al-Idah lima warada fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunna bishan al-Islah
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al-Idah lima warada fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunna bishan al-Islah (Clarification of What Has Been Transmitted in the Book and the Sunna Regarding Reconciliation) is a treatise by Ali bin Ghazi al-Tuwaijri that examines the textual proofs, rules, and virtues of reconciling disputes among people based on the Quran and the Sunna.
Purpose and Scope
The author wrote the work to urge himself and fellow Muslims toward peacemaking (islah), aiming to mend social rifts and restore harmony, affection, and mutual ties among Muslims. He restricted the work to scriptural texts encouraging reconciliation, keeping it brief so that a wide segment of Muslims could benefit from it, noting that formal scholarly expertise is not a prerequisite for engaging in peacemaking.
Structure
The treatise consists of an introduction, four core chapters (mabahith), and a conclusion:
- Introduction: Covers the significance of the topic and the author's reasons for composing the work.
- Chapter One: Defines reconciliation (islah and sulh) linguistically and technically, and explains the categories of settlements—distinguishing permissible reconciliation from illicit compromises that make the prohibited lawful or the lawful prohibited.
- Chapter Two: Collects and interprets Quranic verses that address interpersonal reconciliation.
- Chapter Three: Presents prophetic hadiths on the virtues and practice of reconciliation.
- Chapter Four: Details concrete examples of reconciliation drawn from the Quran and the Sunna.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the principal findings and takeaways of the study.
Method
In selecting Quranic evidence, the author limited himself to verses explicitly identified by classical exegetes as pertaining to reconciliation between disputants, excluding verses that refer broadly to reforming personal deeds or the self. He provided a concise overarching explanation for each verse alongside quotations from major exegetical authorities, followed by an explicit breakdown of its textual indication for reconciliation.
For hadith citations, al-Tuwaijri committed to authentic narrations, citing hadith compilations and identifying the scholars who authenticated them whenever a narration falls outside Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. He also provided biographical entries for lesser-known figures mentioned in the text and appended five indexes covering Quranic verses, hadiths, biographical names, references, and subject headings.
Findings
In the conclusion, the author highlights several core outcomes of the study, including the necessity of reconciliation across society, the great divine rewards promised to peacemakers, and the Lawgiver's emphasis on resolving conflicts even through concessions of obligatory rights or permissible untruth. He also classifies permissible settlements into distinct spheres, such as reconciliation between Muslims and hostile parties, between spouses, between rebels and the just authority, as well as in financial and non-financial disputes.
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