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Interfaith dialogue is an essential aspect of fostering understanding and peaceful coexistence among different religious communities.  The Quran provides clear guidance on how Muslims should engage in such dialogues with wisdom, mutual respect, and a focus on common values.

Here, we will explore this guidance based on several Quranic verses.

Calling to the Path of Allah with Wisdom and Good Advice and Debate

ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ

"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided." Surah An-Nahl (16:125)

This verse highlights the importance of using insightful and thoughtful methods when engaging with others. It encourages believers to employ kind and respectful speech and to engage in debates and discussions with grace and effectiveness. This approach ensures that the message of Islam is conveyed in the most positive and impactful manner while debating with them in a better way.

Common Terms with People of other faith

Building on the foundation of wisdom and good instruction,

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلَمَةٍ سَوَاء بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

"Say, 'O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you – that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah.' But if they turn away, then say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].'"  Surah Al-Imran (3:64)

This verse calls for finding common ground with the People of the Book. This verse promotes seeking common ground which both side agree from their scriptures - unity in worship and mutual agreement on the belief in one God, avoiding any form of idolatry. Understanding and sharing similarities and agreed upon things between the religions make people understand foundations of religions and peaceful co-existence.

Relations with Non-Muslims

In addressing relations with non-Muslims, Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8-9) provides clear guidance. The verses differentiate between those who are peaceful and those who are hostile.

لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ إِنَّمَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ قَاتَلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَأَخْرَجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ وَظَاهَرُوا عَلَى إِخْرَاجِكُمْ أَن تَوَلَّوْهُمْ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُمْ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ

"Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers." Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8-9)

This encourages kindness and justice toward those who live peacefully alongside Muslims. Conversely, the verse warns against alliances with those who are hostile and cause harm, emphasizing that such actions are against the principles of justice and righteousness.

Cooperation in Good Deeds

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2)

This verse underscores the importance of working together on matters of virtue and piety. It encourages Muslims to collaborate with others in promoting good and righteous actions while strictly prohibiting any form of collaboration in sinful or harmful activities. This principle of selective cooperation ensures that interfaith engagements contribute positively to society.

Islam is the true religion

Islam does not subscribe to the concept that all religions are true; instead, it maintains that Islam is the final and unaltered revelation from God. While acknowledging that historically, all major religions were based on divine scriptures, Islam asserts that over time, people have deviated from the true messages and altered their original beliefs. This deviation has led to the corruption of earlier revelations, making Islam the definitive guidance for humanity, preserved in its pristine form as the ultimate path to spiritual truth and righteousness.

Allah says:

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

"Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account."  Surah Al-Imran (3:19)

This verse acknowledges the historical conflicts among the People of the Book, which arose from jealousy despite knowing the truth. By recognizing Islam as the true religion, the verse emphasizes the importance of adhering to its teachings while engaging in interfaith dialogue. It calls for understanding and respect among different religious communities, highlighting that disputes should not deter believers from the truth.

In the Islamic perspective, interfaith dialogue is not intended to create a new value system by combining all religions. Instead, it emphasizes maintaining the distinct identity of Islam, grounded in the principle of “لكم دينكم ولي دين” ("To you your religion, and to me my religion"). This approach allows for the exploration of common grounds to foster peaceful co-existence and constructive cooperation. Interfaith dialogue aims to build mutual respect and understanding while upholding the core tenets of Islam, promoting harmony and collaboration without compromising religious beliefs.