The reward for settling a dispute among believers
ثواب الإصلاح وتسوية النزاعات بين المؤمنين
If someone finds that two believers are arguing about something, should he interfere and try to settle the dispute? The Islamic answer is a resounding yes. Healing broken relationships is a core pillar of maintaining a healthy, unified society.
من وجد اثنين من المؤمنين قد اختلفا، فهل له التدخل للإصلاح بينهما؟ الإجابة الإسلامية هي نعم بكل تأكيد. إن معالجة العلاقات المكسورة هي ركيزة أساسية للحفاظ على مجتمع سليم وموحد.
1. Spiritual Brotherhood and Mercy | الأخوة الإيمانية ونزول الرحمات
It is highly commendable for someone to try and resolve a dispute between two Muslims. That is not considered interference in others' business, but rather an act of profound care. By making peace among believers, spiritual brotherhood is fully realized, and by making peace one hopes that Allah's Blessings and Mercy will descend upon the community.
Allah Almighty says: (The believers are but one brotherhood, so make peace between your brothers. And be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.) Surah Al Hujurat 49: 10.
يستحب لمن وجد متخاصمين أن يصلح بينهما، وليس في ذلك تدخل في شؤون الآخرين بل هو اهتمام نبيل. لأن بالإصلاح بين المؤمنين تتحقق الأخوة الإيمانية العظيمة، وبالإصلاح بين المؤمنين يرجى نزول الرحمات من الله الواحد القهار.
قال تعالى: (إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ) الحجرات 49: 10.
2. Better Than Fasting and Charity | أفضل من درجة الصيام والصدقة
The reward for settling differences is astonishingly high. Abu Ad Darda may Allah be pleased with him narrated that the Messenger of Allah pbuh said: "Shall I not inform you of what is more virtuous than the rank of fasting, Salat, and charity?" They said: "But of course!" He said: "Making peace between each other. For indeed spoiling relations with each other is the Haliqah." In another narration, he clarified that it does not shave the hair, but it shaves the religion.
وفي فضيلة ذلك وعظم أجره، روى الإمام أحمد في المسند من حديث أبي الدرداء رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (أَلَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَفْضَلَ مِنْ دَرَجَةِ الصَّلَاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ؟) قَالُوا: بَلَى، قَالَ: (إِصْلَاحُ ذَاتِ الْبَيْنِ، فَإِنَّ فَسَادَ ذَاتِ الْبَيْنِ هِيَ الْحَالِقَةُ). وفي رواية: (لَا أَقُولُ تَحْلِقُ الشَّعَرَ، وَلَكِنْ تَحْلِقُ الدِّينَ).
3. A Daily Act of Charity | صدقة يومية على كل مفصل
Making peace is considered a required daily charity for the human body. Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him reported that the Prophet pbuh said: "On each joint of humans there is a charity every day on which the sun rises: doing justice between two persons is a charity; helping someone with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting his belongings onto it, is a charity; and a good word is a charity, and every step you take towards the congregation prayer is a charity, and removing harmful objects from the way is a charity." Agreed upon.
وما يدل على فضيلة الإصلاح وأنه صدقة، ما رواه أبو هريرة رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (كُلُّ سُلَامَى مِنَ النَّاسِ عَلَيْهِ صَدَقَةٌ، كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَطْلُعُ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ؛ تَعْدِلُ بَيْنَ الِاثْنَيْنِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَتُعِينُ الرَّجُلَ عَلَى دَابَّتِهِ فَتَحْمِلُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَوْ تَرْفَعُ لَهُ عَلَيْهَا مَتَاعَهُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَالْكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَكُلُّ خُطْوَةٍ تَمْشِيهَا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَتُمِيطُ الْأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ صَدَقَةٌ) متفق عليه.
4. The Comprehensive Scope of Making Peace | الشمولية في الإصلاح
Doing justice in this context fundamentally means making peace between two people. This includes resolving disputes among tribes, relatives, neighbors, spouses, workers and their employers, and fathers and sons. This applies comprehensively whether the difference is about money, blood and lives, actions, or words uttered.
ومعنى تعدل بين الاثنين أي تصلح بين الاثنين، والإصلاح يشمل الصلح بين القبائل والأقارب والجيران والأزواج والعمال ومكفوليهم والآباء وأبنائهم، سواء كان ذلك الخلاف في الأموال، أو الدماء، أو الأقوال، أو الأفعال أو غير ذلك.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Is getting involved in an argument between two Muslims considered interfering?
No. In Islam, stepping in to settle a dispute and make peace between believers is highly commendable. It is considered a fulfillment of spiritual brotherhood, not unwarranted interference in others' business.
What did the Prophet say is better than fasting and charity?
The Prophet pbuh taught that making peace and settling disputes between people is more virtuous than the rank of voluntary fasting, prayer, and charity, because hatred destroys a person's religion.
Who does the ruling of making peace apply to?
It applies to everyone in society. Doing justice and making peace includes resolving conflicts between neighbors, spouses, family members, tribes, and employers and their workers, regardless of what the dispute is about.