Is Interfaith Dialogue forbidden by Islam?

Interfaith dialogue or discourse has now become a part of religious work, at least in Europe and the Americas. Traditional Muslims who at one time opposed any dialogue with non-Muslims are now visible in conferences and seminars focusing on pluralism and religious harmony. So is the situation with many Christian and Jewish groups who never favored the idea of interfaith dialogue are not its parts.

However, there are still many in the Muslim and Christian and Jewish communities, especially in the US and Europe who reject it. Obviously, Christian and Jews have their own religious reasons for their stand, but among Muslims who reject it argue that the Quran and Sunnah do not permit Muslims to enter into any meaningful dialogue with non-Muslims including those who are described in the Quran as people of the book.

Those who reject the interfaith dialogue say that the Quran specifically addresses the issue of dialogue and friendship with Christians and Jews and strongly prohibits Muslims from pursuing that.

“O you, who have attained to faith! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for your allies: they are but allies of one another and whoever of you allies himself with them becomes, verily, one of them; behold, God does not guide such evildoers. 5:51”

Additionally, they quote some of the statements that a few earlier Muslim scholars had attributed to Prophet Muhammad as evidence of their rejection of interfaith dialogue. Some of these statements are reproduced here.

Adiy bin Hatim narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The Jews are those whom Allah is angry with, and the Christians have strayed.” (Tirmidhi Vol 5, Book 33 and hadith 3954)

Abu Hurairah narrated: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Do not precede the Jews and the Christians with the Salam. And if one of you meets them in the path, then force them to its narrow portion.” (Tirmidhi, Vol 5, Book 40, hadith 2700)

 There are narrations on this subject from Ibn 'Umar, Anas, and Abu Basrah Al-Ghifari the Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ). One of the early Muslim scholars said Abu 'Eisa said that “This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. And regarding the meaning of this Hadith: “Do not precede the Jews and the Christians": Some of the people of knowledge said that it only means that it is disliked because it would be honoring them, and the Muslims were ordered to humiliate them. For this reason, when one of them is met on the path, then the path is not yielded to him, because doing so would amount to honoring them.”

 They also narrate the following statement to justify their stand Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: “No Muslim would die but Allah would admit in his stead a Jew or a Christian in Hellfire. 'Umar b. Abd al-'Aziz took an oath: By One besides Whom there is no god but He, thrice that his father had narrated that to him from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). 

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari  also reported a similar hadith that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will deliver to every Muslim, a Jew or a Christian and say: 'This is your ransom from Hellfire.”
Obviously, no one can deny that these statements are not in the Quran or in the books of ahadith (sayings attributed to the Prophet). They are there and they have impacted the thinking of many Muslims. But do they really convey the essence of the message of Islam? Does the Quran really prevent Muslims from befriending Jews and Christians and people of other faiths? And does the Prophet really want Muslims to humiliate Jews and Christians? And will God send a Christian and a Jew to hellfire to free one Muslim sinner? If the answer is affirmative, then the Muslims claim that God is all-merciful, and his messenger was sent as a mercy to humankind and his message is for restoring the dignity of humanity is just propaganda and Islam is yet another religion that promotes hatred and anger against others.

The reality is that the verses of the Quran were interpreted in a specific context where even the most pious scholars could not see the divine grace and mercy beyond their own community. The Quran describes, itself a book for guidance and comfort to humanity. It invites its adherents to work for the unity of humanity, not for its division. It exhorts its believers to show respect to fellow human beings, regardless of their behavior or attitude.

The Quran specifically reminds the believers that every human being deserves a dignified existence.  “NOW, INDEED, We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life, and favored them far above most of Our creation: “ 17:70 

The Quran acknowledges that good people who have their rewards with their Sustainer are found in all religions.

“Verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians   -All who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds shall have their reward with their Sustainer, and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.^”  2:62 

“For, verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Sabians, And the Christians - all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds - no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.” 5:69     

“Verily, as for those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], and those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Sabians, And the Christians, and the Magians,  [On the one hand,] and those who are bent on ascribing divinity to aught but God, [on the other,]   verily God will decide between them on Resurrection Day: for, behold, God is a witness unto everything.” 22:17

How is it possible that the Quran would ask believers not to befriend those who are described decent by the divine himself? In this verse, the Quran specifically referred to the power elite at the time of the Prophet from among Christians, Jews and polytheists who were bent on distorting the divine guidance to serve their political and financial interests. The Quran warned the believers that such people cannot be the allies of the truth because they can compromise the truth for their gains. Did the Quran say that all Jews and all Christians until the end of the time would remain the enemy of Muslims? This is neither proved by history nor by any logic.

