Some FAQs Related to Interfaith Dialogue

It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad said, “The remedy for ignorance is asking questions.” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 336)

The spirit of enquiry is the hallmark of an open society, and the above saying of the Prophet aptly illustrates this principle. A culture of curiosity and open-mindedness can foster development in society by motivating its members to learn enthusiastically and enrich their understanding of issues. Awareness of one’s ignorance is half of the knowledge as it becomes a stepping-stone to seeking and finding answers. A questioning mind is like a flowing river replenished with fresh thoughts and ideas and continues on its journey.

In this section, let us find answers to some frequently asked questions regarding inter-religious dialogue and harmonious living in multi-religious societies.

Is Religion Necessary in Today’s World?

Authentic religiousness is more than necessary for this world. One major reason for strife in the world is that people have become very materialistic. Religion should aim to make people spiritual instead of materialistic. To create a peaceful society, people need to become more spiritual. 

Religion is meant to be a spiritual discipline. The sole objective of religion should be to develop a person spiritually so that he can live with a positive mindset that is duty-conscious rather than rights-conscious. Such a person is free from greed and hate and is capable of assessing things objectively. He possesses a predictable character. This kind of personality is the greatest need of the present age.

Who is Responsible for the World’s Chaos:
Religion or Humans?

The source of chaos in the world is the misuse of their free will by human beings. God bestowed free will upon humanity to put us to the test in this world. Misusing God-given free will creates all kinds of problems in society. Evil is not a part of creation. It is a result of the misuse of free will by man.

Will the World be More Peaceful Without Religion?

Religions and cultures are a must for the society. However, it must be understood that the values required for a peaceful society do not come about independently. For many people, they come from religion. For millions of people, religion is a principal source of these values.

It is a mistake to believe that the world would be a more peaceful place if there were just one culture or just one language. This will never happen because people will likely still misuse their God-given free will even if there is just one culture or language.

Does Religion Produce Hardliners?

Hardliners are not products of authentic religiousness but, rather, of erroneous interpretations of religion. If religion is thought of simply in terms of external forms, it often makes a person a hardliner. However, if religion is understood in terms of its essence and spiritual aspect, it can help people become universal, broadminded, kind-hearted, compassionate, and tolerant—and that should be the purpose of following a religion.

I believe that religion in itself is not a problem. The problem is the erroneous interpretations of religion by some people and elements. Hence, the exploitation and erroneous interpretation of religion, rather than religion itself, must be overcome.

If all Religions Claim they are Right, How can their Adherents Peacefully Coexist?

Once, when discussing this point with me, a religious scholar said, “We have been attempting to bring about interreligious harmony for the last one hundred years, but the results have been quite dismal. It would seem that there are insurmountable obstacles in the way.”

I replied that the goal we want to attain is certainly a proper one; it is simply that the strategy employed is impracticable.

Harmony between adherents of different religions is, without a doubt, a desirable objective. In my view, the only way to achieve this is to encourage people to respect other people’s beliefs and be humanitarian at all times in their dealings with them. It should never be thought that the goal of harmony between adherents of different religions is unattainable simply because people’s religious beliefs differ. It is possible to promote harmony between the adherents of different religions or belief systems if we adopt a realistic approach and accept ideological differences as a fact of life. Having accepted these differences, adherents of religion should follow a tolerance policy and respect each other.

In my opinion, this is the way for the peaceful coexistence of adherents of different religions.

What is Your View About those Who Condemn People of Other Faiths?

Condemnation is not the right method. The right method is based on speaking out of well-wishing for others. Speaking about others without wishing well for them leads to strife. It has no positive outcome.

Why have Muslims Launched So Few True Interfaith Dialogue Initiatives?

Many Muslims are concerned only with Muslim community-related issues rather than inter-religious issues. One reason for this is that after the fall of the Muslim empires in different parts of the world, large sections of Muslims started a campaign to regain what they regarded as their past political glory. This thinking has become so pervasive that even many supposedly well-educated Muslims are not an exception to this kind of mentality. It is this mentality that is mainly the reason for the present scenario.

