131 — Ibn ‘Abd al-Hamīd also narrated to us, saying: Zuhayr narrated to us, saying: Abū ⦗450⦘ Hudhayfa al-San‘ānī narrated to us, saying: ‘Abd al-Samad ibn Ma‘qil narrated to me that he heard Wahb say, “Keep disputation and argument out of your affairs, for you will never get the better of either of two men: one who is more knowledgeable than you—how can you dispute and argue with someone more knowledgeable than you?—or one who is less knowledgeable than you—how can you dispute and argue with someone less knowledgeable than you when he will not heed you? So spare yourself all of that.”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah have mercy on him—said: Whoever possesses knowledge and reason, and carefully considers all that I have mentioned from the beginning of the book to this point, will realize that he needs to act upon it. If Allah intends good for him, he will adhere to the ways of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and to the path of the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—and of those Muslim imams in every age who followed them in goodness. He will acquire knowledge for himself so as to dispel his ignorance, intending to learn it for the sake of Allah Most High—not for disputation, argument, quarrelling, or worldly gain. Whoever has this intention will, Allah Most High willing, remain safe ⦗451⦘ from deviant inclinations, innovations, and misguidance. He will follow the path of the earlier Muslim imams, whose names are mentioned without misgiving, and ask Allah Most High to enable him to do so.

If someone asks, “Suppose Allah Most High has granted a man knowledge, and another man comes to ask him about a religious question while disputing and quarrelling with him over it. Do you think he should debate him until the proof is established against him and then refute his assertion?”

The reply is: “This is precisely what we have been forbidden to do and what the earlier Muslim imams warned us against.”

If someone asks, “What, then, should we do?”

The reply is: “If the person’s question is that of one seeking guidance to the path of truth, rather than seeking a debate, then guide him with the gentlest possible explanation, drawing upon knowledge from the Book and the Sunnah, the statements of the Companions, and the statements of the Muslim imams—may Allah be pleased with them. But if he intends to debate and argue with you, this is what the scholars have disapproved of for you. Therefore, do not debate him, and beware of him where your religion is concerned, as the earlier Muslim imams taught—if you are indeed their follower.”

If he asks, “Are we then to leave them speaking falsehood and remain silent toward them?”

The reply is: “Your silence toward them and your shunning them because of what they have said will be harder on them than ⦗452⦘ your debating them.” This is what the earlier righteous predecessors among the Muslim scholars said.