yet this contradicts the Quran. The Most High says:
“If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command. If it returns, make peace between them with justice and act equitably. Indeed, Allah loves those who act equitably.”
“The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your two brothers.”
He, glorified be He, thus describes them as believers despite their fighting, and commands that, if one group transgresses against the other, the transgressing group should be fought. He did not command fighting either group at the outset. He then commands that, when one of them returns to His command, peace should be made between them with justice. He says:
“The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your two brothers.”
The Quran thus affirms their faith and brotherhood despite the fighting and transgression, and commands fighting the transgressing group where Allah has commanded this.
Likewise, when Umar ibn Abd al-Azīz debated them and they acknowledged the obligation to refer to what the Companions had transmitted from the Messenger concerning the obligatory requirements of prayer, Umar explained that they must likewise refer to what the Companions had transmitted from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, concerning the obligation of stoning and the minimum threshold for zakat. Drawing a distinction between these matters would be to distinguish between equivalent cases. They therefore accepted this.
Similarly, when they rejected the appointment of men as arbitrators, Ibn Abbās argued against them by pointing out that Allah had said, concerning a married couple, that if a breach between them is feared, an arbitrator should be appointed from his family and another from hers. He said:
“If they both desire reconciliation, Allah will bring about harmony between them.”
He also commanded that compensation for killed game be assessed in equivalent livestock, as determined by two just men among you. Thus, whoever rejects arbitration altogether has contradicted the Book of Allah Most High. Ibn Abbās also stated that