Seminar on
“Shariah Methods of Interfaith Dialogue”
April 22-24, 2013
Seminar Hall, Dept of Arabic, University of Delhi, Delhi
The Phenomenon of
Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari’ah
By:
Mohammedullah Qasmi
Research Scholar, Dept of Islamic Studies
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
muhammadullah79@gmail.com
Organized by:
ISESCO, Rabat, Morocco
In Collaboration & Coordination of:
Islamic Fiqh Academy (INDIA), New Delhi
Dept of Arabic, University of Delhi, Delhi
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The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue
&
Islamic Shari’ah
By:
Mohammedullah Qasmi
Research Scholar, Dept of Islamic Studies
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
muhammadullah79@gmail.com
Mobile: 09457049675
The phenomenon of ‗Interfaith Dialogue‘ has gained importance in the world for decades
due to many reasons; therefore it is an urgent need of the time to scrutinize it under the
lens of Islamic Shariah.
Before venturing into the topic, it would be better to first see how the concept of
‗Interfaith Dialogue‘ is defined by the scholars.
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction
between people of different faiths at both the individual and institutional levels.1 It refers
to a meeting of qualified members of different faiths in a formal setting to discuss
religious opinions and practices they have in common, usually with the intention of
expanding their common ground.2
Similarly, there is another term ‗Interreligious dialogue‘ which is seen as a challenging
process by which adherents of differing religious traditions encounter each other in order
to break down the walls of division between themselves.3
In this way ‗interfaith dialogue‘ is distinct from syncretism or alternative religion. But,
this term is actually used by different people in different contexts as per their motives
and vested interests. This is the reason that ‗Interfaith dialogue‘ is criticized by some
religious leaders as a conspiracy designed to merge all religions into one. Certain
individuals and communities fear the loss or weakening of their religious identities as a
result of engaging in dialogue and interacting with followers of other faiths.4
Background of Interfaith Dialogue
Understanding the people of other faith around you has been a natural process of human
life as no human society can live in peace until it behaves tolerantly with his neighbours.
However, at some juncture of history, there have been organized efforts to bring different
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The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
religions closer to each other or even to intermix them. The Emperor Akbar (1542-1605),
for example, established Deen-e-Ilahi in Mughal India, a diverse nation with people of
various faith backgrounds, including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Christianity.5
Muslims, throughout their history, have been living with peace, tolerance and coexistence
along with people of other faiths. The Muslim societies have always observed religious
pluralism and the people of other faiths have always lived under their rule very
peacefully and amicably. Right from the era of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) up
to the Ottoman Caliphate and Mughal Empire in India Muslims provide historical
example of generally peaceful coexistence with peoples of different faiths. The Jews,
Christians and other non-Muslim communities enjoyed full rights and lived shoulder to
shoulder with Muslims.6
The wave of religious hatred and intolerance erupted after the western powers started
occupying and colonizing the Muslim lands. In order to establish their sovereignty they
sowed the seeds of differences among the communities of different faiths and beliefs. 7
It was the time when the need for interfaith dialogue was felt as the world was made so
chaotic by struggle of powers, domination of materialism and lack of spirituality. Later
after the colonial powers shrank to their holes and much later when the cold war between
US and USSR calmed down, Islam again emerged as the first enemy of the West. The
situation reached its height at 9/11 when US was attacked by so called Muslim terrorists.
This state of affairs led many to think that Muslim and Western civilizations are going to
clash.
At this juncture of time, the need for interfaith dialogue resurfaced with even greater
gravity as this was the only way to avoid civilization clashes and prevent the world from
destruction.
Concerns about the Motive of Interfaith Dialogue
Dialogue between individuals and communities of different faith is a natural
phenomenon which takes place at stages of multi-faith communities. The process of
dialogue forces people to examine and reconfirm their own religious identity and to
strengthen their own beliefs while respecting those of others with patience and dignity.
Globalization and the invention of modern communication facilities have reduced the
world to a village and the fastest transportation means provided an opportunity to
people to interact with each other as never before. In this scenario, interfaith dialogue can
provide a platform to understand and cooperate with each other and move forward
peacefully.
The prevalent idea of interfaith dialogue is based upon the following principles: followers
of all religions are free to lead lives in accordance with their own beliefs; and the moral
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The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
values inherent in all religions — especially patience, tolerance and coexistence – are
respected.
