The true purpose of seeking knowledge in Islam is to remove ignorance, attain guidance, and benefit the people. It is not for argumentation, pride, or victory over others. Argumentation, in fact, often leads to enmity, ill feelings, and rejection of the truth due to ego.
The Salaf were far removed from such practices. Unfortunately, many today fall into the trap of seeking knowledge merely to debate and dispute, forgetting its actual purpose.
In this article, we will touch on several points from the lives and attitudes of the Salaf regarding knowledge and their strong aversion to argumentation and debate.
The Scholars’ Perspective on Knowledge
The great scholars of the past did not see knowledge as a tool for intellectual sparring. Instead, they sought it for four essential reasons, as summarised by the poet:
ولتقصدوا أربعة قبل ابتداء
تعلم لكي تفوز بالهدى
أولها الخروج من ضلالِ
والثاني نفع خلق ذي الجلالِ
وثالث الإحياء للعلومِ
والرابع العمل للمعلومِ
"So aim for four before you begin,
To learn — so you may attain guidance:
The first — to come out of misguidance,
The second — to benefit the creation of the Glorious One,
The third — to revive the sciences,
The fourth — to act upon what is known."
The first priority was personal transformation. They sought knowledge to correct themselves before correcting others. If knowledge did not lead to action, it was of little value.
The Danger of Seeking Knowledge for Debate
One of the destructive paths that the Prophet ﷺ warned us about was argumentation.
After witnessing a group of companions debating about the Qur’an, he ﷺ said:
بِهَذَا أُمِرْتُمْ أَوْ بِهَذَا بُعِثْتُمْ أَنْ تَضْرِبُوا كِتَابَ اللهِ بَعْضَهُ بِبَعْضٍ إِنَّمَا ضَلَّتِ الْأُمَمُ قَبْلَكُمْ فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا إِنَّكُمْ لَسْتُمْ مِمَّا هَاهُنَا فِي شَيْءٍ انْظُرُوا الَّذِي أُمِرْتُمْ بِهِ فَاعْمَلُوا بِهِ وَالَّذِي نُهِيتُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا
“With this I commanded you? Or with this I was sent you? For you to dispute parts of the Book of Allah by others? Verily, the nations before you were led astray by the likes of this. You are doing nothing good here. Look at what I have commanded you and act by it. What you have been prohibited, then do not do it.” [Musnad Aḥmad 6845]
Ma'roof Al-Karkhi رحمه الله highlighted an important sign that indicates whether Allah wants good for someone:
إذا أراد الله بعبد خيرا فتح له باب العمل وأغلق عنه باب الجدل
"If Allah wants good for a person, He opens the door of action and closes the door of argumentation." [Al-Ibana al-Kubra (2/410) and Ḥilyat al-awliyāʼ (8/361)]
A person who is always engaged in disputation but fails to implement what he learns has missed the true purpose of knowledge. Some people spend their time learning only to refute others, but their own worship remains weak. The Salaf feared this approach. They saw argumentation as a disease that consumed time and led to arrogance.
The Approach of Imam Mālik Toward Debates
Imam Malik رحمه الله embodied this principle. A man once approached him and said,
"Can I discuss an issue with you?"
Imam Malik replied:
"If you win the argument, do you want me to follow you?"
The man said, "Yes."
"And if I win, will you follow me?"
The man replied, "Yes."
"And what if a third person comes and defeats us both? Must we follow him too?"
He then told the man:
"You are constantly jumping from one thing to another. But my religion is built upon certainty." [Al-Ibana al-Kubra:2/905]
Debate does not establish truth, it only proves who is more skilled in rhetoric. A person may win an argument, not because he is correct, but because he is a better speaker.
The Reality of Debating in Today’s World
In the modern context, debates are often not for discovering truth, but for defeating opponents, garnering applause, and gaining followers. Many justify their endless debates under the guise of da’wah, but they rarely embody the true fruits of knowledge: implementation, humility, and good character.
Instead, they become immersed in refutations, public disputes, and online back-and-forths, especially against fellow Muslims. Meanwhile, action and sincere worship are neglected.
In contrast, the Salaf were known for their implementation of knowledge, character, and humility. Debate was never their first response - only a last resort when absolutely necessary - and even then, they maintained proper adab (etiquette) and sincerity.