What is the Real Message of the Quran,
The Torah, and the New Testament?

The common message of these three religious scriptures is monotheism or the concept of the Oneness of God. There is a verse in the Quran (2:62) that states: “The believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabaeans, all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good deeds, will be rewarded by their Lord; they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

According to this verse, only true faith and righteous actions are rewarded with salvation. This rule applies consistently to every community. Therefore, God elevates to a high rank only those who have sought to mould their lives according to His Divine scheme.

Is Islam a Religion of Peace or Does it Sanction Violence?

Islam is a religion of peace in the complete sense of the word. In my opinion, there is only one reason why Islam is being perceived as a religion of violence in the 21st century: the self-styled concept of jihad among a section of present-day Muslims. All other issues of intolerance, extremism, and violence have branched out from their misconceptions about jihad.

Trying to establish the rules of Shariah by force or through coercion is also an offshoot of this wrong concept of jihad. This concept is rooted in the political interpretation of Islam, which has no basis at all in Islam. It is a misinterpretation of Islam’s sources. It is a case of political extremism. The Quran instructs the believers not to be extremists in religion: “Commit no excesses in your religion.” (4:171)

The teachings of Islam are a subject of self-following, while the political interpretation of Islam has wrongly projected them as a subject of implementation on others by force. Muslim extremism emanating from the political interpretation of Islam has no sanction in Islamic scriptures. It is a gross error of interpretation.

Through my writings, I have shown the errors of the political misinterpretation of Islam. Once people understand that Islam does not sanction this interpretation and the violence it leads to, they generally stop supporting this ideology. As a result of such awakening, thousands of people have left extremism and have started peaceful work for constructive goals, such as in the fields of education and calling people to God.

A most essential point for Muslims today is understanding the importance of peace. The present age is an age of peace. In present times, one can achieve everything one seeks using peaceful methods. This is a basic issue that needs to be understood.

Muslims must also disown the terrorism done in the name of Islam and present the true, peaceful picture of Islam before fellow Muslims and others.

Does the Quran Teach Muslims to be Violent?

Some people use certain verses in the Quran to project the claim that Islam is a religion of war and violence. However, this is false and misleading. The fact is that these verses relate, in a restricted sense, to those who unilaterally attacked Muslims. They do not convey a general commandment of Islam.

The Quran was revealed from time to time, according to the circumstances, over 23 years. If this is divided into years of war and peace, the period of peace amounts to 20 years while that of war amounts only to 3 years. Therefore, the revelations during the 20 peaceful years were the peaceful teachings of Islam as are contained in verses regarding the realization of God, worship, morality, justice, etc.

This division of commandments into different categories is natural and is found in several other religious books.

When the Prophet of Islam emigrated from Makkah to Madinah, the unbelieving tribes were aggressive toward him. However, the Prophet averted their attacks by the exercise of patience and the strategy of avoidance. However, on certain occasions, no other option existed save that of retaliation. Therefore, he had to do battle on such occasions. It was these circumstances which occasioned certain revelations relating to war. These commandments, being specific to certain circumstances, had no general application. They were not meant to be valid for all time to come. That is why the permanent status of the Prophet has been termed a “mercy for all humankind” (21:107).

What does the Quran State about  Killing
Human Beings?

The Quran states: “If someone kills another person unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption on the earth, it is as if he had murdered all mankind.” (5:32)

Considering murder as a horrendous act, Islam states that killing a single person without proven justification is equal to killing all human beings. Killing one human being is just as horrendous as killing all human beings.  Such a killing breaks all traditions of respect for life.

The above Quranic verse shows the great importance of peace and security in Islam. If someone is unjustly killed, it should be treated as a matter of the greatest urgency, as if all of humanity were under attack.

What is Islam’s Stance on Terrorism and
Suicide Bombings?

