Islamic Pluralism: Qur'anic and Prophetic Teachings on Peace with Other Faiths

Much of Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia are facing an influx of people of different religions, cultures, and ethnicities. This rapid increase has created a problem of integration, resulting in conflicts and, at times, xenophobia.

We all have to find a way to live alongside individuals and groups who are different than us in their faith, culture, race, and ethnicity. Pluralism is the idea that different religious, cultural, and philosophical beliefs can coexist in a mutually supportive environment.

The followers of many religions and a significant majority of Muslims insisted that salvation was for them and them alone. The Quran embraces pluralism. God says in the Quran, "O mankind, indeed we have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." (Quran 49:13).

According to this verse, there is equality among all human beings and an acceptance of diversity. No person is superior to another person except for moral superiority. Human diversity is a manifestation of the divine will.

The Quran says, If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single community, but (God's plan is) to test you in what He has given you: so, excel one another in good deeds. You will return to God, and Allah will show you the Truth of the matters in which you dispute."; (Quran 5:48).

According to Quranic verses and prophetic teachings, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and other faiths are all equally worthy and true religions. The Quran does not allow any dogmatic assertions or condemnations of one religion or another. The Quran speaks to humanity as a whole? It speaks to communities, Nations, families, and individuals.

Today, the world is in a catastrophic situation due to rising racism, intolerance, extremism, and sectarian divide. We need a change by adopting the concept of pluralism and living together in peace and harmony.

The Quran sets a general rule for the Muslim community, and it says, "O you who believe! No one should ridicule others, for they may be better than they appear... Do not speak ill of one another, nor insult one another ... And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another...." (49:11-12). "Let not the hatred of some people lead you away from being just. Be, for this is closer to piety, and fear Allah." (5:8)

PLURALISM in Quran: If God had willed, all humanity would have been of one single community (this means diversity is part of God's creation). God plans to test you in what each one has received (in the form of Holy Scriptures or Conscience. (47-57) "O humanity! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another (Lita'arafu). Verily, the most noble of you in the sight of God is the one most conscious of Him." Q.49:13 The vision of Lita'arafu is one of a unified humanity, a world in which individuals and communities come together in a spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

The Quran emphasizes that the purpose behind human creation and our diverse existence is not to foster division based on religion or race, but rather to promote unity and mutual understanding, enabling us to live in peace and harmony.

Exclusivists say that only one religion is the Truth and that their religion is superior to all other religions. Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303) declared that, outside the Roman Catholic Church, "there is neither salvation nor remission of sins." Exclusionist Muslims believe that Islam is the true and superior religion, and all non-Muslims will not go to heaven. This is the information from your report.

Exclusionist Christians believe that the ultimate Truth has been revealed to humanity through the son of God, in the Bible. Therefore, belief in Jesus is necessary for salvation and for going to heaven. In the eastern religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, there is an acceptance of plural versions of Truth.

The founder of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak, devoted himself to God and his mission to unite people who claimed to follow different faiths in common devotion to the One God, exemplifying pluralism.

God says in the Quran, "Jews assert the Christians have no valid ground for their beliefs. While the Christian asserts that the Jews have no valid ground for their beliefs, and both quote from their sacred books, those who do not know (Pagans) say the same thing about others. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ." (Quran 2: 113).

Prophet Muhammad said, "The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one." (Bukhari).To pronounce against any religion as false is deeply disrespectful.

The Quran instructs Muslims about the equality of all the prophets, "We believe in the revelation given to us, and the revelation given to Abraham, Ismael, Issac, Jacob and the tribes, and the revelations given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all the Prophets from their Lord. We make no difference between one and another of them. Authentic Hadith says: (There were 124,000 prophets or apostles sent to humanity)."

Those who believe (in the Quran), those who follow the Jewish Scriptures, the Christians (who follow the teachings of the Gospels) and the Sabians (followers of John the Baptist or Zoroastrians), any who believe in God, the Last Day and work righteousness, shall have their reward from their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." 2:62, 5:69, 2:112

The relationship between the world's two largest religious communities, Christianity and Islam, is frequently portrayed through a distorted perception and irreconcilable "clash of civilizations." The verse 2:62) stands as a pillar of Islamic pluralism: "Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans [before Prophet Muhammad] - those who believed in God and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve" (Quran 2:62).

Mohammad Asad writes: "The above passage- which recurs in the Quran several times - lays down a fundamental doctrine of Islam. With a breadth of vision unparalleled in any other religious faith, the idea of 'salvation' is here conditional upon three elements only: belief in God, belief in the Day of Judgement, and righteous action in life."

