Are discussions and debate allowed by the Quran?

Question

Qur'an 4.140
You have been commanded in the Book that whenever you hear Verses of Allah denied, derided, ridiculed, or mocked [as is the only reasoned response], do not sit with them and engage them in this talk or you will be no different from them. Indeed, Allah will collect the Hypocrites and Infidels together and put them all in Hell.

Qur'an 33.36
It is not fitting for a Muslim man or woman to have any choice in their affairs when a matter has been decided for them by Allah and His Messenger. They have no option. If any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a wrong Path.

Answer 1

We can discuss without any problem but if there is someone blaspheming then we should not sit with them but turn the cheek and not become violent.

Answer 2

Thank you for this question,

There are many Tafsir (exegesis) on the Quran on this subject. The most agreed upon, especially about 4.140 and similar verses refers to a hadith of Rasul Allah (saw) when asked about such conversations. To paraphrase here, what he said was that such conversations were a waste of time because the people were not actually engaging in a discussion for the sake of gaining knowledge but rather just for the purpose of engendering anger and enmity. Therefore as soon as you realize that this is happening you should simply say "Salam" and leave.

However, good conversation and discussion is always allowed if the purpose is for the gaining of knowledge and understanding of one another. Allah (swt) also says in the Quran that we were created as different nations so that we might know one another. How can we know one another except to talk and discuss and ask questions? It is only when those questions are asked for purposes other than gaining knowledge that we should leave the discussion.

As far as the second ayat goes, this goes to the heart of being a muslim which means that one is satisfied with the will of Allah (swt) and that Allah (swt) is satisfied with you because of your satisfaction.

And Allah knows best.

Peace and Blessings,

Salim

Answer 3

Sure, Muslims must obey the Quraan but asking questions is fine to gain more knowledge. The more you ask the more you learn in Islam. Believe me i done that. But at the end of the day, you supposed to follow the everything in the Quraan (if you muslim). The reason why these "debates" are kind of pushed away is interpretation. The Quraan, is clear but some people unfortunately interprets it different and this only causes more division that actually shouldn't be heppening according to the Quraan. And if a matter is agreed upon, lets say drinking is prohibited which is very clear, one shouldn't question the Quraan authenticy as if you are a Muslim and believe in the Quraan, you'll know that the book is unchanged and still in it's original form and the words are clear, so why question God? If you start questioning the things that are clear then how can you believe in the Quraan but not that part?

"Do you believe only a part of the message and discard the rest?" (2:85)

Answer 4

You can debate the issues as much as you like, so long as all parties in the debate agree that they must all be wrong as only the koran is right.

Strange concept, but not unusual in dictatorships. After all, who voted for god/allah/cernunnos/zeus/jupiter ? If believers (of any religion) accept that there is an omnipotent being ruling the universe, then they accept the rule of a dictatorship. So, with no democracy, there's no real argument. Dictators usually burn the books (and/or people) that disagree with their viewpoint.

Answer 5

sure it is. Why not allowed?

the first Koranic verse is talking about people mocking and denying 1's religion. not sitting with them is more better than having a long useless or unfriendly debate with them. this is a great indication that Islam is not based on forcing your beliefs on other people. God is simply saying " don't debate with them or sit with them if they are rude"
how can a person debate with people mocking his beliefs?

the second one is talking about the very harmful things a human can do. like drinking so much alcohols or killing an innocent human being. those things are taboo no one can debate when God says alcohols are taboo
when he says it's bad this is because it will harm people.
can you debate about killing or not killing an innocent human being?killing is not accepted and cannot be allowed.

Answer 6

I belive that if someone does doubt anything written in the Qur'an then they should find out what Hadiths and scholars, and clerics say about such matters. They will find that they will have a better understanding and find that they no longer doubt what the Qu'ran says, as it all makes sense. No one follows Islam blindly.

Answer 7

it is allowed to learn and search for the truth..

But at the same time it is not allowed to have argues with those who deny Allah and Islam as they have to go their own path.

There is a nice sura about it: Sura 109

Say: O disbelievers!
I worship not that which ye worship;
Nor worship ye that which I worship.
And I shall not worship that which ye worship.
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Answer 8

I see nothing in what you published that says they can not prostylatize or discuss other subjects than whether or not the rules given them are up for qustioning do you

Answer 9

Many of us are not clear on your position. I wish for you to explain yourself better because there are lots of crazed terrorists out there blowing up innocent people in the name of the Koran.

Answer 10

sure boy..sure we can discuss and debate for god sake