—as when one person makes a sweeping denial and another affirms what the first denied: someone who draws the necessary distinctions then affirms some aspects but not others. Likewise, where meanings are confused or a word has multiple meanings, one distinguishes a meaning from what resembles it but is actually different, and distinguishes the meanings of different expressions.

Some disputed questions entail that one person’s belief obliges him to hate or curse the other, declare him sinful or an unbeliever, or fight him. If he does this through an exercise of independent judgment in which he errs, his error is forgiven. For the other person, however, this constitutes an affliction, a trial, and an ordeal through which he is tested.

Such is the condition of those who transgress on the basis of an interpretation in their dealings with those who act justly. This may occur among those who wield power and engage in warfare, such as rulers and their like; among those whose sphere is speech and deeds, such as scholars, devout worshippers, and their like; or among those who combine both.

Yet a legitimate exercise of independent judgment does not reach the point of strife and division unless accompanied by transgression; independent judgment alone does not cause this.

As Allah Most High says:
“Those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them—out of jealous animosity between themselves.”
[Surah Āl ʿImrān 19]

And He says:
“Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them.”
[Surah al-Anʿām 159]

And He says:
“And do not be like those who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them.”
[Surah Āl ʿImrān 105]

Thus, legitimate independent judgment does not itself give rise to strife and division; these arise only alongside some form of transgression.