14.3 The Jadal (debate)
The desire to be convinced by logical arguments is a part of human nature.
Human beings, generally speaking, like to argue and debate even about things which their limited knowledge cannot verify to be correct or incorrect. Allaah alluded to this nature in the Qur’aan, saying,
“Certainly, the human being is the most argumen-tative creature!” 40
Consequently, Allaah ordered the Prophet (r) to enter into debates with the pagans, but only in a gentle way which might move their hearts:
“Call to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good admonishment and debate with them in the best way.” 41
He also allowed Muslims to have discussions with the Christians and Jews in order to bring the truth to light:
“Only debate in the best manner with the people who follow revealed books.” 42
Since the Qur’aan addresses man, it is only natural that this aspect of human nature be taken into account when topics are presented. Hence, numerous examples of debate (jadal) can be found throughout the Qur’aan. However, the arguments raised in the Qur’aan are very simple and easily understood, as they always rely in one way or another on observable facts to prove the unobservable.
The following are a few types of arguments found in the Qur’aan:
1. Harmony in creation implies a single creator:
“If there were in the (heavens and earth) gods beside Allaah, they would be ruined.” 43
be chaos unless they all agreed or they submitted to the decision of one of them. Agreement or submission both imply an inability and weakness which no true creator should possess. In fact, such descriptions of weakness reduce the Creator of the universe to the status of a squabbling family of human beings in the way that the Greeks, Romans, Hindus, and Egyptians, etc., imagined their gods to be
2. The process of creation implies the possibility of re-creation (resurrection):
“Does the human being think that he will be left without responsibility? Was he not first a mere drop of ejaculated sperm?44 Then he became a leech-like clot which Allaah gave form and balance? And from it He made the sexes, male and female? Is not the One who did this able to give life to the dead?” 45
If one reflects on how humans are wondrously created and molded from such lowly origins, there should be no difficulty in conceiving the re-creation and resurrection of humanity. For the re-creation of a thing is always easier than its initial creation, as Allaah explicitly stated
“And He is the One Who originates the creation, then He will reproduce it, and it is easier for Him.” 46
40 Soorah al-Kahf (18):54. The verse could also be translated, “Certainly, humanity is more than anything argumentative.”
41 Soorah an-Nahl (16):125.
42 Soorah al-‘Ankaboot (29):46.
43 Soorah al-Ambiyaa’ (21):22.
44 The word manee is usually translated as sperm, but it can refer to the fluid of the female as well.
See Sahih Muslim, vol. 1, pp. 181-2, no. 614.
45 Soorah al-Qiyaamah (75):36-40.
46 Soorah ar-Room (30):27.