The Field of Comparative Religion in Islamic Thought

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is taken from “Comparative Religion in Islamic Thought” by Shaykh Nur ad-Din Abu ‘Ubadah ‘Ali ibn Juma’ah. 

The discipline of comparative religion is characterised by investigation into religious doctrines, study of the extent of their verity, the points of commonalities as well as differences among them, and other related matters.  Here we shall expound certain matters necessary to understand this discipline, its aims, and the possibility of achieving them.  We shall not try to reconcile various contemporary scholarly positions, as they range over varied methodological and thematic approaches. 

At the outset, a number of methodological questions ought to be raised: Is it possible to simultaneously understand the manifest aspects of different religions thematically and also to approach them comparatively?  And, if so, what comparative method ought to be followed?  More broadly, how might we define the discipline of comparative religion?  What are the necessary elements of such definition, that we might articulate what is necessarily included within it and what is necessarily excluded?  Then, what is the theoretical foundation on which to formulate a scholarly method for studying the religions, that is, its philosophical, social, or discursive foundation?  Is it sufficient to describe these varied religious creeds while assuming their validity, or should one make a decision regarding their error or rectitude?  And, finally, what are the topics addressed in this comparative study of religion?  This article seeks to comprehend the scholarly approaches to these questions and others concerning the discipline of comparative religion and the possibility of a thematic comparison. 

Lexically, the word “diyn” bears multiple meanings in Arabic, among them are property, strength, beneficence, worship, dominion and authority, self-abasement and subjection, submission to Islam, and monotheism, and a host of other meanings.  Among Muslims, however, the word has a specific meaning for, “what Allah Sets Forth encouraging those possessed of sound intellect to choose righteousness in the present life and felicity in the hereafter;” or, “what Allah Sets Forth seeking to guide people to truth in their beliefs and to good in their conduct and affairs.” 

Technically, the term “diyn” encompasses idolatrous creeds, those worshipping animals or plants or animists venerating the power of nature, the mythological rites of the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, the Persian fire-worshippers, and so on.  The Qur’an Used the word “diyn” for all such traditions: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ (٨٥) 

If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good). (Surah Ali ‘Imran:85) 

سُوۡرَةُ الکافِرون

لَكُمۡ دِينُكُمۡ وَلِىَ دِينِ (٦) 

To you be your way, and to me mine. (Surah al-Kafirun:6) 

In Qur’anic idiom, “Islam”, literally, “submission”, is the term for the religion, diyn, shared and proclaimed by all the prophets.  Noah (a.s.) said to his people: 

سُوۡرَةُ یُونس

فَإِن تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ فَمَا سَأَلۡتُكُم مِّنۡ أَجۡرٍ‌ۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَأُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ (٧٢) 

“But if you turn back, (consider): no reward have I asked of you: my Reward is only due from Allah, and I have been Commanded to be of those who submit to Allah’s Will (in Islam).” (Surah Yunus:72) 

Jacob (a.s.) enjoined his children: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ (١٣٢) 

“… then die not except in the state of submission (to Allah).” (Surah al-Baqarah:132) 

Moses (a.s.) said to his people: 

سُوۡرَةُ یُونس

... يَـٰقَوۡمِ إِن كُنتُمۡ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ فَعَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلُوٓاْ إِن كُنتُم مُّسۡلِمِينَ (٨٤) 

… “O my People!  If you do (really) believe in Allah, then in Him put your trust if you submit (your will to His).” (Surah Yunus:84) 

The disciples said to Jesus (a.s.): 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

... نَحۡنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشۡهَدۡ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ (٥٢) 

… “We are Allah’s helpers; we believe in Allah, and do you bear witness that we are Muslims.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:52) 

Islam is nothing other than attending to Allah (s.w.t.), the Sustaining Lord of the Worlds, in sincere obedience, without the hint of idolatry, in firm faith and confident belief in everything that He Revealed, in whatever language, age, or location, without rebelling against His Ruling, without personal distinctions, and without splintering into factions or partisans of one scripture over another of His Revelations, or of one messenger over another of His Messengers. 

Thereby, the Qur’an Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَیّنَة

وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ ... (٥) 

And they have been Commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being True (in faith) ... (Surah al-Bayyinah:5) 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

قُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ وَإِسۡمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَـٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ وَٱلۡأَسۡبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُ ۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ (١٣٦) 

Say you: “We believe, in Allah and the Revelation Given to us and to Abraham Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes and that was Given to Moses and Jesus and that Given to (all) prophets from their Lord; we make no difference between one and another of them, and we bow to Allah (in Islam).” (Surah al-Baqarah:136) 

Islam is the religion, diyn, brought by Muhammad (s.a.w.) as Judaism followed from the shari’ah, law, of Moses (a.s.) and Christianity from the shari’ah, law, of Jesus (a.s.). 

From a linguistic perspective, Arabic dictionaries indicate that the root form “q-r-n”, to compare, means to accompany something.  For example, “qiran” is to make things equitable between people, and to reconcile between spouses.  It also includes multiple senses such as achieving, reconciling, accompanying, making equal, connecting, and sharing.  In English, the word “compare” is to weigh or evaluate in order to come to know similarities or dissimilarities.  As such, they may define it as “a means for dividing things in order to arrive at a judgement.”  The term “comparative religion” is short for “the comparative study of religion”.  At the time of its emergence in intellectual circles in the West, it was synonymous with the term “religious studies”, or what is known in German as “religions wissenschaft”.  It has also been known by a variety of other names such as history of religions, religious studies, and the science of religion.  All of these indicate, to varying degrees, the intellectual effort which aims at studying religious phenomena in a comparative manner. 

In the West, “comparative religion” refers to a host of disciplines related to the phenomenon of religion, including the history of religions, philosophy of religion, religious psychology and religious social sciences.  If what was meant is that we take religions in general and religious beliefs, or different religions and sects, as a subject of study in an objective manner, it expected it would have established principles of inquiry and particular specifics used by the students of this field.  Islamic thought has been open to the religions of the world since the third century, and made them an independent subject of study and research.  Muslim scholars have set out precise methodological frameworks to describe and analyse religions, to compare between them, to record their histories, to criticise some of them.  They would define each religion from their original sources.  As such, it became an independent field with a sound methodology. 

