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Arguing is disliked inside a mosque and everywhere

Question

What is the ruling on arguing and debating with one another inside a mosque, regardless of the topic, given that it has become common nowadays?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Arguing is usually accompanied with loud voices, repulsion, discord and division. Islam has condemned such blameworthy arguing even if it was outside the mosque. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {And obey Allaah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allaah Is with the patient.}[Quran 8:46]

Abu Umaamah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "No people went astray after guidance except that they were afflicted with arguing." [Ahmad, Ibn Maajah and At-Tirmithi; Saheeh (i.e. authentic)] Then, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, recited the verse that reads (what means): {And they said, "Are our gods better, or is he?" They did not present the comparison except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute.}[Quran 43:58]

Raising one's voice inside a mosque – even if for reciting the Noble Quran - is forbidden. Some scholars excluded religious lessons from this. Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, "The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, observed I‘tikaaf (i.e. seclusion in the mosque for the purpose of worship) in the mosque and heard worshippers reciting the Quran out loud. He removed the curtain and said: "Verily, each of you is in a private conversation with his Lord so you should not disturb each other. And you are not to raise your voices against each other in recitation." [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi, Abu Daawood and others]

If raising one's voice while reciting the Quran inside the mosque is impermissible, what do you think (is the ruling) of raising one’s voice in a blameworthy argument or debate, even if it was outside the mosque! Muslims should strive to eliminate this evil but while observing wisdom, leniency and good admonition, of course, so as not to fall into the abyss of another evil while forbidding this one.

Allaah Knows best.

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