The verse does not disqualify anyone based on doctrinal deviations such as belief in the Trinity. If such doctrinal positions rendered salvation impossible, the verse would have either excluded Christians and polytheists entirely or clearly stated the limitations. When a verse is clear, it must be accepted at face value. When another verse appears to limit or contradict it, the issue lies not in the Quran but in how the verse is being misinterpreted.

Salvation, as the Quran repeatedly teaches, is not about religious identity, but about faith, sincerity, and moral conduct. Some scholars argue that Quranic verse "If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God), never will it be accepted by him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good)" (Q.5:85) abrogates verses like 5:69 and 2:62.

Exclusivists frequently cite it as definitive proof that Islam is the sole path to salvation, suggesting that this later revelation overrides earlier verses promoting diversity and inclusivity. Chronological Order: Quran 5:69 belongs to Surah Al-Ma'idah, one of the final chapters revealed, whereas Quran 3:85 comes from Surah Aal-Imran, which was revealed earlier. Scholars like Khaled Abou El Fadl argue that some classical jurists declared that a single verse abrogated as many as 124 verses advocating tolerance and peace, which is not Rational.

Christians and Jews are not designated as an inherent enemy of Muslims, but as Ahl al-Kitab( people of the Book), which distinguishes Christians and Jews from polytheists (Mushrikun) who received revelations, the Bible, and Torah. "Say, O Family of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except God and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of God" (Quran 3:64).

It acknowledges that while significant doctrinal divergences exist-most notably the Christian conception of the Trinity-the fundamental orientation towards the One God of Abraham is a powerful, unifying truth that should take precedence. "Say, [O believers], 'We have believed in God and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him" (Quran 2:136).

According to this verse, it is an article of Islamic faith (Iman) to believe in the divine mission of Jesus and the scripture he brought, the Injil (Gospel), and support friendship, not animosity. In the face of brutal and escalating persecution in Mecca, Prophet Muhammad advised a group of his followers to undertake the first migration to seek refuge in the Christian kingdom of Abyssinia (Ethiopia and Eritrea), as he recognized that the king would not tolerate injustice.

The Muslim spokesman, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, eloquently explained their new faith and recited the opening verses of the Quranic chapter named after the Virgin Mary. Upon hearing the Quran's beautiful account of the miraculous birth of Jesus, the Negus and his bishops granted the Muslims complete protection, refusing to hand them over to the pagans of Mecca.

The Madinah Charter (a document from 622 AD regarded as the first written constitution in the world) is another example of religious tolerance and acceptance, where Prophet Muhammad gave equal rights to every citizen and brought the people of Madinah together in an alliance, irrespective of their religious beliefs. The constitution was created to end the bitter inter-tribal fighting between the rival clans. The various groups all agreed to come to the aid of their allies and protect the city.

The document ensured freedom of religious beliefs and practices for all citizens, permitting them to follow their religious laws. Another example is the large delegation of Christians from the southern city of Najran, who came to Medina to engage in theological debate. The Prophet received them with the highest honors, lodging them as his guests. He invited them to perform their Christian worship, facing east towards Jerusalem, inside his mosque in Medina. This act of profound hospitality and religious accommodation is the symbol of recognition and deep respect.

The memorandum of understanding with the monks of Saint Catherine's Monastery at Mount Sinai, sent by the Prophet Muhammad, grants Christians "security for their lives, their property, their churches, their children, their lands, their businesses, and their religion."

It explicitly forbids the destruction of churches for the building of mosques, prohibits the forced conversion of Christians, and exempts monks and priests from taxes. It also mandates that Muslims must actively defend Christians and their places of worship if they are attacked, and it also states that if a Christian woman marries a Muslim man, she must not be prevented from praying in her church.

The covenant concludes by declaring that whoever violates its terms "has verily transgressed the covenant of God and has broken His promise. "Whoever killed a Dhimmi (a non-Muslim living under a covenant of protection with Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be smelled at a distance of forty years of travel" (Bukhari 3166)."

This day good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them" (Quran 5:5). This verse has immense social implications. By permitting Muslims to eat the food prepared by Christians (provided it does not contain intrinsically forbidden items like pork or carrion), the "And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you" (Quran 5:5).

In the Quran, Jesus, also known as Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary), is recognized as one of the five greatest prophets of God. He is also recognized as al-Masih (the Messiah), a "Word from God", and a "Spirit from Him" (Quran 4:171).