Fr. Henry Pinard de la Boullaye indicated in his book L’étude Comparée des Religions that Imam Abu Muhammad ‘Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Hazm (r.a.) was the pioneer in the field of comparative religion, not just among Muslims but in the history of human thought.  Dr. Eric John Sharpe maintained that the honour of writing the first book on the history of religions belonged to Imam Taj ad-Din Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Karim ash-Shahrastani (r.a.), who categorised the ten religions of the world known at the time, based on a precise historical methodology.  Adam Metz said that the greatest difference between the Islamic and Christian empires in the Middle Ages was the existence of scholarship on a large number of different religions in Muslim lands, and that each of these enjoyed a sort of tolerance unknown in Europe at the time.  The indication of this tolerance is the formation of the field of comparative religions, the study of different religions and sects, and the passion with which they undertook it.  Dr. Franz Wilhelm Rosenthal said, in “Encyclopedia Britannica”, that the West recognises with all honesty that the study of comparative religion is considered one of the great accomplishments of Islamic civilisation.  It contributed to the advancement of human thought. 

There are many reasons and motivations behind the emergence of this field in Islamic thought.  It was supported by the scholars.  They encouraged creating this new intellectual field and developing it in an objective and principled manner. As well, the Qur’an often Indicates to other religions and beliefs.  Finally, the tolerance of Muslims and their openness to dialogue and debate is another reason.  All of this came to pass in a climate of great civilisational flourishing, which gave rise to a deep feeling of responsibility for the rest of humanity among Muslims. 

The discipline of comparative religion proper did not itself develop as an intellectual field of Islamic thought, as did, for instance, legal theory or ahadits or history.  As an interdisciplinary science, it naturally took place as entangled in the topics and problems of other disciplines; thereafter it differentiated itself from them in its tasks and objectives.  Those scholars who wrote in this field include Imam Abu ‘Utsman ‘Amr ibn Bahr al-Kinani al-Baswri al-Jahizh (r.a.), Shaykh Abu ‘Ali Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Jubba’i (r.a.), Shaykh Abu ‘Isa Muhammad ibn Harun al-Warraq (r.a.), Imam Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Sahl Rabban ath-Thabari (r.a.), Imam Abu Yusuf Ya’qub ibn ‘Ishaq asw-Swabbah al-Kindi (r.a.), the philosopher, Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Musa an-Nawbakhti (r.a.), Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Jarir ath-Thabari (r.a.), Shaykh al-Hasan ibn Ayyub (r.a.), Qadhi ‘Abd al-Jabbar ibn Ahmad al-Hamadani (r.a.), Imam ibn Hazm (r.a.), Imam Abu al-Walid Sulayman ibn Khalaf al-Baji (r.a.), Imam Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Isma’il al-Ash’ari (r.a.), Imam Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn ath-Thayyib al-Baqillani (r.a.), Shaykh Abu al-Ma’ali al-Husayni al-‘Alawi (r.a.), Shaykh Abu al-Hasan Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-‘Amiri (r.a.), Imam Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni (r.a.), Imam al-Haramayn Dhiya’ ad-Din ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Yusuf al-Juwayni (r.a.), Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali (r.a.), Imam Taqi’ ad-Din Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn ‘Abd al-Kafi’ as-Subki (r.a.), Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Qurthubi (r.a.), the exegete, Imam ash-Shahrastani (r.a.), Shaykh Taqi’ ad-Din Ahmad ibn ‘Abd al-Halim ibn Taymiyyah (r.a.), Shaykh Najm ad-Din Abu ar-Rabi’ Sulayman ibn ‘Abd al-Qawi ath-Thufi (r.a.), the jurist, Shaykh as-Samu’il ibn Yahya al-Maghribi (r.a.), Shaykh Naswr ibn Yahya al-Muhtadi (r.a.), the doctor, and Imam  Abu Muhammad ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdullah at-Tarjumani (r.a.), Shaykh Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Mas’udi (r.a.), Shaykh Ahmad ibn Abu Ya’qub Ishaq al-Ya’qubi (r.a.), Shaykh Taqi ad-Din Abu al-‘Abbas Ahmad ibn ‘Ali al-Maqrizi (r.a.), Shaykh Rahmatullah Kayranawi al-Hindi (r.a.), and many others beside. 

The historian of religion, Dr. Eric John Sharpe, said that, “Severe closed mindedness and partisanship were behind the belief that any study of other religions could never lead to a contradiction with Christianity.”  However, Islamic thought included, in its study of other religions, the facts of history, principled analysis, and objective analysis, which are considered the core of any comparative religion by any contemporary measure. 

The history and description of religions has occupied a vast area in the thought of Muslim scholarship.  They set out for it foundations and principles previously unheard of.  They made judgements with integrity.  The scholars of Islam grounded this methodology and then applied it with objectivity and integrity on the various religions of the world.  They had the honour of writing the history of all religions more than ten centuries before Europe.  A scholar might write a book on disputation and criticism, and another on history and description, such as Shaykh Abu ‘Isa al-Warraq (r.a.), one of the thinkers of the third century, who wrote on disputation a book called ar-Radd ‘ala Firaq an-Naswara, and a book on history called Maqalat an-Naas wa Ikhtilafuhum.  There are several books called al-Maqalat, including the ones by Imam Abu al-Qasim ‘Abdullah ibn Ahmad al-Balkhi (r.a.), Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari (r.a.), Imam al-Mas’udi (r.a.) and so forth.  Then, Shaykh al-Nawbakhti (r.a.) wrote al-Ara’ wa al-Diyanat.  Shaykh Abu al-Ma’ali al-Alawi (r.a.) wrote Bayan al-Adyan.  Shaykh Abu al-‘Abbas Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Iranshahri (r.a.) wrote Dark al-Bughya fi al-Adyan wa al-‘Ibadat.  Many wrote books under the title al-Milal wa al-Nihal, such as Hafizh Khathib al-Baghdadi Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ash-Shafi’i (r.a.), Imam ash-Shahrastani (r.a.), and others.  Yet others wrote books called al-Burhan fi Ma’rifat al-Adyan. 