And in order to cooperate with the idea, in July 2008, a historic interfaith dialogue
conference was inaugurated by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in Madrid, the capital of
Spain, with the objective of solving world problems through concord instead of conflict.
The .conference was attended by religious leaders of different faiths such as Christianity,
Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism.8
However, there are serious concerns about the motives and hidden agenda under the
banner of ‗interfaith dialogue‘. According to some, this might be a conspiracy of the
enemies of Islam to weaken the attachment of Muslims with their religion as they see it
the biggest hurdle in the way of their imperialism expansions. Usually such dialogues are
arranged with so-called Muslim intellectuals who are not firm in their religious
knowledge and belief and thus fall prey to the hidden agenda.9
These concerns are intensified by the dual policies of the Western powers and
contradictions between their words and deeds. On one side they supervise interfaith
dialogue and on the other hand they attack Islam and Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad
and the Quran are blasphemed in their lands and they are not ready to punish the
culprits. This has created doubts in Muslim minds that these ‗staged‘ interfaith dialogues
are not but political strategies to serve their own ends.
Islam and Interfaith Dialogue
Nevertheless, the phenomenon of interfaith dialogue, whatever motive behind may be,
cannot be ignored by Muslims. If such dialogues will not be attended by proficient
Muslim scholars it might be hijacked by incompetent persons who will consequently
cause harm to Islam and Muslims. Therefore, it is the need of the hour for competent
Ulama to take the lead and represent the true face of Islam. It is not only requirement of
the time which cannot be overlooked; rather it poses great challenge which they have to
face boldly.
In order to understand the view of Islamic Shariah about ‗interfaith dialogue‘, it is
imperative to learn the basic principles in this regard:
(1) Islam is the only Religion Acceptable to Allah: Though all religions of the world
claim to be true, but it is only Islam which stands as final and perfect religion established
on strong evidences and solid foundations. As Muslims, we must have firm belief that
Islam is the only religion acceptable to Allah and it is the only way of life which can
guarantee success of human being in this world and their salvation in the hereafter. As
the Quran said:
}ا ْ ُا
ِ ِ ّ { ِيّ ا ّل َي ِ ْ َل
―Truly, the (recognized) religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.‖ [3:19]
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The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
}ا ْ ِا ِل ن ً َ َيْ ُ ْ َ َ ِ ْ ُ َ ُ َ ِ ْا ِ َ ِ َِي ْا َ ن ِ ِ َي
ِ َ ْ َ ِ َ ْ َ ْ{ َ َ ي
―Whoever seeks a faith other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and
he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.‖ [3:85]
(2) Syncretism or unification of religions is absolutely unacceptable in Islam: The
ridiculous theory of Syncretism or unification of religions unacceptable in Islam for
reasons. The foremost among them is that this is unnatural and in no time in the history
of mankind have they been adhering one set of beliefs. It is so destined by Allah that
people will never be converted into a single community, as He says:
}{ولو شاء ربك لجعل الناس أمة واحدة وا يزالون مختلفين
―Had your Lord willed, He would have made all the people a single community.
But, they will continue in their differences.‖ [11:119]
(3) Coexistence but not Compromise: The interfaith dialogue should be free from any
kind of compromise on the part of religious rulings even to the minor issues. A tolerance
which prevents from speaking the truth or favour un-Islamic thoughts cannot be allowed.
