Dream - In this life, perhaps Dream's friend has been faced with someone who disagrees with you. This ultimately leads to debates when discussing a topic. It is not uncommon for these debates to bring forth emotions and conflicts between parties. Worse, this issue can sever relationships. Did Dream's friend know that in Islam, we are taught about our attitude when debating? Especially when debating with ignorant or foolish people.

He was born in Gaza, Palestine in the year 767 AD. Imam Shafi'i passed away at the age of 54 in Fustat, Egypt in the year 820 AD. One of his famous works is the book Al-Risalah, which is a collection of Islamic legal thoughts. This work has had a significant influence on the development of the Shafi'i school of thought worldwide, as Al-Risalah provides guidance for its followers in practicing religious teachings.

The translation of the given 'Bahasa' text to 'English' while preserving any html tags is as follows: "Mazhab Syafi'i itself is one of the four schools of Sunni jurisprudence. Imam Syafi'i is also known for his intelligence in debating and writing theories of Islamic law. Until now, Mazhab Syafi'i has the largest number of followers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and several countries in the Middle East. Imam Syafi'i is recognized as one of the great scholars in the history of Islam, and his knowledge continues to influence the thinking of Muslims worldwide."

He understands that fools do not always have the same understanding as him, so he always tries to communicate with them wisely and patiently. Imam Shafi'i also understands that arguing with fools can be futile and will not produce anything. Therefore, he tends to not engage in unproductive debates. Imam Shafi'i always prioritizes the interests of the people and the common good above all else.

He does not want to hurt the feelings of foolish people with sharp words or demeaning behavior. Instead, he always chooses to express his opinion in a gentle and respectful manner towards others, even if they have different understandings. With such wise and careful attitude, Imam Syafi'i sets an example of how a wise person should act when dealing with foolish people. He prioritizes an approach filled with love and patience rather than engaging in useless debates.

Imam Shafi'i once said, "If you argue with a foolish person, do not refute them harshly. Because it will only increase their arrogance and ignorance. Instead, speak to them gently so that they can feel your kindness." Relevant sources about Imam Shafi'i's attitude can be found in various books and writings of scholars that discuss his wisdom in debates. One of them is in the book Al-Khairatul Hisan by Sheikh Ibrahim Utsman Al-Masyhur.

In the book, there are many stories and direct quotes from Imam Syafi'i that show the attitude that Muslims should emulate when debating with ignorant people.

He is a great scholar who understands that facing foolish people with anger or violence will not bring any benefits. Instead, he teaches to respond to them with patience and wisdom. Imam Shafi'i emphasizes the importance of preserving one's dignity and honor when dealing with foolish people. He believes that a person's intelligence cannot be measured solely by their knowledge, but also by how they interact with others.

With a silent and patient attitude, we can also demonstrate maturity and depth of knowledge we possess. In facing foolish people, the message of Imam Syafii teaches us to treat them well, avoid conflicts, and maintain harmony. This is part of the wisdom and discretion of a scholar who wants to set an example for the community. Therefore, we can learn from the message of Imam Syafii to continue to handle foolish people with wisdom and patience.

First, there is a group of ignorant people who do not want to learn and develop knowledge. They do not care to seek the truth and only want to live in ignorance. An example is someone who refuses to learn religion or science because they feel satisfied with the knowledge they currently possess. Second, al-Ghazali said that the ignorant group who does not have adequate intellectual capacity does not need to be paid attention to.

They are unable to understand deeper knowledge and will only become confused if forced to learn things that are too complex for them. An example is a young child who is not ready to understand complicated philosophical concepts. Lastly, al-Ghazali also mentions that ignorant groups with closed hearts who are unable to accept the truth do not need to be bothered with.

They refuse to be open to different views and insist on their own beliefs without any justifiable reason. An example is someone who is fanatical about their political or religious beliefs and refuses to listen to others' perspectives. Therefore, according to al-Ghazali, the three ignorant groups that should not be heeded are those who do not want to learn or develop, those who do not have adequate intellectual capacity, and those whose hearts are closed to the truth.