Page 126 - Communication and Argument in the Qur'an

124 COMMUNICATION AND ARGUMENT IN THE QUR’AN

argument may appear. But believers who make such an
error soon realize, either through the intervention of other
believers or through their own consciences, that their
behavior was contrary to the Qur’an. They ask Allah’s for-
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giveness and, obeying “put things right between you”
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(Surat al-Anfal: 1), make up for any hard feelings they
caused.
The second possibility is quite different: argument
enters “from outside” in an organized and aware fashion.
Unbelieving hypocrites insinuate themselves into a com-
munity of believers for a short-term gain. Their prime
ammunition to incite argument is the idea of obedience, for
they find it irritating to have to accept the prophets’ and
messengers’ advice and abide by their decisions. Their
argumentative nature comes to the fore, especially when
their own advantage is at stake.
In the days of our Prophet (saas), the hypocrites want-
ed to separate themselves from the community even
though the Qur’an had come and our Prophet (saas) lived
among them. Their main reason was that they did not want
to fight and were afraid of death. When everything became
clear and our Prophet (saas) ordered them to go into bat-
tle to win Allah’s favor, they deserted. Some made the
excuse that their houses were vulnerable; others argued
with him about what was right. The Qur’an speaks of many
false excuses. For example, some claimed that they did
not know how to fight, that their families keep them occu-
pied, or that it was too hot. Allah’s answer was quite clear:
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“ “The Fire of Hell is much hotter” (Surat at-Tawba: 81).
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