The Prophet understood the context of the divine message and that led him to send the early Muslims to Ethiopia to seek refuge in a Christian land under a Christian king.

Such was the respect for this Christian ruler, that the Prophet is said to have observed the funeral prayer when the news of his death reached him. Even though many Muslim scholars have tried to suggest that Negus had secretly converted to Islam, an assertion that has no foundation in any historical record of the time. It is also reported that the Ethiopian King was the one who brought the Prophet and Umma Habiba in matrimonial relations where Umma Habiba's husband who had accepted Christianity died.

How is it possible that God would ask Muslims not to befriend Christians and Jews when the Quran clearly permits Muslim men to marry Christian and Jewish women? Who could be a better friend than a wife?

Those who quote the ahadith saying that Muslims should not greet Jews and Christians, and should squeeze them on the road and humiliate them ignore the reality that the Prophet sent about 379 letters to non-Muslims and they all began with greetings to them. The idea that Jews and Christian pedestrians should be squeezed does not make any sense because when the Prophet saw a Jewish funeral passing by, he stood in its honor. Also, when some of his companions were furious at a non-Muslim for mistreating the Prophet, he admonished them to be polite. There are several examples suggesting that the Prophet paved the way for non-Muslims. It is obvious, that the statements attributed to the prophet are not accurate and does not reflect his personality or the Quranic message.

They also ignore the hadith that reminds Muslims of the origin of the fasting on the tenth of Muharram as was the practice of Jews and Christians of Medina.  

As far as the hadith that says that God would send a Jews and Christian to hellfire to save one Muslim from it is nothing but making a mockery of justice and decency. The Prophet must never have said it even if all the chains are suggesting accuracy because this statement conflicts the Quran and the character of the Prophet.

The Quran clearly states that no one will carry the burden of the other. Say: "Am I, then, to seek a sustainer other than God, when He is the Sustainer of all things?" And whatever [wrong] any human being commits rests upon him alone; and no bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another's burden.   And, in time, unto your Sustainer you all must return: and then He will make you. [truly] understand all that on which you were wont to differ. - 6:164. The Prophet would never say anything that goes against the Quran. The idea that for the sins of Muslims, Christians and Jews will be consigned to hellfire is blasphemy against God.

Neither the Prophet nor the Quran prevents Muslims from developing cordial relations with people regardless of their faith. The Quran warns people to avoid those who use people for their financial and political gains. Such people can be found in all religions and all communities. 

Interfaith dialogue gives an opportunity to every religious community to learn the truth about religions from those who claim to represent it. It does not seek conversion. It seeks a better understanding and those Muslims who misuse the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet, in fact, deny the verse of the Quran that says: O human beings! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female,  and have made you into nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another.  Verily, the noblest of you, in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all aware. - 49:13 

Similarities between the two mighty messengers of God.

Jesus is the son of a virgin named Maryam (“Mary” in English), who is a role model for faithful women. He is a prophet filled with the Holy Spirit (Surat 2 Al-Baqarah, 87) and the messiah in both religions (but the Christians add that besides having a human nature, he would be God too, which the Quran clearly denies). Jesus is the “word of truth” (Surat 19 Maryam, 34). He, through God’s power and will, cures the blind and the leper, raises the dead to life and knows what you eat and what you store in your houses (Surat 3 'Ali `Imran, 49).

The seven billion-plus people in our world today, some 4.5 billion are the followers of Prophet Jesus and Prophet Muhammad. Here are some similarities between them. These are the values that define both of our communities. Of course, these are common to other faiths too, but the two might messengers of God devoted their lives for this. Circulate them at your will.