The scholars of Islam did not simply stop with description and histories.  They went beyond it to an analytical-comparative methodology.  It is worth mentioning that comparison did not take a single form for them.  Rather, its meaning was wide and took on various forms.  For example, a researcher might study an aspect or more of two or more religions and compare them.  Or, he might treat one religion and study it in depth in all its aspects.  Or, he might offer introductory methodological frameworks for another researcher.  As well, comparison might mean a study of the founder of a religion or its prophets, such as a comparison between Jesus (a.s.) and Buddha or Krishna.  Another example is studying journeys or pilgrimages revered by certain religions and often noted by Western scholars. 

In their works, Muslim scholars sometimes studied religions, or aspects of them, in a critical manner.  They would analyse a specific dimension,or many dimensions, of a given religion and critically analyse them.  Among them are the study of Imam ibn Hazm (r.a.) of the Old and New Testaments; the study of Imam al-Ghazali (r.a.); Muslim studies of the Christian claims of trinity, crucifixion, original sin, and penance; reincarnation in Indian religion; and others. 

Islamic thought knows a living form of disputation, which would take place in public gatherings or elite audiences, between Muslims and non-Muslims from a variety of religious backgrounds.  This was an application of the Qur’anic verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِ‌ۖ وَجَـٰدِلۡهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۖ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ (١٢٥) 

Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord Knows Best who have strayed from His Path, and who Receive Guidance. (Surah an-Nahl:125) 

There are also debates compiled in letters and books.  These include the letter of the monk Cluny in the south of France to the prince of Zaragoza in Andalusia; and the response of the Imam Abu al-Walid al-Baji (r.a.) to it.  There are also dialectical studies concerned with refuting a given issue, or more, such as the book of Shaykh Abu ‘Isa al-Warraq (r.a.), ar-Radd ‘ala Firaq an-Naswara, and the letters of Imam al-Jahizh (r.a.), al-Mukhtar fi ar-Radd ‘ala an-Naswara.  We may also include those works compiled by Jewish and Christian scholars who became Muslims such as the two books of Shaykh ‘Ali ibn Sahl Rabban ath-Thabari (r.a.), ad-Din wa ad-Dawlah and ar-Radd ‘ala Firaq an-Naswara, and Shaykh al-Hasan ibn Ayyub (r.a.) in his letter to his brother, Shaykh ‘Ali ibn Ayyub (r.a.). 

All the Divine Dispensations, from the Islamic perspective, are true and integral, each of them confirming the others.  There are certain principles and laws shared between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, such that they significantly overlap in their law, ethics, and etiquettes.  The noble Messenger (s.a.w.) articulated this similarity in a parable, “My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner.  The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say, ‘Would that this brick be put in its place!’  So I am that brick, and I am the last of the prophets.”  This was narrated by Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (r.a.). 

The issue of integration of the laws, ethics and conduct of the three religions does not mean that the later laws may not contradict some of the rulings of earlier laws, for the Gospel came to abrogate the Torah.  Jesus (a.s.) announced that he came to make permissible for the Israelites some of which was impermissible for them.  He said to his people, as Reported in the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

وَمُصَدِّقً۬ا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَڪُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى حُرِّمَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ‌ۚ وَجِئۡتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ (٥٠) 

“(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me, and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) Forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord.  So, fear Allah and obey me.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:50) 

Similarly, the Qur’an came to abrogate some of the rulings of the Gospel and the Torah.  Therefore, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) came to make permissible all good things, prohibit all evil things, and to release them of some of their burdens: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف

ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلۡأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُ ۥ مَكۡتُوبًا عِندَهُمۡ فِى ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةِ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلِ يَأۡمُرُهُم بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡہَٮٰهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنڪَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡخَبَـٰٓٮِٕثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنۡهُمۡ إِصۡرَهُمۡ وَٱلۡأَغۡلَـٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ‌ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ‌ۙ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ (١٥٧) 

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures); ― in the Law and the Gospel; ― for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them.  So, it is those who believe in him honour, him, help him, and follow the Light which is Sent Down with him ― it is they who will prosper.” (Surah al-A’araf:157) 

As for the Old Testament, which is sacred to the Jews who believe it is Revealed from Allah (s.w.t.), it is made up of thirty-nine books, including the Torah of Moses (a.s.) and the Zabur of David (a.s.), prophets, the books of Solomon (a.s.), Job (a.s.), and others.  The word “Torah” is Hebrew, and it means “law”.  As for the New Testament, it is made up of twenty-seven parts: the four Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and Revelation.  The word for Gospel in Arabic is Injil, taken from the Greek, and meaning Good News, or Light. 

Muslims believe in all the prophets preceding our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), including Moses (a.s.) and Jesus (a.s.).  Likewise, Muslims believe in the Scriptures Revealed to them both, the Torah and Evangel, but these scriptures as extant today, and proclaimed by Judaism and Christianity, are not, from the Muslim perspective, the complete or authentic scriptures Revealed by Allah (s.w.t.).  Rather, they are narrations recorded well after the Messiah (a.s.) by scribes in their languages and tongues, and attributed to be those scriptures.  This is why one finds such discrepancies between the recessions of the Gospel — Matthew contradicting Luke, and the like.  Such discrepancies are well-established by critical Western scholars as well as by Muslim scholars. 

Various matters are shared among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, despite the tampering and textual drift that historically occurred to the other revealed scriptures.  These shared matters include belief in Allah (s.w.t.), the angels, the Messengers, the Revealed scriptures, although the Jews and Christians do not believe in the prophethood of Muhammad; belief in the Day of Judgement, the Final Reckoning, and the reward of the righteous and punishment of evildoers; praise of virtue and censure of vice; a general obligation to establish prayer, give in charity, fasting, and worship, though the specific forms are not shared; and lenience, mercy, altruism, and excellence. 

