Why I'm For You Debating

Assalamualaikum :)

Next week school's going to reopen. It feels like 2011 passed too quickly at times. I no longer have to buy school things this year (although last year, school spirit already escaped me and I bought nothing new >.<).


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(Intended to speak of something else.haha)

I think that debating is something not many really talk about, some just describe it as "fun" , some say its "overrated".  But I've never really heard anyone talk about what it really is.



I spent 4 years in school, joining the debate club. Started when my friends asked me if I wanted to find a team to audition with (audition at that time was very easy hahaha).


But anyway, I support you debating in your school life (as I did with mine). (promoting much? lol) . It fills your time better than joining other almost-redundant clubs.  If your school has some really useful clubs like a Photography club, an Art club, or any other clubs which actually builds skills (unlike now, most schools just have clubs to fill in the blanks of extra-curricular requirements) you should join one of them..



Studies, being hopeless in time management, lack of confidence, lack of speaking skills - shouldn't be barriers to join debate.


Its not only about becoming a good speaker, Best Speaker and whatnot, its also about becoming a better person.


Because, after much consideration, I've come to a conclusion.
The process in which you learn, isn't the tournaments.
Its more of the trainings.


You're forced to do research. You're forced to understand concepts that peers your age don't give a damn about. It gives you a sense of better reasoning. You tend to get analytical, because the more you read, the more you know (and the more you know you don't understand - and you know you have to understand). You see a bigger picture of the world, not only what's laid out in front of you.


I mean, the world isn't only about getting a finding a court for you to play sports - or, wearing ties to school is redundant, or getting the newest Sophie Kinsella book.


Its boring, researching. But I always remember this one particular debater whenever people complain about researching. He's Chinese and he's my age. For someone 17, he has really good analysis and lots of knowledge. I once watched him prep with his team. They had an almanac on the table - which looked worn out (read much?) and files on the floor. But they didn't use any of those. This guy was talking and explaining to his team mates, they were listening, suggesting and questioning, he was answering. And you just know, he's the kind of guy who reads a lot on regular basis. its amazing that some people DO read that much, why can't we?


Next, its also about seeing two sides of a story. You might be against homosexuality because its just absolutely insane, but you acknowledge the other side, why are they for it. I don't think it as an argument to see who's right or wrong. Perhaps we could see it as a (twisted) discussion to finally reach a concurred agreement. You have to keep a liberal stance, see the issue as a whole, not through coloured eyes..because in that way you can better convince people.. only then, you will reach an agreement. Manipulating both sides is the only way to make people acquiesce to you.



Its also practicing flexibility. You aren't supposed to do things how the books tell you to. You're supposed to do the right thing at the right time (ha ha). And the time given to make the decisions is barely there. You learn one non-twisted way of debating, but whenever you actually debate, its hardly ever like that (lol). It could end up as something really different. That's why people may have different views of the same debate. Its up to you to decide on what you wanna do in a debate. Its like maths, using application skills, manipulating what you know to deal with something you don't.


Debating is also about accepting that you do mistakes. Its about accepting criticism. I guess that you have to learn to be strong enough not to cry or curse when you lose debates because, heck, you'll meet a lot of people who will prove you wrong with or without mercy. You just have to accept that you did something you shouldn't have done, and you can't change that. People's criticism will maybe burn your soul because its sometimes too unfair and bitter, but you're created to be educated. you're also created to be criticized. erk.



Teamwork is also something. There's something they call "Method" in the score sheets. I don't know exactly what it is, but when you watch a debate, you know if they have good method or not. Its like how the flow of the debate becomes enriched from one speaker of the team to the next. Which is only achievable with teamwork. Teamwork is something you will build (i think so) as you train. You simply have to.


Speaking skills. Well, gaining it isn't the primary aspect, but rest assured you'll see yourself progressing, from speaking carefully to speaking carelessly (haha), and sometimes, I bet you won't care anymore of how you speak because what you have to say is what really matters. But because everyone else cares, you will keep improving, Insya Allah.




I once asked some people why they joined the club. Some said "Da'wah". Some others said "for speaking skills". Others said "because debaters are awesome people" *lol.


I also asked some others why they don't join debate. Some said because "Islam promotes the least of debates" "Parents encourage me not to join because of my bad results" "I'm bad in time-management"


But actually, Islam does not forbid this form of intellectual discourse.
Islam forbids arguments which may lead to fights. There's a difference.


Ayat: An-Nahl : 125

Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.

Serulah ke jalan Tuhanmu (wahai Muhammad) dengan hikmat kebijaksanaan dan nasihat pengajaran yang baik, dan berbahaslah dengan mereka (yang engkau serukan itu) dengan cara yang lebih baik sesungguhnya Tuhanmu Dialah jua yang lebih mengetahui akan orangyang sesat dari jalanNya, dan Dialah jua yang lebih mengetahui akan orang-orang yang mendapat hidayah pertunjuk

Dr Aidh Abdullah Al-Qarni also says

"we should start respecting other people's right to say because we will not be eternally right"