Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Life under the Grace of Ethics Factors effective in influencing on the hearts Seeking excellence in discussion or dispute and fussing In the Islamic instructions, it is highly emphasized on the manner of discussion with people, especially with ignorant and low knowledge people, and the discussions which do not have any "fact seeking aspect" are prohibited under the title of "dispute and fussing". Even in some cases, discussion is absolutely forbidden.
Holy Qur’an says: وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better. (29:46) And somewhere else it says: وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ * And reason with them in the better way (16:125) * In the above two verses, the discussions lacking "fairer manner" and "better way" are prohibited.
They are the same discussions having a sympathetic aspect and accompanied with kindness, courtesy, compassion, and do not leave any ill or negative effect on the other party. Even in some cases, God officially instructs His Prophet (S) to choose silence against the aggression of opponents, and absolutely avoid the discussions, the end of which is dispute and obstinacy.
وَإِنْ جَادَلُوكَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ And if they wrangle with thee, say: Allah is Best Aware of what ye do. (22:68) In the several traditions, discussion is prohibited through different subtle interpretations disclosing a series of mental points: قالَ النَّبِیُّ(صلى الله علیه وآله): «ذَرُوا الْمِراءَ فَاِنَّهُ لا تُفْهَمُ حِکْمَتُهُ وَلا تُؤْمَنُ فِتْنَتُهُ».
The Prophet (S) said: Avoid dispute because its wisdom is not understood and there is no security against its sedition.[^1] وَ قالَ(صلى الله علیه وآله): «لا یَسْتَکْمِلُ عَبْدٌ حَقِیقَةَ الاِْیمانِ حَتّى یَدَعَ الْمِراءَ وَ اِنْ کانَ مُحِقّاً».
And he said: No one fulfills the reality of belief, unless he leaves dispute, although he is right.[^2] قالَ سُلَیْمانُ بْنُ داوُدَ لاِبْنِهِ: «یا بُنَیَّ اِیّاکَ وَ الْمِراءَ فَاِنَّهُ لَیْسَتْ فِیهِ مَنْفَعَةٌ وَ هُوَ یُهَیِّجُ بَیْنَ الاِْخْوانِ الْعَداوَةَ». Solomon, son of David, told to his son: My son!
Avoid dispute because it has no profit and provokes the fire of enmity among the brothers.[^3] عَنِ النَّبِیِّ(صلى الله علیه وآله): «ما ضَلَّ قَوْمٌ بَعْدَ هُدىً کانُوا عَلَیْهِ اِلاّ اُوتُوا الْجَدَلَ».