I was away for a while, as I was going thru some of the threads and was disappointed seeing Muslims belittling each other. THATS not ON

When getting involved in heated discussions please bare in mind:

• Not to take sides of one or two individuals unless absolutely necessary.

• Let the person being attacked defend themselves, if they chose not to defend themselves than its very noble of them.

• We should not look down or belittle the opponent.

• we should be patient, forbearing and forgiving.

• We should avoid getting angry and annoyed. Ibn sirren said "al-Hiddah (rage) is the other name of ignorance" ie when it happends during a debate. As for what at-Tabarani reported on the authority of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (ra) that the messanger of Allah (saw) said: "The best of my ummah are their furuious ones, who when they get angry go back to thier state of calm."

• when we get angry we should refrain from debating/discussing the issue until we are clam.

• If one is debating someone more knowledgeable than him, he should not say: You are mistaken or what you have said is wrong: Rather he should say: what would you say if someone said or objected by saying such and such.... or he should oppose using the style of one seeking truth...such as, 'it is not correct to say such and such..'

• We should think about what the other person is saying and understand him with sincerity so we can respond correctly.

• Imam Malik said: "there is no point in answering without understanding."

• we should not get into discussions to play the crowd or show off to please others.

• We should not debate with someone obstinate adn self-conceited for such person will not take anything from someone else.

• One should not expand matters especially when they are known to his opponent but be brief without impairing the point in question, ie,. the subject matter.

• One should never discuss or entertain any discussion with someone who belittles knowledge and the people of knowledge. Imam Malik said: "the humiliation and disgrace to knowledge is when a man speaks with knowledge to one who does not respect him."

• we should not let arrogance come in between from letting us accept the truth.

And one should never distort the answer by responding with something incosistent with the question.

There are ones I could think of... please feel free to add which you feel are important.

BarakaAllahu Feek