How Debating Should Be Done

How the Salaf used to Debate – الإمام أبي حنفية

Imam Abu Hanifah is reported to have said:

كنا نناظر وكأن على رؤوسنا الطير ، مخافة أن يزل صاحبنا ، وانتم تناظرون وتريدون زلة صاحبكم
“We used to debate in such a calm manner that birds could nest on our heads.
We FEARED that our opponent would slip while you WISH that your opponent slips.”

[“Sharh Fath al-Qadir”, 1/360].

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Unlike us, they did not SWEAR, SHOUT, THROW CHAIRS etc.
They were relaxed … they desired that their opponent finds the truth.
As the poet says:
“RAISE YOUR ARGUMENT, NOT YOUR VOICE.
IT IS RAIN [BY WHICH GOD] GROWS FLOWERS, NOT THUNDER.”