The Noble Qur’an Enjoined Muslims to believe in everything He Revealed to prior Messengers of Allah (s.w.t.): 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

قُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ وَإِسۡمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَـٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ وَٱلۡأَسۡبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُ ۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ (١٣٦) 

Say you: “We believe, in Allah and the Revelation Given to us and to Abraham Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes and that Given to Moses and Jesus and that Given to (all) prophets from their Lord; we make no difference between one and another of them, and we bow to Allah (in Islam)." (Surah al-Baqarah:136) 

Likewise, the Qur’an further Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

لَقَدۡ ڪَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ‌ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّڪُمۡ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ مَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَمَأۡوَٮٰهُ ٱلنَّارُ‌ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنۡ أَنصَارٍ۬ (٧٢) 

They do blaspheme who say, “Allah is Christ the son of Mary.”  But said Christ, “O Children of Israel!  Worship Allah, my Lord, and your Lord.”  Whoever joins other gods with Allah ― Allah will Forbid him the Garden and the Fire will be his abode.  There will for the wrong doers be no one to help. (Surah al-Ma’idah:72) 

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

أَفَحُكۡمَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبۡغُونَ‌ۚ وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكۡمً۬ا لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُوقِنُونَ (٥٠) ۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَتَّخِذُواْ ٱلۡيَہُودَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَ‌ۘ بَعۡضُہُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءُ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمۡ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (٥١) فَتَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِيہِمۡ يَقُولُونَ نَخۡشَىٰٓ أَن تُصِيبَنَا دَآٮِٕرَةٌ۬‌ۚ فَعَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأۡتِىَ بِٱلۡفَتۡحِ أَوۡ أَمۡرٍ۬ مِّنۡ عِندِهِۦ فَيُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَسَرُّواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ نَـٰدِمِينَ (٥٢) 

Do they then seek after a judgement of (the Days of) Ignorance?  But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgement than Allah?  O you who believe!  Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other.  And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them.  Verily Allah guides not a people unjust.  Those in whose heart is a disease ― you see how eagerly they run about amongst them, saying, “We do fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster.”  Ah!  Perhaps Allah will Give (you) victory, or a decision according to His Will.  Then will they repent of the thoughts which they secretly harboured in their hearts. (Surah al-Ma’idah:50-52) 

After enjoining belief in the Scriptures Revealed to the prophets and Messengers, the Qur’an Clarifies that it is the Muhaymin, Guardian, of those Scriptures.  That is, It Protects them; and It rejects what has been added to them over centuries of textual drift and interpolation.  It exposes too what was concealed of them at the hands of rabbis and priests.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ قَدۡ جَآءَڪُمۡ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمۡ ڪَثِيرً۬ا مِّمَّا ڪُنتُمۡ تُخۡفُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ ... (١٥) 

O People of the Book!  There has come to you Our Messenger, revealing to you much that you used to hide in the Book … (Surah al-Ma’idah:15) 

The Qur’an Challenges and Restricts the rabbinical alterations: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

… قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةِ فَٱتۡلُوهَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ (٩٣) 

…Say: “Bring you the Torah and study it if you be men of truth.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:93) 

At the same time, the Qur’an Preserves on firm foundation what was stipulated by earlier revelations and also Adds to them what Allah (s.w.t.) Wills.  The law of the Torah, for example, has regard for first principles of conduct, such as “Do not kill,” “Do not steal,” and so forth.  Its prominent characteristic is the specification of rights and the search for justice and equality.  Then, the law of the Gospel came confirming these ethical principles and emphasising them.  Then, it advanced and added to them.  The distinguishing characteristic of it was tolerance, mercy, and doing good deeds.  Judaism was a law of justice and equality, while Christianity was a law of virtue and goodness.  Finally, we come to the law of the Qur’an, which confirms both preceding sets of principles in one framework.  The Qur’an Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ ... (٩٠) 

Allah Commands justice, the doing of good ... (Surah an-Nahl:90) 

This gives each of them a place on the scales of values, and distinguishing between which is more preferable and which less.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الشّوریٰ

وَجَزَٲٓؤُاْ سَيِّئَةٍ۬ سَيِّئَةٌ۬ مِّثۡلُهَا‌ۖ فَمَنۡ عَفَا وَأَصۡلَحَ فَأَجۡرُهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (٤٠) 

The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his Reward is due, from Allah: for (Allah) loves not those who do wrong. (Surah ash-Shura’:40) 

He also Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

وَإِنۡ عَاقَبۡتُمۡ فَعَاقِبُواْ بِمِثۡلِ مَا عُوقِبۡتُم بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَلَٮِٕن صَبَرۡتُمۡ لَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لِّلصَّـٰبِرِينَ (١٢٦) 

And if you do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: but if you show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient. (Surah an-Nahl:126) 

The Qur’an Adds new chapters to the etiquettes and modes of virtuous conduct, such as greetings, seeking permission, etiquette for sitting in gatherings and addressing one another, as we see in the chapters of an-Nur, al-Hujurat, and al-Mujadalah.  This is not even to mention judgements on how to organise one’s life in a Muslim society, the relationship between the Muslim nation and other nations, and the political, economic and social systems.  In this manner, the Divine Dispensations together construct a religion and code of ethics.  So, it is appropriate for the Qur’an to Declare that it is a Completion of this edifice and to affirm its main pillars: 

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

... ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬ا‌ۚ ... (٣) 

… This day have I Perfected your religion for you, Completed My Favour upon you, and have Chosen for you ,Islam as your religion ... (Surah al-Ma’idah:3) 

Adam Metz is just one of many historians to have recognised that the field of comparative religion is an Islamic contribution to the world, and that it formed thanks to the tolerance towards other religions for which Muslims were known.  Islam’s position towards other religions may be divided into two: a theoretical component, and a practical component.  Theoretically, Islam declared that it was the final link in the chain of heavenly religions.  Practically, it recognised the existence of non-Muslim groups, and the Qur’an even presented the beliefs of the pagans and the people of the book, before refuting them.  As such, those who commented on the Qur’an addressed also these religions in detail. 

The field of comparative religion in its theoretical dimension has been a part of Islamic culture since its very beginning.  As such, kalam works have appeared since the third hijri century, which aimed to study different religions and sects, the history of their formation, and their doctrinal beliefs.  The reader of these works will not take long to notice their efforts in comparing religions without using express words of comparison.  So,they might say “nations and religions” or “a sect among the sects”.  So, they undertook the concept of comparative religion without actually using the word “comparative”.  Despite this, they studied the religions and beliefs through descriptive, analytical, and critical frameworks in order to point out the essential and formal differences between them and the teachings of Islam. 

The earliest features of comparative religion were found as a part of kalam works, because it was kalam that undertook the task of explaining beliefs and defending them.  However, comparative religion came to be an independent field with the work of Shaykh al-‘Amiri (r.a.), Imam al-Biruni (r.a.), and other giants in the history of Islamic thought who realised the inadequacy of the disputational mode and its inability to properly study others’ beliefs. 