According to the teachings of Islam, Muslims are not permitted to commit suicide bombings. It is forbidden in Islam. Strapping explosives on oneself and hurling oneself upon others to destroy them and kill oneself deliberately is un-Islamic. Such an action represents a misinterpretation of the term shahadat. According to Islamic teachings, one cannot deliberately court a martyr’s death. The fact is that suicide is forbidden (haraam) in Islam. Under no circumstances whatsoever is committing suicide lawful, according to Islam. It is forbidden to the point where, if someone is dying and, certainly, he will not survive, even in his final moments, Islam does not allow him to take his own life.

What do Muslims Need to do to Overcome Islamophobia?

I do not believe that ‘Islamophobia’ actually exists. The irony is that other communities have not coined this term—Muslims themselves have so named it. Thus, ‘Islamophobia’ is an allegation, not a real phenomenon.

The facts in this matter are contrary to what Muslims generally think. The resentment many non-Muslims have is against certain attitudes and behaviours of Muslims. If Muslims introspect and rectify themselves, they would no longer remain a problem community for anyone. No longer would others have a negative view of them.

What is needed is for Muslims to reform themselves, and then everything, including other peoples’ negative perceptions about Muslims and Islam, will be settled. It is a two-point formula: first, Muslims must admit that the phenomenon is ‘Muslim-phobia’ and not ‘Islamophobia’. Second, they must reform themselves—their attitude and their behaviour. Right-thinking Muslims must educate other Muslims in this regard.

Is Islam Intolerant of Other Religions?

Islam is not intolerant of other religions. Many Muslims, however, do behave intolerantly, thus giving Islam a bad name.

Islam teaches its adherents to give respect to others, to be tolerant of and to engage in dialogue with people of other faiths.

Is it Permissible for Muslims to Wish
Non-Muslims on their Festivals?

Absolutely! Opportunities for engaging in interaction should never be lost. Greeting others is a part of social ethics.

How should Muslims Treat Non-Muslims Living In Muslim-Majority Countries?

Today, we live in a world of equal citizenship. Any categorization of and discrimination against citizens of a country based on their religion or community is wrong. A person should be regarded as either an immigrant to a country or a citizen of that country, without their religion making a difference to their status. This is the universal norm, and Muslim-majority countries should adopt this principle. They should not differentiate among people based on religion and community. Such a thing would be unacceptable to the modern mind.

Does Islam Deny Religious Freedom to Others?

Religious freedom is a basic human right. The Quran states: “There shall be no coercion in matters of religion.” (2:256) The Quran also states: “You have your religion, and I have mine.” (109:6) The principle we obtain from the above verses can be termed religious freedom.

With the advent of Islam in the seventh century C.E., it was declared for the benefit of humanity that all greatness was God’s exclusive prerogative and that in God’s eyes, all human beings were equal. Therefore, the Prophet sought to transform society with the idea of human equality.

One must consider all human beings as equal, as equally deserving of respect, and as worthy of religious freedom.

How can People Live in Harmony in Globalized, Pluralistic Societies?

Global societies are plural, being multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural. What the world needs today—perhaps more than anything else—is an acceptable formula for creating harmony in plural societies. In my opinion, harmony between adherents of different religions is necessary for creating harmony in today’s globalized societies.

There are more than a dozen major religions in the world. How can there be harmony in the multi-religious societies of the world? According to my study, the only way for this is to engender a feeling of religious tolerance and full respect for other people’s religious convictions. Everyone should be entitled to follow what they think is best for their inner solace and follow it as necessary. However, this should not prejudice their opinions regarding other people’s beliefs. On the contrary, there should be mutual respect for one another.

What is the Formula to Promote Harmony Between Adherents of Different Religions?

There are about a dozen major religions worldwide and innumerable smaller religions and sects. Differences and disagreements might occasionally arise that can sometimes lead to conflict. So, how can we create an atmosphere of acceptance among the adherents of these religions to live in peace and harmony?

Two solutions are often offered in this regard: (1) Removing religion altogether and (2) Accepting all religions as equally true and thus as the same.

