SPIRITUAL REFLECTION: "WHEN FAITH FRACTURES (2)" BY TIMILEHIN SAHEED OLUROTIMI

This second part of of "When Faith Fractures" ought to have been crafted about three weeks ago, but fate decided otherwise, and I had to reflect on life and death in-between, in light of the sad experience I had. In the first part, I drew attention to the challenge of conflict among Muslim individuals and groups and the fact that it has led to discords seemingly driven by diverse understanding of religious truth, but are indeed motivated by ignorance of religion and what it entails.

Conflict is not an accidental intrusion into human life; it is woven by the Hands of Allah Himself into the very fabric of social existence. Wherever people gather, their diverse desires, perceptions, values, and interests must inevitably collide.

Diversity is a blessing, but difference - when unmanaged or mismanaged - becomes a source of tension. Thus, conflict emerges not as a defect of humanity but as a natural outcome of the multiplicity of human urges, attitudes, orientations, and idiosyncrasies.

Across history, civilizations have risen, expanded, fallen, and transformed through cycles of contention. Political rivalries shaped empires; intellectual focuses, orientations, and debates produced schools of thought; and social pressures and struggles of communities birthed societal and national reforms.

Conflict, therefore, is both destructive and creative: it breaks structures, yet also gives birth to new possibilities. What determines its moral and social outcome is not the conflict itself but the ethics, wisdom, and mechanisms by which it is managed.

One of our major challenges is to recognize the nature and roots of iur conflict. Many intra-Muslim conflicts often arise from:

Doctrinal differences (e.g., madhhab, Sufi vs. Salafi approaches)

Leadership and authority struggles within organizations or mosques.

Ethnic, generational, or ideological divides (traditionalists vs. reformists, etc.).

Miscommunication and ego clashes disguised as religious disagreements.

Though there are several other reasons, most of them can be conveniently accommodated within these. The Qur’an, however, proposes two general principles: 

“Do not fall into discord lest you lose courage and your strength departs from you.” (Qur’an 8 v 46)

"Surely, the believers are but brothers, therefore, reconcile disputes among your brothers." (Qur’an 49 v 10).

The first principle draws our attention to the danger of discord, while the second commands us to strive for reconciliation anytime discord is observed among Muslims. It is thus clear that managing our conflicts, resolving them, and transforming them into  mechanisms for positive growth and conflict prevention is not only a social desideratum but also a religious duty.

Everyone of us who is conscious of this duty should, therefore, make efforts to identify whether the issue causing conflict is theological, personal, political, or cultural, as each demands a different tool.

After this, we must understand that as there is a code of conduct for every structure or sphere of action, there are etiquette or ethics of disagreement in Islam. In fact, Islam acknowledges legitimate difference as a kind of mercy when managed with proper ethical principles, key among which are: 

Ikhlas: Sincere intention and action at all times should be valued above victory in argument.

Avoid takfīr (declaring others as unbelievers) or tabdīʿ' (branding them as innovators) on mere sectarian whims without a genuine scriptural.

Focus on shared fundamentals: belief in Allah, the Prophet (saw) and the Qur’an.

Inclination to prophetic model above all. Every authority is fallible except the Prophet.

-Promote Dialogue and Shura (Consultation), and use inclusive consultation when decisions affect multiple groups.

Encourage structured dialogue sessions to air grievances in calm, friendly, and peaceful fora rather than in public debates or social media exchanges.

Embrace justice and apply emotional intelligence* by not taking sides but sticking to the truth at all times. 

Distinguish between truth (al-ḥaqq) and group loyalty (‘aṣabiyyah).

Exercise emotional restraint; harshness breeds defensiveness.

Understand that the ultimate goal is not to “win” an argument but to restore brotherhood.

Perceive peace-building as an act of worship, as the Prophet (saw) declared: *“Sadaqah is of many types - even reconciling between people.” 

     (Muslim)

Allow face-saving options* so that no party feels humiliated.

Create joint community projects (education, charity, youth work) that rebuild trust through cooperation.

Finally, in order to prevent recurring conflicts and divisions, the following suggestions have been proposed by several scholars over time:

Establish councils of scholars and community leaders that represent different orientations.

Encourage youth to learn the diversity of thought in early Islamic history to prevent ideological totalitarianism on their part

Promote inter-group study circles and community service programs.

Use media ethically - discourage divisive rhetoric, promote narratives of unity and respect.

Above all, acknowledge the fact that conflicts often reflect spiritual ailments - arrogance, greed, envy, or insincerity. The cure should thus begin with tazkiyah (purification of the soul).

In light of these, I ask Allah by all assemblies of Jum'ah today to purify our souls for us, bend our hearts in obedience to Him, and unite our voices that we may be truly worthy of the name " Muslim " which He has called us.

TIMILEHIN SAHEED OLUROTIMI

-Nigeria

This text is a thoughtful exploration of conflict, faith, and reconciliation in Islam. The writer reflects on personal experience and Quranic principles to discuss managing conflicts and promoting unity among Muslims. They highlight the importance of recognizing the nature of conflict, applying Islamic ethics, and prioritizing reconciliation and brotherhood. The text blends academic and spiritual tones, offering guidance and suggestions for individuals and communities to navigate disputes and cultivate peace.