We note the importance of specifying first the purpose and methodological landmarks of this discipline before specifying the concept itself in the works of historians of religion.  In his book, al-I’ilam bi Manaqib al-Islam, Shaykh al-‘Amiri (r.a.) regarded this as one of the ‘ulum milliyyah, and mentioned that it is the science through which we are able to study religion and establish it on an intellectual footing.  Its purpose, he said, was “to allow man to know religious truths” on condition that it is based on intellectual bases “which admit neither doubt nor mistakes.”  In his opinion, extreme intellectual positions, disbelief and rejection, are inappropriate for studying religion because they lead either to beliefs unsupported by reason and thus to confusion; or they lead to beliefs “which impact people in this life, and distract them from the next one.”  These two sets of beliefs, in his opinion, represent an arbitrary intellectual state, and stand in contradiction to the objectivity needed for studying religion. 

To safeguard objectivity in comparative religion, Shaykh al-‘Amiri (r.a.) made reason the measure by which to make comparisons.  Therefore, it is imperative for the historian of religion to ensure that “the inclination which moves him towards one of four possible doors is not due to the beliefs of his predecessors, but rather the result of a clear mind.”  Shaykh al-‘Amiri (r.a.) also depicted the principal objective features of religious tradition, and stipulated two important matters for their success.  The first is that the writer not undertake comparisons except among similar forms.  What is meant is that he not compare the noble to the debased, nor the foundations of a thing to the subsidiary aspects of another.  The second is that he should refrain from falling prey to his subjective and preconceived views, and attempt, rather, to approach a particular religious tradition with all fairness and objectivity. 

Imam al-Biruni (r.a.) was a well-known Muslim scholar.  Upon reading his works, most notably his description of the cultural and religious traditions of India, and translating them into English, the German Orientalist Dr. Carl Eduard Sachau described him as “the greatest mind known to history.”  Imam al-Biruni (r.a.) presented a view not dissimilar to Shaykh al-‘Amiri’s (r.a.).  In his introduction to the book Tahqiq ma li al-Hind min Maqula Maqbula bi al-‘Aql aw Mardzula, Imam al-Biruni (r.a.) indicated that achieving objectivity when writing about others is not an easy matter.  He considered it almost impossible, though he stops short of doing so.  Imam al-Biruni (r.a.) treated the foundations of the method for studying religion, mentioning that this field may be seen as a type of report.  And comparing between reports and writings, he considered writing on other religions to be a sort of reporting on them.  Thus, in his opinion, “If the traces of the pen had not lived on, it would have been exceedingly difficult for us to know of other nations.” 

However, he then returned to his position that speaking about others and their beliefs is not an easy matter, because it is something that “countenances both truth and falsehood in one guise.  Both are worthy of being reported from the point of view of the reporters, due to the disparity in their concerns, and disagreements between nations.”  According to Imam al-Biruni (r.a.), reports or writings about a thing may be categorised from the perspective of reporters or writers as being true or false, precise or objective.  Here we see the importance of objectivity in reporting or writing about others and their beliefs. 

Imam al-Biruni (r.a.) went on to say that the spirit of theological dialectics, or studies that aim to depend on the beliefs of the writer against the beliefs being studied, are not appropriate for comparative religion works.  Similarly, improperly conveying the tradition of another or imprecise engagements with their sacred texts does not lead to reliable conclusions.  The fundamental criteria of this field are honesty and intellectual integrity in both relaying and criticising reports, and not relying on words conveyed improperly or impolitely.  He believed that “the purpose” of the analysis of sacred texts and cultural traditions of a given society “is to simply convey the beliefs, without prejudice or embellishment.”  The point of the discipline remains to arrive at the truth. 

Finally, Imam al-Biruni (r.a.) mentioned the importance of avoiding theological disputations in this field.  Speaking about his own work, he said, “This book is not one of disputation and debate, so that the proofs of the opponent may be conveyed and then argued with.  It is simply concerned with relating the words of Indians, and appending to them those of the Greeks so that the two may be compared.” 

Based on this methodological framework, the modern study of religions in Islamic thought may be defined as “the science which studies nations, their origins, development, spread, and followers; the beliefs and principles the various nations focus on, and the points of agreement and disagreement among them; and includes comparisons, discussions and refutations.”  This makes clear that the science is not limited to simply describing and analysing, as is the case with Western definitions.  Rather, it includes debate and refutations.  These latter are evaluative elements which move the field from one that is simply descriptive to one that is normative.  Based on this, we might say that comparative religion on this reading is “a discipline which compares between religions in order to extract their points of similarity and disagreement; to discern what is correct and what is corrupt in them; and to make apparent the truth by virtue of certain proofs.”  All this is done by reference to the history of their origins and formation, an analysis of their intellectual and doctrinal contents, an evaluation of their social impact, and the nature of their spread and their followers. 

Historians of religion like Shaykh al-‘Amiri (r.a.), Imam al-Biruni (r.a.), and Dr. Isma’il Raji al-Faruqi (r.a.), the comparativist who produced extremely valuable studies, in his book “Christian Ethics”, and Dr. Eric Sharpe in his compendium “Comparative Religion: A History”, and Dr. Louis Henry Jordan in “Comparative Religion: Its Genesis & Growth” spoke about the possibility of an objective methodological framework for studying the religions and beliefs of others, though they admitted the difficulties and complications in setting one up. 

Despite this belief in the possibility of such a framework, there are objections and questions that arise from time to time.  These include the following concerns.  Since religion incorporates subjective elements, including psychological and spiritual ones, it is difficult for the researcher to evaluate them in an objective manner through an empirical scientific method.  I add to this that comparing religions is a two-pronged operation, consisting of the culture of the writer and his intellectual formation, on the one hand, and the necessity of engaging with the beliefs under consideration in an objective manner, on the other.  Each of these two has its own set of demands.  With respect to the first, it is necessary to take account of the beliefs and accumulated intellectual tradition prevalent in the culture of the writer, which have a great influence on his manner of thinking and conceptualising the culture and beliefs of others.  On the second count, it is important that he show due regard for the religions he studies, and a desire to engage with them objectively.  It is extremely difficult to give each of these their due, though not impossible. 

