PRINCIPLES OF DIALOGUE IN ISLAM
Islam prescribes dialogue or peaceful negotiation. This can only take place in an atmosphere of peace. One should inculcate goodwill and well-wishing for others.
One aim of inter-religious dialogue should be to seek peaceful solutions to controversial matters. Differences between people are a part of human nature. In ancient times, people often adopted a confrontational course when differences arose. They knew only one way to settle disputes, and that was war. However, democracy ended this way of settling matters and took the man out of the jungle culture and introduced him to the culture of peace.
Dialogue, or peaceful negotiation, is the path prescribed by Islam. Violence is forbidden in Islam in general. There is only one exception: in a situation that calls for self-defense in the wake of external invasion. However, even in this situation, a declaration of war in self-defense is solely the prerogative of an established government. According to Islamic teachings, non-state actors have no right to unleash violence.
The Prophet of Islam started his mission in 610 C.E. His mission was to communicate his message to people by talking to them, listening to their objections, and trying to convince them of his viewpoint through arguments. One of the initial Quranic verses revealed to him was that he should spread the ideology given by God to the Prophet among the people (74:2). The Prophet’s ideology was based on monotheism, whereas his Arab contemporaries believed in polytheism. Therefore, it was natural that his mission should become subject to bilateral negotiation. However, the Prophet and his Companions continued to perform their task as true well-wishers of their addressees and maintained unilateral peace during the process.
The Prophet of Islam would communicate his message to people, listen to their responses, and give them further explanations. In this way, his mission became a practical demonstration of what we now term inter-religious dialogue. To make this dialogue fruitful, the Quran lays down certain meaningful guidelines. The Quran says, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” (16:125)
This verse shows that one’s conversation with others should be carried on in the best and most gracious way. This means that bickering with the other party has to be completely avoided.
The Quran also instructs: “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.” (41:34)
This verse suggests that no one is, by nature, an enemy of all time. On the contrary, everyone is one’s friend, actually or potentially. This is so because everyone is born with the same basic human nature. From this, we learn that we should seek to mend broken relationships between individuals and communities and promote friendly relations, and doing good deeds or acts of service for others are very important.
Another verse of the Quran relevant to discussions about inter-religious relations says: “Revile not those whom they call upon wrongfully besides God, lest they revile God in their ignorance” (6:108).
We can gather from this verse that when dialogue takes place between two parties on a controversial subject, it is essential that an amicable atmosphere be maintained. On the other hand, if people on both sides are engaged in spreading antagonistic feelings, an unfavourable atmosphere will be created, and no fruitful dialogue can occur.
Another principle of dialogue is supported by the action of the Prophet of Islam in entering into the Hudaybiyyah Peace Treaty. This treaty was agreed upon after long negotiations between the Prophet of Islam and the Quraysh. It is a matter of historical record that the conclusion of this treaty was possible because the Prophet unilaterally accepted the conditions laid down by the Quraysh. The principle of dialogue derived from this action of the Prophet is that both parties in a dialogue should present their viewpoint, supported by arguments while remaining ready to give and take—an important prerequisite for a successful dialogue—rather than insisting on all their demands being unconditionally met. In practical matters, Islam advocates flexibility to the ultimate possible extent.
Islam not only lays down principles of dialogue but also gives practical demonstrations of it. For example, in the presence of the Prophet of Islam, tripartite talks were held between representatives of three religions—Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. (As-Sirah by Ibn Hisham, Vol. 2, p. 553-54; Dala’il al-Nubuwwah by Al-Bayhaqi, Vol. 5, p. 384) This historical event, which took place in a place of worship, shows the importance of peaceful dialogue in Islam.
The above examples relate to the golden age of the Prophet and his Companions. That is why the practice of dialogue in terms of negotiations enjoys the position of an established principle in Islam.
It becomes clear from the above discussion that the method of Islam is that of peaceful dialogue. The Quran says, “God guides to the ways of peace all who seek His good pleasure” (5:16). There is another Quranic verse from which we can gauge that negotiation and arbitration should be adopted in controversial matters. (4:35) There is a tradition attributed to the Prophet to this effect: “Do not desire or seek confrontation with the enemy, but rather ask for peace from God.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 7237)
Islam aims to usher in a transformation in human beings by introducing them to their Creator, making them understand the Creation Plan of God, and striving for a society in which spiritual, ethical, and human values are cherished. However, as this can only occur in an atmosphere of peace, devotees of God must seek to inculcate tolerance and well-wishing for all people.
