The Ethics of Disagreement in Islam
Note On Arabic Terms
In this English version of Adab al Ikhtilaaf fee al Islaam, it has been considered necessary to retain several Arabic terms because they contain shades of meaning for which there are no single corresponding equivalent in English. The term adab, for example, although it is translated in the title as `ethics', contains the idea of standard norms and also connotes discipline, proper etiquette, manners, and training. Adab refers in general to the discipline that comes from recognizing one's proper place in relation to one's self, members of the family and others in the community and society. It also refers to the proper etiquette or manner of carrying out particular actions; for example, we speak of the adab of greeting, of eating, of reading the Qur'aan, or of dealing with differences of opinion. Loss of adab implies loss of proper behavior and discipline and a failure to act with justice.
Where English terminology seems in any way inappropriate or where there is a need to draw attention to a technical expression, the original Arabic is also included in the text.
The attempt is made whenever possible to explain Arabic terms when they first occur in the text. For easy reference, a Glossary of Arabic Terms is given at the end of the book. Arabic terms retained are italicized, except for those which have already entered American/English dictionaries such as: Allah, hadeeth, ijtihaad, salaah, Sunnah, Ummah etc. [The italics have been dropped in the online version. Apologies. -MSA ed.]
For Qur'aanic references the number of the soorah (chapter) is first given followed by the aayah's (verse) number, for example (8: 46).
In quotations, brackets ( ) are used when a meaning of a previous word or phrase is given. Furthermore, square brackets [ ] indicate additional wording to clarify the meaning.