Some people add the following objection: If it is impossible for a person to believe in more than one religion at the same time, how can it be possible for him to study a religion other than his in an intellectually honest manner?  The matter is complicated by the fact that the manner of coming to know the teachings of a religion about Allah (s.w.t.), ritual, sacred obligations is not a sensory one, but rather through Revelation.  It is not easy to attain this knowledge in an empirical objective way.  So, there is no objective test that guarantees you have achieved this knowledge.  As such, how can you be assured that you have understood the true nature of these teachings?  These objections and others render, in the opinion of some of them, the quest for an objective methodology for studying religion almost impossible.  However, and allowing that these objections express serious questions, they render us incapable of studying religion.  However, this leads to a neglect that is unjustifiable on both theoretical and practical grounds. 

This is why the majority of researchers of religious thought insisted on the possibility of studying religion.  They opined that religion – even though it is essentially concerned with psychological and spiritual matters, can at least be studied theoretically by describing the phenomenon which itself consists of many overlapping dimensions.  These include the theoretical dimensions that specifies the theoretical principles that represent the bases of doctrine; and the practical dimension which includes the ethical system, religious festivals, and ritual worship; and the administrative dimension which includes temples and churches; the existential dimension which is exemplified in engineering, poetry, music, and the arts. 

As a result of his studies and research, especially the encyclopedic al-Fiswal al-Milal wa an-Nihal, Imam ibn Hazm (r.a.) is considered one of the most prominent writers in the field of comparative religion.  He made it into a discipline with a methodology, principles, and criteria for evaluation, as well as organising and analysing thoughts in the field.  This was a result of his comprehensiveness, erudition in the beliefs of religions and sects and their historical development.  The Orientalist, Fr. Miguel Asin Palacios, translated this work into Spanish, and published it with an introduction in a volume that exceeded 340 pages.  In it, he recognised that Imam ibn Hazm (r.a.) was a pioneer in the field of comparative religion, as well as in his specific critical methodology which was unknown in Europe until the twentieth century.  The Orientalist, Dr. Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb, said that Imam ibn Hazm (r.a.) did a great service to the West by establishing the discipline of comparative religion. 

In his founding of the field of comparative religion, Imam ibn Hazm (r.a.) followed a specific methodology consisting of the following steps.  He relied on the findings of reason, and on a comprehensive view of the great religions and sects found in the world.  He affirmed that all books, except the Qur’an, were exclusive to a specific people, so distortion and substitution were found in them.  He insisted on the principle that every book in which there are untruths are invalid and incorrectly attributed to Allah (s.w.t.).  And he did not recognise plurality.  For the truth is the truth, whether people believe it or not.  The masses are always more than the scholars and thinkers. 

He concentrated on doctrinal matters in discussing the different religions and sects.  This is because there is nothing in particular rulings of law that compel reason to accept or reject a religion.  Many rulings may be possible.  However, when definitive proofs are given that necessitate acceptance of a given religion’s beliefs, they entail acting on it and all that follows from those beliefs.  He dedicated a chapter to each religion, including what it contained and its history.  He then spoke of general matters present in some form or another in all religions, such as Heaven and the temptations of Satan.  He stuck to a balanced, academic methodology, free of digression, complexity and prejudice.  He adopted a comparative methodology in studying religions.  So, he compared between Jews and some Christian sects, and between pagans.  He adopted a dialectic style when discussion the religions and their beliefs, and criticised those who took on a more narrative style. 

He also set down guidelines for ethical debate: that the purpose of the debate be to arrive at the truth, and that each side must rid themselves of partisanship; that the claim being debated not be entirely baseless; and if a debater permits his opponent to ask a question, he is obliged to answer it, for if he does not, he falls into ignorance and tyranny.  It is mandatory that debates be conducted in a state of security, so that each side may offer their arguments without fear.  He further set down the following: that a mistake not be responded to with a mistake; a lot of proofs do not harm a debate; and accepting obvious and accepted premises, for insisting on denying these is not appropriate for a seeker of truth. 

The methods of argumentation in discussing religions and sects, for Imam ibn Hazm (r.a.), include an affirmative interrogation.  This is to interrogate with respect to premises and obvious matters in accordance with a method that no one may refuse, because of its being based on logic.  He believed in agreeing with an opponent on invalid premises, so that he may be pointed out its unacceptable or impossible conclusions; and asking the opponent to correct his claim or establish his falsehood.  This is like Allah’s (s.w.t.) Refutation of the Jews and Christians that the Fire would not afflict them except for a limited amount of time: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

وَقَالُواْ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامً۬ا مَّعۡدُودَةً۬‌ۚ قُلۡ أَتَّخَذۡتُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَهۡدً۬ا فَلَن يُخۡلِفَ ٱللَّهُ عَهۡدَهُ ۥۤ‌ۖ أَمۡ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (٨٠) 

And they say, “The Fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days”; Say: “Have you taken a Promise from Allah, for He never breaks His Promise?  Or is it that you say of Allah what you do not know?” (Surah al-Baqarah:80) 

He believed in stating what is entailed by an opponent’s claim to refute him.  For example, the discussion that the Torah says that Abraham (a.s.) married his sister.  It is mentioned that this refers to a relation, and not a blood sister; or to a sister in religion, as the hadits in Swahih al-Bukhari and Swahih Muslim states.  And he was firm on establishing that that which is claimed by the opponent is void of any proof, or that the proof given also proves a contradictory claim – all to refute the given claim. 

We would be remiss if we did not mention here Imam Abu ash-Shahrastani (r.a.), the author of al-Milal wa an-Nihal, considered one of the most famous traditional books in the field of comparative religion, because it summarises and refers to many fields.  It may have been that this book diminished the appreciation of Imam ash-Shahrastani (r.a.) and his intellectual standing, because there is exaggeration and some fabrication in it.  We tend to the position of Shaykh Muhammad Sayyid Kilani (r.a.), who called it a concise encyclopedia of religions, schools of thought, and sects, and also of philosophical opinions in metaphysics known at the time. 

