A summary of the concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah.
The difference between appeasement (mudaahanah) and gentle dealing (mudaaraah) in the struggle of truth against falsehood.
Appeasement is compromising some of the fundamental principles of the religion.
To gain worldly benefits or to preserve them.
Like someone who supports falsehood to obtain a position or wealth.
Or out of fear of losing that.
And like someone who remains silent about speaking the truth to gain worldly things.
Therefore, appeasement is forbidden and detested by Islamic law.
And Allah the Almighty said in condemnation of it:
"So do not obey the deniers." (Qur'an 68:8)
"They wish you would compromise, so they would compromise." (Qur'an 68:9)
Gentle dealing, on the other hand, is compromising something of this world or personal gains.
To preserve the religion and its principles, and to ward off corruption.
Or to achieve interests related to preserving the religion and its people.
And an example of this is:
Holding back the hand from fighting in the Meccan period.
And the terms of peace that were made with the polytheists in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
Therefore, gentle dealing is permissible.
In fact, it might even be required by Islamic law.
And Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, dedicated a chapter in his authentic book.
Titled "Gentle Dealing with People."
And he narrated from Abu Al-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, his saying:
"We indeed show a cheerful face (i.e., we appear to smile) towards certain people.
Even though our hearts curse them."
And the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:
"The worst of people in status before Allah on the Day of Resurrection
are those whom people abandon or shun for fear of their obscenity."
Ibn Hajar expressed concern regarding these two narrations, saying:
Ibn Battal said: Gentle dealing is among the characteristics of a believer.
It is lowering one's wing to people and speaking kindly.
And refraining from being harsh with them.
Al-Qurtubi said: The difference between gentle dealing and appeasement is:
That gentle dealing involves expending worldly resources for the sake of worldly or religious reform.
And it is permissible, and perhaps even recommended.
While appeasement is abandoning the religion for the sake of worldly reform.
And Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
Gentle dealing is a praiseworthy trait, and appeasement is a blameworthy trait.
The difference between them is that the one who practices gentle dealing is kind.
To his companion until he extracts the truth from him or turns him away from falsehood.
While the appeaser is kind in order to affirm him in falsehood and leave him to his desires.
So, gentle dealing is for the people of faith, and appeasement is for the people of hypocrisy.
And with this clear distinction,
it is not permissible for anyone to practice appeasement in the religion of Allah and to ally with the enemies of Allah.
Under the guise of gentle dealing and tolerance.
Just as it is not permissible for anyone to abandon the required gentle dealing to defend the religion and its people.
For fear that it might be considered appeasement.