The Quran is the only holy Book of a significant world religion other than Christianity that affirms his miraculous virgin birth, his ability to perform miracles (healing the leper, giving sight to the blind, and raising the dead), and his ascension into Heaven (Quran 3:45-49; 5:110). Mary is the only woman mentioned by her proper name in the entire Quran. A whole chapter of the Quran, Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), is named after her.

Another verse frequently misinterpreted to forbid friendship is "O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as Awliya. They are, in fact, Awliya of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them." Quran 5:51

It does not simply mean "friends" in the modern, casual sense but implies patrons or intimate political-military allies upon whom one depends for security, guidance, and allegiance. Therefore, the verse is not a prohibition on everyday friendship or professional cooperation with Christians. The very existence of Quran 5:82 "nearest of them in affection" and 60:8 "be righteous and just toward them" within the same scripture proves that a blanket ban on all forms of friendly relations is not the intended meaning.

During the Islamic Golden Age, the great intellectual centers of Baghdad, Córdoba, and Toledo were melting pots of creativity, where Muslim, Christian, and Jewish scholars, scientists, and philosophers engaged in lively debates and fruitful collaborations. This interaction led to monumental advances in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, benefiting all of humanity.

The existence of groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram, which explicitly target Christians and frame their violence in the theological language of holy war, is a politically motivated group based on the West's aggressive and oppressive behavior, not based on Islamic theology or the Quranic guidelines.

On the Christian side, the primary extremist driver is identified as Christian Zionism. This political theology casts Islam as an apocalyptic enemy that must be defeated to fulfil biblical prophecy. On the Muslim side, the ideological counterpart is Salafi-Wahhabism, a puritanical and exclusivist interpretation of Islam that promotes concepts like takfir.

There is ample evidence that many wars initiated by Christian powers have been explicitly framed in religious terms-most notably the Crusades, which were ideologically led by the Papacy and accompanied by the demonization of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and Muslims at large.

Even in more recent times, U.S. Presidents such as George W. Bush and Donald Trump have invoked Christian eschatological narratives to justify military interventions. The framing of these conflicts as a "Clash of Civilizations" reveals underlying racial and cultural overtones.

Similarly, the so-called "War on Terror" appears to be a pretext, especially considering that the targeted nations had little to no connection with 9/11 or organized terrorism. It is clear that the enemy in the Islamic paradigm is not the Christians or jews, but rather the universal evils of oppression, ignorance, bigotry, and the transgression against God's sacred commands for justice and universal mercy.

The Quran encourages innovative and dynamic interpretations of Islam, rejecting rigid and dogmatic understandings. By embracing multiple interpretations, Islam can avoid being perceived as stagnant and inflexible and instead foster intellectual curiosity and dialogue.

While religious diversity and pluralism may contribute to a more vibrant religious culture, many religious leaders (Imams and priests) are concerned that religious pluralism may undermine the vitality of religious communities.

Religious diversity and pluralism may lead to an increasing number of people with interfaith marriages, and children raised by parents of different faiths report a much lower level of religious involvement than those raised in a religiously unified household. Muslims, being a minority in the United States and Western countries, are more concerned about the increase in interfaith activities and the enforcement of concepts of diversity and religious pluralism. They fear that young Muslims will lose their strong belief and faith in the religion of Islam.

This may be why many Muslims shy away from participating in interfaith meetings and promoting the concept of pluralism.

Despite our religious leader's misgivings, to survive in this world, we need to develop the skills to live with people of different faiths, cultures, and languages, without weakening our faith. Muslim Spain is a notable example of a community where Muslims coexisted with the majority of Christians in peace and harmony for eight centuries.

Tolerance, acceptance, and showing respect and dignity to people of all faiths are the only ways that people of different religions can live together in peace and harmony. People of all faiths need to teach their children to show respect, tolerance, and acceptance of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs.

We need to remember that all the religions were sent to earth for one basic purpose: to help life survive on the planet in a volatile environment and to promote humanity. All religions preach this, but the followers seldom follow. Respecting others and showing dignity to others is necessary to promote peace and harmony.

"Thus, unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do"; (6:108). The verse makes an important point by stating that God will judge all, a point repeated many times in the Quran.

Therefore, we should refrain from making sweeping generalizations about and passing judgment on the faith and actions of others, let alone reviling them. As Islam emphasizes, "No man is a true believer unless he desires for his fellow being what he desires for himself."