A quick glance at the contents of the book confirms the broad coverage of the book as well as his method of summarising.  For example, when Imam ash-Shahrastani (r.a.) spoke of the Mu’tazilah, he mentioned more than twelve sub-sects, like the Waswiliyyah, Hudzayliyyah, Nazhzhamiyyah, and such, indicating his methodological disposition for thoroughness in investigation.  At times, he mentions obscure sects that hardly anyone knows.  This is also how he dealt with the Murji’ah, Shi’ah, and Khwarij, as well as other religions and philosophical opinions.  In summary, that which is presented by Imam ash-Shahrastani (r.a.) indicated the depth and richness of the Islamic legacy in comparative religion. 

The question of interreligious dialogue is one of the most researched and discussed topics today.  It is also the most differed upon, even to the extent that it leads to conflict.  The source of this difference and conflict is the broadness of interreligious dialogue in terms of its conception, treatment, and aims.  Interreligious dialogue might focus on religious problems on which the various religious differ, like the question of what is divine, prophecy, the divine books, secularism, the relation of religion to politics, daily life, and freedom of expression and belief. 

Dialogue might also concern problems that are agreed upon and that are to be jointly refuted, like fighting terrorism of all kinds, killing innocent peaceful civilians, destroying public buildings, and military occupation.  It also includes preventing killing in all forms, like euthanasia and abortion, and belittling religion, prophets, and sacred beliefs.  Interreligious dialogue can also be about current issues, for example, the convening of a conference for religions to discuss the questions of insulting depictions of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). 

As for the participants in the dialogue, they may be religious personalities that represent a religion, or they may be academics or activists, or a mix of the various kinds of people.  The dialogue may involve only two of the revealed religions, like Islam and Christianity or three, or more by including other religions.  Interreligious dialogue might only concern religions from a particular continent or place, or it can be international.  The dispassionate observer of interreligious dialogue will find that it can be useful in this distressing age.  Indeed, it is so important and needed that it might be considered an obligation. 

The Qur’an Relies on dialogue in presenting its truths, because it is the best way of persuading and the easiest path to arriving at what is correct.  It is using the mind, and sharpening one’s thought, and imagination, and it transforms bare thought into a live and clear form that leads to persuasion and influence. 

The Qur’an, in general, is based on dialogue, the following being a few examples of it: what took place between Allah (s.w.t.) and His angels, concerning the Creation of Adam (a.s.) and between Allah (s.w.t.) and Satan in Surah al-Baqarah; what took place between Allah (s.w.t.) and His prophets, including Nuh (a.s.), Ibrahim (a.s.), Moses (a.s.), Jesus (a.s.), in suwar al-Baqarah, al-Ma’idah, al-A’araf, and Hud; the dialogue between the prophets and their people, in the suwar Yunus, Hud, Ibrahim, and Nuh; the dialogue between the prophets and their children, like of Ibrahim (a.s.) and Nuh (a.s.) in the suwar Hud and Maryam; the dialogue between the two sons of Adam (a.s.) in Surah al-Ma’idah; the dialogue in the story of the owner of the two gardens in Surah al-Kahf; the dialogue of story of Moses (a.s.) with Pharaoh and of Qarun with his people in Surah al-Qaswasw; the dialogue of Moses (a.s.) with the righteous believer in al-Kahf; the dialogue in the story of Sulayman (a.s.) and Bilqis (r.a.) in Surah an-Naml; the dialogue in the story of Yusuf (a.s.), which indeed is nearly all a dialogue between him and his brothers, between him and the lord’s lady and the women, and between him and the prisoners; and the dialogue between the leaders and followers in the hereafter in suwar al-Baqarah, Saba, Ghafir, and between the people of Paradise and Hell in Surah al-A’araf.  The examples are plentiful in the Qur’an.  They present an invitation to Islam and call to debate and engagement with the mind, by evoking emotions and setting out proofs so that one is persuaded and convinced. 

Dialogue in the Qur’an is sometimes presented in a brief or summary fashion, and sometimes in detail.  Sometimes the Qur’an Suffices with an indication, and sometimes It Points to a part of the debate, leaving the rest to be worked out by the audience.  Sometimes It Focuses on the conclusions and lessons.  All this is a part of the greatness of the Qur’an in terms of the range of its style as required by the context. 

The call to Islam established by the Prophet (s.a.w.) was based on dialogue from the first word that was pronounced in Makkah on the Mount of asw-Swafa, when the following verse was Revealed: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحِجر

فَٱصۡدَعۡ بِمَا تُؤۡمَرُ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ (٩٤) 

Therefore, expound openly what you are Commanded, and turn away from those who join false gods with Allah. (Surah al-Hijr:94) 

The examples of dialogue that are found in the sunnah are many.  These include the dialogues that the Prophet (s.a.w.) with the polytheists of Quraysh when the Quraysh sent Abu al-Walid ‘Utbah ibn Rabi’ah to negotiate with the Prophet (s.a.w.) and to present him with various choices to leave his call to Islam.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) rejected ‘Utbah’s offer and the first verses of Fuswswilat were Revealed on this occasion.  And then there was the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) dialogue with his uncle, Sayyidina Abu Thalib ibn ‘Abd al-Muththalib (r.a.); his dialogue with the people of Yatsrib in the first and second pledge of ‘Aqabah; his dialogue with Sayyidina Abu Yazid Suhayl ibn ‘Amr (r.a.) who was sent by the Quraysh regarding the Pact of Hudaybiyyah; his dialogue with the Jews of Madina; his dialogue with the Christians of Najran in his masjid; his dialogue with the hypocrites of Madina; and his dialogue with his companions in teaching them and training them, like the hadits of Jibril (a.s.) on iman, islam, and ihsan, the hadits on who is bankrupt, the hadits on the river in which on purifies oneself daily, his advice to the youth who wanted to do forbidden things, and his discussion with Sayyidatina Khawlah bint Tsa’labah (r.a.) regarding her husband at the beginning of Surah al-Mujadalah and so on. 

