111 — Umar ibn Ayyūb al-Saqatī also narrated to us, saying: ⦗432⦘ Muhammad ibn al-Sabbāh al-Jarjarā'ī said: Kathīr ibn Marwān al-Filastīnī narrated to us, from Abd Allah ibn Yazīd al-Dimashqī, who said: Abū al-Dardā', Abū Umāmah, Wāthilah ibn al-Asqa, and Anas ibn Mālik narrated to me, saying:

The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—came out to us while we were disputing about a matter of religion. He became intensely angry—angrier than we had ever seen him—and then rebuked us, saying: “O nation of Muhammad, do not stir up against yourselves the blaze of the Fire! Then he said: Is this what you were commanded to do? Were you not forbidden from doing this? Were those before you ⦗433⦘ not destroyed precisely because of this? Then he said: Abandon disputation, for there is little good in it. Abandon disputation, for its benefit is slight and it stirs up enmity between brothers. Abandon disputation, for no one is safe from the tribulation it brings. Abandon disputation, for it engenders doubt and nullifies deeds. Abandon disputation, for a believer does not engage in it. Abandon disputation, for the regrets of one who disputes have reached their full measure. Abandon disputation, for it is sin enough that you persist in it. Abandon disputation, for I will not intercede on the Day of Resurrection for one who engages in it. Abandon disputation, for I guarantee three homes in Paradise—in its middle, on its outskirts, and in its highest reaches—for anyone who abandons disputation even when speaking truthfully. Abandon disputation, for the first thing my Lord Most High forbade me after idol worship and wine-drinking was disputation. Abandon disputation, for Satan has despaired of being worshiped, but he is content merely to incite discord through you—and that is disputation concerning religion. Abandon disputation, for the Children of Israel split into seventy-one sects, the Christians into seventy-two sects, and my nation will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be upon misguidance except the main body.”

They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is the main body?”

He replied, “Whoever follows what I and my Companions follow; whoever neither engages in disputation concerning the religion of Allah Most High nor declares anyone who affirms Allah’s oneness to be an unbeliever because of a sin.” He then related the remainder of the hadith.

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn ⦗434⦘ said: When the learned among the Followers, and after them the imams of the Muslims, heard this, they neither engaged in disputation over religion nor entered into contentious argument. They warned the Muslims against disputation and argument, and instructed them to adhere to the sunnahs and to what the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—followed. This is the way of the people of truth whom Allah Most High has granted success. We shall cite from them that which demonstrates what we have said, if Allah Most High wills.