1. Neither Prophet Jesus nor Prophet Muhammad claimed divinity for them.
2. They both said that the message they were relaying to people was from God, almighty, omnipotent and Omnipresent.
3. They both said that human beings are essentially good.
4. They both said that through dedicating their life to God, they can reach the true potential of their existence.
5. They both said that God is merciful and loving and forgiving and compassionate.
6. They both said that life is sacred and it must be protected and respected.
7. They both said that justice is the essence of one's existence.
8. They both said take care of your neighbors and do not exploit others on the basis of your status.
9. They both worked tirelessly to end the bloodshed and bring peace to their communities.
10. They both preached that humanity is one and people are free to make their choices in life.
11. They both said that violence is not the norm of human society.
12. They both said that human beings can live in peace and harmony if they overcome their egos.
13. They both said that discrimination and prejudice on any basis is anti-divine because He is the creator of all.
14. They both said that human beings are the trustees of the divine resources created in the world. Those resources should be used to help human beings achieve their highest potential. And not to exploit others.
15. And they both sacrificed their lives, their comfort for the well beings of all. They both suffered persecution but never complained. They endured because their goal was to see humanity relate to each other in love and compassion.

Sikh Massacre in Milwaukee

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah
Sikhs are not Muslims. It is not right to mistakenly kill Sikhs. Go after Muslims. They are the culprits and the target of your hatred. Sikhs are peaceful and Muslims are violent. This summarizes the level of intellect in response to the biggest tragedy ever hit the Sikh community in the United States in this century, when seven of them were murdered by a Christian White Supremacist military veteran.
If the killer knew who Sikhs are, he would not have done what he did.
Both the arguments are fundamentally wrong and if accepted they would both lead to more violence against Muslims, Sikhs and anyone else who does not fit in the White Christian right-wing republican as well as hardcore Zionist image of an American citizen.
Ignorance is not an excuse to promote and perpetuate violence. Differences in faith are not to spread hatred.  You do not have to know anything about any faith to know that violence is bad and killing is wrong.
The right response is to assert that violence is unacceptable under any circumstances. Muslims are as much entitled to a peaceful life as Sikhs and Christians and Jews are, and one cannot hold an entire community responsible for the actions of a few.
There are several causes of the growing violence in America and around the world. Some of them are simple to comprehend and others a bit complicated.
1. The culture of violence that the entertainment media create through movies, games, and role plays has made many people insensitive to violence. Columbine, Aurora, Milwaukee are clear manifestation of that insensitivity on the part of perpetrators of violence.
2. Violence in the name of nationalism, religion, financial gains, faith, and ethnicity is justified all over the world. From Churches, Synagogues, Temples and Mosques battle cries are often raised against those who are different or hatred is injected in the mind of believers through poisonous sermons.
3 Violence in its popular form is widely prevalent in homes among spouses and children and it is considered justified to maintain balance in the family by many.
4. Special interest groups instigate individuals and groups to continuously promote fear tactics against others: Jews would take over, Muslims are coming, the Russians have infiltrated, the Indians are engineering riots in Pakistan, the Pakistanis are behind every act of violence and so on and so forth. They are some of the tactics used by special interest groups to spread hatred unabated.
5. Politicians and public officials have used every single difference among people to divide and promote their political agenda: to win elections and use the power to enhance their riches and favor their supporters.
6. Failure of the religious clergy to take a clear stand against violence. Jewish clergy would not speak against Jewish violence in Palestine, Muslim religious leaders would not speak of violence against Hindu pundits in Kashmir or against Shias and Sunnis or people of other facts, the government would justify killing to protect national interests. Since 9/11 our country is responsible for the direct or indirect killing of over a million people around the world and the violence has not stopped.
7. Control and manipulation of the media at the hands of powerful who care more about their wealth than human life. Spreading of lies, false stories and manipulation of events and demonizing a people is all that the media has done in our recent times.

So what should be done to counter these forces?
 All that has been enlisted is nothing new. This has been going on for centuries and to expect these powerful interest groups to do anything different would be unfounded optimism. The only way that would eliminate the influence of these factors is to enable individuals at the grassroots level to develop an alliance against the powers of evil. Through interfaith, interracial, interethnic and international efforts people can reassure themselves that they are one against violence, regardless of the perpetrators and they would stand as one person in defense of human life. It would happen when they would have to re-educate them in their own faith or cultural traditions and purge their thinking from violence thoughts. Otherwise, today we mourned the Sikh the same way we mourned the people Aurora, Columbine and other places yesterday, and tomorrow we would mourn once again for similar tragedies. Despite the statements issues by leaders and clergy, nothing has changed in our world, because our response to these challenges is wrong.