If the aim and goal of dialogue differs between Muslims and others, like the People of the Book, then there is no doubt that the motives will also differ.  So, this raises the question of what are the motives for Muslims in dialogue.  The motive include: To communicate the message of Islam.  Because Islam is an invitation to everyone in the world, from all races, colours and groups, Muslims, individually and collectively, should communicate the message of Islam.  This is a Divine Obligation from Allah (s.w.t.) for those He Chose for this important task. Allah (s.w.t.) States: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

وَلۡتَكُن مِّنكُمۡ أُمَّةٌ۬ يَدۡعُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡخَيۡرِ وَيَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ‌ۚ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ (١٠٤) 

Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity. (Surah Ali ‘Imran:104) 

Communicating Islam to others requires dialogue and debate, and give and take, and questions and answers.  Thus, dialogue is an important means of conveying the message of Islam.  Islam is a practical call that is spread by rational persuasion and establishing proofs and demonstrations on the truth of its teachings and its consistency with reason, logic and intuition.  Convincing people of the teachings of Islam requires dialogue that is based on wisdom and good-willed discussion.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِ‌ۖ وَجَـٰدِلۡهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۖ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ (١٢٥) 

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 Knows, best who have strayed from His Path, and who Receive Guidance. (Surah an-Nahl:125) 

Allah (s.w.t.) also States: 

سُوۡرَةُ یُوسُف

قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۟ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى‌ۖ وَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۟ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ (١٠٨) 

Say you: “This, my way: I do invite unto Allah ― on evidence clear as the seeing with one’s eyes, I and whoever follows me: Glory to Allah!  And never will I join gods with Allah!” (Surah Yusuf:108) 

Some reasons that motivate Muslims to engage in dialogue concerns the nature of the final message that Islam advances, by which Allah (s.w.t.) had Made the Muslim community a witness for humanity.  Allah (s.w.t.) States: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

وَكَذَٲلِكَ جَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَسَطً۬ا لِّتَڪُونُواْ شُہَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ شَهِيدً۬ا‌... (١٤٣) 

Thus, have We Made of you an ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations and the Messenger a witness over yourselves ... (Surah al-Baqarah:143) 

Then Allah (s.w.t.) Discusses the necessity of mixing with the world and discussing according to Islamic principles so that the aim of dialogue is fulfilled: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

.. أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ … (٦٤) 

… that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves lords and patrons other than Allah … (Surah Ali ‘Imran:64) 

There are certain misconceptions regarding Islam that some people have adopted erroneously.  This requires correcting and clarification according to proper Islamic understanding.  It is possible to do this by sending to various places specialised preachers who are fluent in various languages to present Islam from its proper sources in a simple manner by which people can understand and comprehend its message.  This can only be done by lectures and conventions that use the language of dialogue in addition to the Muslim population that reside there to correct misconceptions regarding Islam.  This is done through their behaviour and interaction with non-Muslims. 

Dialogue in the Islamic view is a human necessity because the Muslim does not live alone in this world and independently of the outside world with various religions and beliefs.  Modern media has made the world a small village.  People see and hear what is going on in the entire world in one moment, so that various cultures and civilisation are exposed to one another.  This leads to dialogue between these various cultures for the purpose of benefitting in worldly things and to avoid conflict which could lead to war and violence. 

Recently, the misunderstanding between East and West has increased to the extent that violence and belligerence has spread throughout the world.  To arrive at peaceful solution for these conflicts at all levels, there needs to be objective dialogue rather than the use of force and violence.  The scholars of Islam encourage dialogue between religions for various reasons, which is summarised in the following: religious questions are an inextricable part of the reality of the world that we live in today; religious beliefs compose the background of many of the problems in the world today, since religion has a strong influence on people today and before; and religious dialogue is a necessary part of dialogue between civilisations, since religion is a central component of civilisations throughout the world and constitutes a central component of culture and civilisation. 

In summary, Islamic teachings provides a strong foundation for interreligious dialogue in general, and dialogue with people on various topics.  Islam sees that the “notion of differences between people is one of Allah’s Principles in the world and occurs by Allah’s Will.”  Related to this is the principle of “the right to choose”, so that there is no compulsion in faith. Islam affirms that Allah (s.w.t.) created people, into male and female, and into various tribes and nations, so that they can come to know one another, and it calls for cooperation and help amongst people.  The Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.) engaged in dialogue with the followers of Christianity and Judaism.  The constitution that the Prophet (s.a.w.) established in Madina contained the principles of cooperation and living together and encourages continued dialogue.  Since that time, dialogue has continued to be enacted by people of various faiths in Islamic Arab Civilisation. 

The aims of dialogue are arriving at a common view in resisting oppression and doing good.  Allah (s.w.t.) States: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ (٦٤) 

Say: “O people of the Book!  Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves lords and patrons other than Allah.”  If then they turn back, say: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will).” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:64) 

One of the goals that have priority is the goal of getting to know one another, which is achieved by knowing the other truly and by correcting one’s view and misunderstanding of the other.  It is possible to bring together in this goal between the indirect approach that arises in discussing topics that concern both sides and the direct approach that concerns certain prioritised rules and misunderstandings. 

Another aim is to cooperate in doing good and piety through examining matters of life concerning both sides.  Allah (s.w.t.) States: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ‌ۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمُمۡتَرِينَ (١٤٧) وَلِكُلٍّ۬ وِجۡهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيہَا‌ۖ فَٱسۡتَبِقُواْ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ‌ۚ أَيۡنَ مَا تَكُونُواْ يَأۡتِ بِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬ (١٤٨) 

The truth is from your Lord, so be not at all in doubt.  To each is a goal to which Allah Turns him; then strive together (as in a race) toward all that is good.  Wheresoever you are, Allah will Bring you together.  For Allah has Power over all things. (Surah al-Baqarah:147-148)

 

Dialogue of life should stay away from matters of theological disputations, especially in open interreligious dialogue forums.  That is, we should not be preoccupied with raising theological differences which are best to be deliberated among the closed circles of theologians of different faith traditions.  Allah (s.w.t.) Reminds us: 

سُوۡرَةُ الکافِرون

لَكُمۡ دِينُكُمۡ وَلِىَ دِينِ (٦) 

To you be your Way, and to me mine. (Surah al-Kafirun:6) 

The question of taking people into account for their beliefs and actions is Allah’s (s.w.t.) Domain. 

سُوۡرَةُ الحَجّ

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلۡمَجُوسَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَڪُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفۡصِلُ بَيۡنَهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ شَہِيدٌ (١٧) 

Those who believe (in the Qur’an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians, Christians, Magians, and Polytheists, ― Allah will Judge between them on the Day of Judgement: for Allah is Witness of all things. (Surah al-Haj:17)