Question:
What did Imam Malik say about debating?
Answer:
“Arguing and debating about religion takes away the light of knowledge from the heart of the ‘abd.” A man said to him, “A man has knowledge about the Sunna. Should he argue for it and debate about it?” Malik replied, “No, he should inform [people] about the Sunna; if it is accepted [good], and if not, he remains silent.” Ibn Wahb said that when Malik would be approached by a person who follows his whims he would say, “As for me, I am upon clear proofs from my Lord. But as for you, you are in doubt. Go find another person in doubt like yourself and argue with him. ‘Say, this is my path, I call to Allah with clear insight, I and those who follow me, and I am not a pagan’” (12:108 Yusuf).
Source:
Ibn Farhun, Burhan al-Din. Al-Dibaj al-Mudhhib fi Ma’rifat A’yan al-Madhhab, Dar al-Turath; vol 1, pp 115.
وكان مالك يقول: المراء والجدال في العلم يذهب بنور العلم من قلب العبد. وقيل له: الرجل له علم بالسنة أيجادل عنها؟ قال: لا ولكن ليخبر بالسنة فإن قبل منه وإلا سكت. قال بن وهب: وسمعت مالكاً يقول إذا جاءه أحد من أهل الأهواء أما أنا فعلى بينة من ربي. وأما أنت فشاك فاذهب إلى شاك مثلك فخاصمه ثم قرأ: ” قل هذه سبيلي أدعو إلى الله على بصيرة أنا ومن اتبعني وسبحان الله وما أنا من المشركين ” يوسف ١٠٨.
Written by: Shadee Elmasry