Consider Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal رحمه الله, who stood firm in the face of trial during the Mihnah (trial). He only defended himself with evidence and patience, never lowering himself to petty disputes or losing his noble character.
Another example is that of Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله. He was one of the most skilled debaters in Islamic history, yet his knowledge was not defined by his debates. Rather, it was his actions, his ibadah, and his immense contributions to Islamic scholarship that made him who he was.
Today, however, many claim da’wah as their purpose, yet their entire approach revolves around disputes. They argue online, refute others, and create content that thrives on controversy rather than education.
A Call to Action: Implement What You Learn
A simple principle to follow: If you learn something, act upon it first.
- Learned some adhkar? Memorise it and recite it regularly.
- Learned about halal and haram? Make sure your own actions are in line before teaching others.
- Learned about prayer, fasting, or zakat? Perfect it in your own life before worrying about others.
Before trying to prove others wrong, ask yourself: Have I implemented this in my own life?
This was the approach of the Salaf. They did not waste time in endless discussions. They internalised knowledge before externalising it.
The Power of Listening: A Forgotten Sunnah
Another remarkable trait of the Salaf was their ability to listen attentively. Unlike today, where interruptions and haste in speech are common, the Salaf understood that listening was a form of ibadah.
Ata ibn Abi Rabah رحمه الله, a great scholar and student of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما, was known for his humble listening. Despite being a leading scholar, if someone narrated a hadith to him—even one he already knew—he would lean in, listen attentively, and act as though he had never heard it before. (al-Jāmi' li li-akhlāq al-rāwi wa-ādāb al-sāmi':1/351)
Why?
- To avoid embarrassing the speaker.
- To absorb the hadith with humility.
Even the leaders of the Muslims, like Sulayman ibn Abdul Malik, would sit in his gatherings, seeking his wisdom.
This practice is rare today. Many interrupt before a speaker has even finished. People rush to share their opinions rather than genuinely listening.
The Virtue of Silence: A Sign of Wisdom
The Salaf valued silence as much as they valued speech. They understood that speech, if not carefully measured, could lead to harm.
- Wuhaib ibn al-Ward رحمه الله said:
"Wisdom consists of ten parts—nine of them are found in silence." [Al-Samt: 62]
- He also said:
"A person who remains silent gathers his thoughts." [Al-Samt: 67]
We have all experienced moments where we speak hastily and later regret it. A quiet, reflective person, however, thinks before they speak.
- Some of the Salaf said:
الصمت عبادة من غير عناء
"Silence is an act of worship that requires no effort."
- It beautifies a person without the need for eloquence.
- It commands respect without force.
- It protects one from regrets.
The Prophet ﷺ also warned about the power of the tongue:
إِذَا أَصْبَحَ ابْنُ آدَمَ فَإِنَّ الأَعْضَاءَ كُلَّهَا تُكَفِّرُ اللِّسَانَ فَتَقُولُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ فِينَا فَإِنَّمَا نَحْنُ بِكَ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَمْتَ اسْتَقَمْنَا وَإِنِ اعْوَجَجْتَ اعْوَجَجْنَا
"Every morning, the limbs address the tongue, saying: ‘Fear Allah concerning us, for if you are upright, we will be upright, and if you are crooked, we will be crooked.’” [Jami' at-Tirmidhi: 2407]
The tongue is the gatekeeper of our actions. If controlled, it prevents arguments, backbiting, and regret. If left unchecked, it leads to sin and broken relationships.
Conclusion: A Lesson from the Salaf
- Knowledge is for action, not argumentation.
- Excessive debating leads to arrogance and wasted time.
- Listening is an act of humility and wisdom.
- Silence protects from regret and commands respect.
- The tongue must be controlled, as it dictates our character.
In a world full of noise, endless disputes, and constant distractions, we must ask ourselves: Are we following the way of the Salaf? Are we learning to implement, or just to argue?
The choice is ours: to be people of action or people of empty debate.
To truly embody the way of the Salaf, we must follow their path with knowledge and action. At AMAU Academy, our Student of Knowledge program takes you deep into the treasures of the Salaf, exploring their books, statements, and methodology. Don't just admire their legacy—live it.
