Author: Shaikh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan Al Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him)
Source: Asbaabu Najaatil-Ummati
Q: It is the opinion of some that it is necessary to hold discussion/dialogue with those who oppose and differ with our belief, and others hold the opinion that it is not necessary to have discussions with them. So what is the correct opinion regarding this affair, oh noble Sheikh?
A: Dialogue and discussions in which it is intended by it, to present the truth and refute falsehood, then this is wanted and desired.
As Allah the Most High said:
وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
“And argue with them in a way that is better”. (An Nahl: 125)
And He the Most High said:
وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
“And do not argue with the people of the scripture, unless it is in away that is better.” (Al Ankubut: 46)
So therefore, discussions that are intended to clarify the truth and refute falsehood are mandatory and desired.
The Most High said:
قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلَمَةٍ سَوَاء بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
“Say: Oh people of the scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah (alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say; “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” (Aali Imran: 64)
So when it is intended from these discussions with the disbelievers (kuffaar) to clarify the truth, disprove falsehood and establishing proof upon them, then this is desired and mandatory.
As for when it is intended from the discussion to show that we are pleased with their religion then this is not permissible because comprising (our belief) is not discussion or dialogue.
As Allah the Most High said:
وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
“They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.” (Al Qalam: 9)
As He Also said:
أَفَبِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ
“Is it such a talk (this Qur'an) that you (disbelievers) deny?” (Al Waaqi'ah: 81)
This disapproval is from Allah that we compromise in the religion of truth and be content or accept the religion of falsehood. This compromising in the religion of truth and acceptance of the religion of falsehood, acknowledging it, then this is not discussion or dialogue.
And Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
وَدُّواْ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاء
“They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected Faith, and thus that you all become equal (in belief).” (An Nisaa: 89)
And Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
وَإِن كَادُواْ لَيَفْتِنُونَكَ عَنِ الَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ لِتفْتَرِيَ عَلَيْنَا غَيْرَهُ وَإِذًا لاَّتَّخَذُوكَ خَلِيلاً (73) وَلَوْلاَ أَن ثَبَّتْنَاكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْئًا قَلِيلاً (74) إِذاً لَّأَذَقْنَاكَ ضِعْفَ الْحَيَاةِ وَضِعْفَ الْمَمَاتِ ثُمَّ لاَ تَجِدُ لَكَ عَلَيْنَا نَصِيرًا (75)
“Verily, they were about to tempt you away from the which We have revealed to you ( the Qur'an) unto you to fabricate something other than it against Us, and then they would certainly have taken you a Khalil (an intimate friend). And had We not made you stand firm, you would have nearly have inclined to them a little. In that case We would have made you taste a double portion (of punishment) in this life and a double portion (of punishment) after death. And then you would have found none to help you against Us.” (Al Israa: 73-75)