The Quran describes that the disbelievers wish Muslims to be flexible, but it is
unacceptable:
}{ودوا لوتدھن فیدھنون
They wish that you become flexible (in your faith), so that they should become
flexible. [68:9]
} كا ا ن
{ ا ك اى اذ ي ظ
―And do not incline towards the wrongdoers, lest the Fire should catch you.‖
[11:113]
The chapter al-Kafiroon (109) from the Quran was revealed in response to proposal of the
disbelievers to strike a compromise deal seeking Muslims to worship their Gods and
binding them to worship Allah in return, but the Quran very emphatically rejected it and
said:
―Say, O disbelievers, I do not worship that which you worship, nor do you
worship the One whom I worship. And neither I am going to worship that which
you have worshipped, nor will you worship the One whom I worship. For you is
your faith, and for me, my faith.‖ [109:2-6]10
Common Grounds for Interfaith Dialogue
Dialogue, or peaceful negotiation, is the path prescribed by Islam. The Holy Quran and
the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) set standards for dialogue with
people of other faith. The Quran encouraged Muslims to talk to the Jews and Christian on
matters which are common:
The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
6
ْض َ ن َ عْ ضن ً أَ ْ َ ن ن ً ِ ي
ُ ْك ِ ِ ش ئن ً َ ا َ ّ ِ َذ َ ع
ِ {قُ ْ َ ن أَ ْ َ ْا ِك َ ن
َ ِ ب َ َعناَ ْ ِاَى َك ِ َ ٍة َ َ ٍء َ ْ َ َ ن َ َ ْ َ ُك ْا أَاّ َ عْ ُ َل ِاّ ّ َ َ ا ُ ْش
ُُل ِي ّ ِ َ ِيْ َ َ اّ ْ َ ُ ا
]64 :ي
ْش َ ُل ِ َ ّ ن ُ ْ ِ ُ َي} [آ
―Say, O people of the Book, come to a word common between us and between
you, that we worship none but Allah, that we associate nothing with Him and that
some of us do not take others as Lords instead of Allah. Then, should they turn
back, say, .Bear witness that we are Muslims.‖ [3:65]
The Prophet Muhammad advocated reconciliation with other religions. In Makkah in 615
CE, he sent Muslim fleeing persecution from the Meccans to find refuge with the
Christian king of Abyssinia, current-day Ethiopia, as a signal of mutual trust with
Christianity. Later when he migrated to Madinah, he signed peace treaty with the Jewish
tribes and later with the tribes of Makkah in 6th year of Hijra. He also had religious
discussions with the Christians of Najran in his holy mosque. He also wrote letters to the
rulers in and around Arabia in order to convey the message of Islam.
So, following the footsteps shown by the Quran and Hadith, Muslims can engage
themselves in dialogue with the people of other faith on the issues which form a common
ground for them and which may help in promoting peace and enable Muslims to
represent Islam to others.
(a) There is no Compulsion in Religion
First of all, Islam rejected forced conversion and gave people full right to freely choose
what they adhere. Islam regarded freedom of expression a birth right of human being
and termed force and oppression as unfair and forbidden. The Quran very clearly
declared:
"There is no compulsion in Faith. The correct way has become distinct from the
erroneous. Now, whoever rejects the Taghut (the Rebel, the Satan) and believes in
Allah has a firm grasp on the strongest ring that never breaks. Allah is AllHearing, All-Knowing. [2:257]
(b) Respect to other Religions
People have differences in belief, religion, culture etc, but while following their religion,
they have to have mutual respect for others and discover a common bond between them,
which shows them all to be human beings. Islam did not create any ill-will and hatred in
its followers about other religions and their leaders; rather it pushed forth their love and
strengthened their relation with other religions by various means. Sometime, it admitted
the greatness of the leaders and prophets of other communities saying:
"We did raise a messenger among every people, with the message." [16:36]
The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
7
It also forbade Muslims to blaspheme the sacred personalities of other religions
saying: ―Do not revile those whom they invoke other than Allah, lest they should
revile Allah in transgression in ignorance.‖ [6:109]
The Quran presented a model of high grade tolerance that it regarded all the prophets
and messengers of the Jews and the Christians as true prophets sent down by Allah. The
Quran says:
"Surely, We have revealed to you as We have revealed to Noah and to the
prophets after him." [4:163]
And, it regarded the original books believed by the Jews and the Christians as divine
revelation from Allah:
"Surely we have sent down the Torah, in which there was guidance and light."
(5:44) "We gave him the Injil (Gospel) having guidance and light therein, and
confirming the Torah that was (revealed) before it; guidance and a lesson for the
God-fearing." (5:46)
Thus it extended the hand of friendship towards the Judaism and Christianity which
were the well-known and prominent religions of the age. As far as other religions and
nations are concerned, it declared that there were prophets from Allah to other nations
and communities:
"And there was no community without a Warner having passed among them."
(35:24)
Concisely, it secured the honour of the sacred figures of other religions in the eyes of
Muslims forever and stopped Muslims absolutely to abuse any religious leader. Thus, it
established the foundation of universal brotherhood, sympathy and tolerance which was
extinct before the advent of Islam.
