allah. It is feared that such acts may be the scheme of enemies, executed by some ignorant and naive people to stir discord among people.
We are therefore astonished at the stance of some American visitors to Nigeria, who came investigating a claim of “genocide against Christians”, while neglecting the Islamic perspective in their tours, and only communicated with church leaders after consulting government security agencies. This clearly shows a lack of fairness, balance, and justice in their steps.
We affirm—without any ambiguity—that Islam is innocent of violence, terrorism, and all forms of massacre, and that there is no genocide in Nigeria targeting Christians. Violence affects everyone regardless of religion or color. Any serious search for a solution must include everyone to achieve the desired peace.
Allah Almighty has prohibited the killing of any soul in His Glorious Book:
{مِنۡ أَجۡلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبۡنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَـٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفۡسَۢا بِغَيۡرِ نَفۡسٍ أَوۡ فَسَادٍ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنۡ أَحۡيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحۡيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًاۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُنَا بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنۡهُم بَعۡدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَمُسۡرِفُونَ * إِنَّمَا جَزَـٰٓؤُاْ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَسۡعَوۡنَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُوٓاْ أَوۡ يُصَلَّبُوٓاْ أَوۡ تُقَطَّعَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَأَرۡجُلُهُم مِّنۡ خِلَٰفٍ أَوۡ يُنفَوْاْ مِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ ذَٰلِكَ لَهُمۡ خِزۡيٌ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَلَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ * إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُواْ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن تَقۡدِرُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ فَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ}
“Because of that, We decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul—not in retribution for another soul or for corruption on the earth—it is as if he had killed all mankind. And whoever saves a soul, it is as if he had saved all mankind. And Our messengers came to them with clear proofs; yet many of them thereafter commit excesses on the earth. The only recompense for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon the earth [to cause] corruption is that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides, or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and in the Hereafter, there is a great punishment. Except for those who repent before you overcome them; so know that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah: 32-34)
Supplication:
O Allah, protect our country and the lands of the Muslims from all evil and harm, and grant us and the Muslims security and stability. O Allah, make us among Your grateful and mindful servants. Help us remember You, thank You, and worship You properly. O Allah, endear faith to our hearts, beautify it within us, and make disbelief, sin, and disobedience hateful to us, and guide us among the rightly guided.
O Allah, inspire us to remember You in the quiet of the night and at the ends of the day. Forgive us our sins, mistakes, and excesses against ourselves; You know them best, and none forgives sins except You. O Allah, grant us a good ending, make us among the people of Paradise, and save us from the Fire, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
O Allah, honor Islam and the Muslims, humble disbelief and disbelievers, and we seek Your protection from their evils. Unite the hearts of Muslims upon the truth. O Allah, grant support, honor, strength, might, and awe to the Palestinian people and all Muslims everywhere in the hearts of their enemies. Heal their wounded, free their captives, lift the siege from them, relieve their distress, and grant victory to their mujahideen by Your power and armies, O Lord of the worlds.
O Allah, grant us safety in our homelands, guide our leaders and make them act according to what You love and are pleased with, and forgive our dead and the dead of the Muslims, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds.