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ArticlesOfTheIslamicFaithByGhazali, page : 48
Thus the prophets - the praise of Allah be upon them - did not
cease to debate with the unbelievers and dispute with them.
Allah said, "Dispute with them in the kindest manner." The
Companions - may Allah be pleased with them - too used to debate
and dispute with the unbelievers, but only when necessary.
During the time of the Companions the need for disputation
was minimal.
The first to establish the precedence of summoning innovators
back to truth by means of debate and argument was 'Ali ibn
abi Talib - may Allah be pleased with him - when he sent ibn
Abbas to the Kharijites. Ibn Abbas argued with them saying,
"What, you rebel against your leader?" They replied, "He has
fought, but did not turn the prisoners to be slaves nor took
the spoils of war." Ibn Abbas explained to them that prisoners
and spoils are taken only in a war against unbelievers,
cease to debate with the unbelievers and dispute with them.
Allah said, "Dispute with them in the kindest manner." The
Companions - may Allah be pleased with them - too used to debate
and dispute with the unbelievers, but only when necessary.
During the time of the Companions the need for disputation
was minimal.
The first to establish the precedence of summoning innovators
back to truth by means of debate and argument was 'Ali ibn
abi Talib - may Allah be pleased with him - when he sent ibn
Abbas to the Kharijites. Ibn Abbas argued with them saying,
"What, you rebel against your leader?" They replied, "He has
fought, but did not turn the prisoners to be slaves nor took
the spoils of war." Ibn Abbas explained to them that prisoners
and spoils are taken only in a war against unbelievers,