(c) Moral and Ethical Values
The moral and ethical values like justice and fairness, tolerance and patience, good
conduct have been much emphasized by Islam. These values can form a common ground
for interfaith dialogue.
Here are some references from the Quran:
Justice and transparency: "But if you judge, judge between them with justice. Surely,
Allah loves those who do justice." (5:42) At another place it says: "Allah does not forbid
you as regards those who did not fight you on account of faith, and did not expel you
from your homes, that you do good to them, and deal justly with them. Surely Allah
loves those who maintain justice." (60:8)
The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
8
Fulfilling Promises: "And fulfil the covenant, surely the covenants shall be asked about
(on the Day of Reckoning)." (17:34) It asserted: "So, fulfil the treaty with them up to their
term, surely Allah loves the God-Fearing." (9:4)
Good conduct: "Good and evil are not equal. Repel (evil) with what is best, and you will
see that the one you had mutual enmity with him will turn as if he were a close friend."
(41:34)
"Allah does not forbid you as regards those who did not fight you on account of faith,
and did not expel you from your homes, that you do good to them, and deal justly with
them. Surely Allah loves those who maintain justice." (60:8)
"The recompense of evil is evil like it. Then the one who forgives and opts for
compromise has his reward undertaken by Allah. Surely, He does not like the unjust."
(42:40)
(d) Dialogue as means of Dawah
Dialogue can be utilized as one of the best means to convey the message of Islam to
people of other faith. As nowadays, the non-Muslims have much misconceptions about
Islam and Muslims which are caused by their insufficient knowledge of Islam. So this
opportunity can be utilized to remove the misconceptions and to transmit the true spirit
of Islam to the world. Islam is based on the principle of dawah which is another name for
peaceful negotiation. The Quran itself describes how to make this dialogue fruitful:
―Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel, and
argue with them in the best of manners. Surely, your Lord knows best the one who
deviates from His way, and He knows best the ones who are on the right path.‖
[16:125]
Islam asserts that our conversation with others should be carried wisely and in most
gracious way. Listening to their objections, the point should be made in such a way that
appeals to their minds.
Conclusion & Summary
To sum up, these are the main points which should be kept in mind in order to
understand the concept of Islam about interfaith dialogue:
Islam favours divine revolution by striving for a society in which spiritual, ethical,
and human values are cherished. Islam advocates an atmosphere where peace,
tolerance and respect prevail. It wishes to create an atmosphere where disputes are
The Phenomenon of Interfaith Dialogue & Islamic Shari‘ah
9
resolved without the use of violence. This is the desired world of Islam and such a
world can be established only through peaceful dialogue.
The phenomenon of interfaith dialogue cannot be ignored and left for incompetent
individuals and institutions to misrepresent Islam and Muslims; rather it should
be headed by proficient Muslim scholars.
Interfaith dialogue should be fitted in the framework of Islamic Shariah and no
compromise should be made on the part of religious fundamentals and its
teachings.
Through interfaith dialogue, the common grounds of ethical and social values can
be explored which help in promoting peace, harmony and tolerance.
Interfaith dialogue forums should be used by competent Muslim scholars to
represent the true face of Islam and to remove the misconceptions spread against
Islam.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interfaith_dialog
What is Interfaith Dialogue?
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110315104231AAnMRJV
3 Sandi Fults, What is Interreligious Dialogue? http://globalfaithinaction.org/what-is-interreligiousdialogue
4 Qazi Abdul Qadeer Khamosh, Conspiracy or cure? An Islamic perspective on interfaith dialogue, 27 April
2010 http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=27696
5 Shaikh Muhammad Ikram, Rood-e-Kausar, p 85-131, New Delhi 2003
6 For details see Civilization of the Arabs by Gustav Le Bon
7 Maulana Hussain Ahamd Madani, Naqsh-e-Hayat, Deoband
8 Saudi Gazette, 17 July 2008,
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2008071712004
9 Mufti Rasheed Ahmad Balakoti, Monthly Bayyinat, Sep 2008, Jamia Banuria Karachi
10 Muhammad bin Jareer Tabri, Jami‘ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, 22/662
Note: The translations of the Quranic verses were quoted from the Translations of the Quran by Mufti Taqi
Usmani
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