Removing religion altogether, even if it is possible (which is not), will not solve anything. The urge to believe in a greater power is strongly inherent in human nature, and human nature cannot be changed. On the other hand, the idea that all religions are identical does not accord with facts and also may not give inner conviction to a person who believes in a particular religion.

Hence, the only workable solution lies in adopting a policy of religious tolerance and respect for other people’s religious convictions. Everyone should be entitled to follow what they think is best and profess their belief in it while respecting the beliefs of others. This is based on the principle of mutual respect which is the way to promote harmony between people who subscribe to different belief systems.

What is a Practicable Formula for Living Peacefully in Multi-Religious Societies?

Today, we all live in pluralistic societies, with members of different religious backgrounds closely interconnected. Therefore, to live in harmony, they need to interact closely, learn from each other, and benefit from the good they have to offer while being committed to the formula ‘Live and let live’.

How should We Live in a Multi-Religious Society?

In my view, the way to live harmoniously in a multi-religious society is by learning the art of difference management. Every religion gives us principles for this. In any country, maintaining peace and harmony in society needs the efforts of the official administration and non-governmental agencies—individuals, organizations, or social groups. They should work together to inculcate the spirit of patience, tolerance, and wishing well for other people. This can lay the foundation for peace and harmony globally.

What is the Purpose of Inter-Religious Dialogue?

A. One purpose of inter-religious dialogue, or dialogue between members of different religious communities, is for dialogue partners to develop respect for each other, show kindness and forbearance towards each other, and understand and learn from each other’s ideas, insights, and experiences. In this way, they can grow as human persons. In addition, such dialogue can help them evolve spiritually and intellectually.

What is the Importance of Tolerance in Maintaining Positive Inter-Religious Relations?

A harmonious society is formed by tolerating various viewpoints rather than by bulldozing. The right way to engender tolerance in a society is to bring about the kind of intellectual awakening among people in general that will make them realize that whatever the circumstances, they need to live in this world through an adjustment with and respect for others, including those whose religious beliefs and practices are different from theirs. In this world, the recipe for a peaceful life is to keep all differences on a strictly intellectual plane so that they may not lead to conflict in practical life.

How can Trust be Built Between People of Different Religious Communities?

Trust does not happen simply by saying, ‘Please trust each other. For this, people need to remove the negativity that they may have for others from their hearts. Once these negative emotions are removed, feelings of trust will blossom.

Can You Share Some Details of Your Involvement in Inter-Religious Dialogue?

Over the years, I have participated in many such initiatives in different countries. The gist of my contribution has been that while religious uniformity is not possible, what is indeed possible is a formula for harmony between people from different religious backgrounds. Moreover, this formula, according to my experience, is only one. It is based on mutual respect and mutual learning.

Should We Judge Interfaith Efforts Based on Immediate Results?

We should not judge efforts to promote inter-religious dialogue only by the immediate results of formally arranged inter-religious dialogue events. The truth is that inter-religious dialogue is not limited to specific meetings involving ‘experts’ in the field of religion. Inter-religious dialogue has assumed the form of a vast historical process—spontaneous and ongoing.  The time has now come when it has become a part of a global movement.

If the course of events is any indication, God willing, a day will dawn when the world is no more ridden with religious and other such disputes, and the global human family can live together in peace and harmony. Inter-religious dialogue is likely to play a key role in ushering in such a day.

What are Some Things People of Different Faiths Can Learn from Each Other?

Life is all about mutual learning. All of us should interact and learn from one another. Learning is a process and is not restricted only to some specific issues. One should imbibe the spirit of learning and learn from one and all. By being different, each person has experiences to share and learnings to offer to others. We can learn from everyone, no matter their religion or belief system.

Learning is a continuous process. Learning has no limits. Even if you think you have found the truth with the capital T, you can still learn from others without losing your conviction.

About myself, I can say that although I am convinced about my convictions when I listen to other people expressing their points of view, I do so with an objective mind and seek to learn from them. This nature of mine has greatly benefited me in gaining wisdom and developing intellectually.