Does Islam accept pluralism of religion?

By Midhun J. Francis, SJ

Does Islam accept pluralism of religion? It certainly does. The life of Prophet Muhammad, the Constitution of Medina, and the Qur’an show Islam’s acceptance of and respect for all religious communities.

The Prophet’s Example: The life of Prophet Muhammad serves as a practical model for pluralism in Islam. The Prophet founded a multi-faith society at Medina as a major historical example of religious plurality. His early interactions included encounters with a Christian monk named Bahira, who inspired Muhammad to listen to the word of God during a trade journey to Syria, highlighting his openness to other faiths even before his prophethood. Waraqah ibn Nawfal is another Nestorian monk who advised Muhammad to answer the call of God.

Constitution of Medina: The Prophet drafted the Constitution of Medina, a groundbreaking document that outlined the rights and responsibilities of all citizens, regardless of their faith. This Constitution assured protection under Islamic rule and acknowledged the Jewish tribes as friends, granting them autonomy. It established mutual respect and cooperation principles, emphasizing that all parties would defend the city against external threats. This Constitution, therefore, described the rights and obligations of Muslims and non-Muslims, thereby fostering a cooperative society in which many groups may coexist peacefully.

The Prophet respectfully engaged with Christians and Jews. For instance, he allowed a Christian delegation from Najran to pray in his mosque, demonstrating tolerance and mutual respect.

Diversity in Qur’an:  The Qur’an acknowledges human diversity as a fundamental aspect of God’s creation, as it also affirms that all humans are created from a single soul but are endowed with differences in race, ethnicity, and beliefs. God has created human beings with different nations and tribes so that each one may acquire knowledge of the customs of one another. All people are the descendants of ‘Adam and Hawwa’ and share this honour equally. The only difference between them is in the religion. Therefore, this diversity is accepted and seen as part of God’s design.

“Free Will” to Choose a Religion: The Qur’an emphasizes that belief is a matter of personal choice, stating that compulsion in religion is not permissible. It says, “There is no compulsion in religion: true guidance has become distinct from error, so whoever rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped the firmest hand-hold, one that will never break. God is all hearing and all knowing” (Q 2:256). This verse concerns the Ansār of Medina, who tried to compel their sons to enter into Islam. (Jalal – Al-Jalalayn 2:256 ). Abbas says that “no one from among the people of the Book and the Magians should be coerced to believe in the divine Oneness of Allah after the Arabs’ embrace of Islam” (Abbas – Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs 2:256).

Kathir says, “Do not force anyone to become Muslim, for Islam is plain and clear, and its proofs and evidence are plain and clear. Therefore, there is no need to force anyone to embrace Islam” (Kathir – Ibn Al Kathir 2:256).

The Prophet respectfully engaged with Christians and Jews. For instance, he allowed a Christian delegation from Najran to pray in his mosque, demonstrating tolerance and mutual respect.

Religious Freedom and Justice: Several verses advocate peaceful coexistence and respect for other faiths, indicating that Muslims should engage with non-Muslims with kindness and justice. By recognizing the plurality of faith and communities, the Quran teaches us not to impose one’s faith on others; instead, it urges us to tolerate the differences. The affirmation that “there is no compulsion in religion” (Q 2:256) emphasizes the importance of freedom of religion in matters of faith.

Shafiq Ahmed Shiekh, an author from India, says that “Allah made different faiths and religions to test the believers to what extent they contribute positively to seek His pleasure. The Qur’an commands us to use the difference of faith to do good (khayr) and to compete with people of other faiths in doing good (khayr). Differences lead to conflicts, but the responsibility of the believers is to make use of this difference in establishing such a relationship with others in which they can compete in their positive contribution to the benefit of mankind.”

Islamic Teachings on Tolerance: Islamic teachings encourage followers to embrace pluralism to foster harmony. Ahl al-Kitab is a term that refers to the “People of the Book” (Jews and Christians), who are granted certain rights within Islamic societies. Historically, non-Muslims under Islamic rule often experienced better treatment than those under non-Islamic regimes. The Qur’an encourages cooperation in virtuous acts while discouraging collaboration in wrongdoing. It says He may test you in what He has given you. Strive, then, to excel each other in good deeds.

Contemporary Perspectives on Pluralism: Various Islamic thinkers have  affirmed that Islam respects religious pluralism.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr:  Seyyed Hossein Nasr is a prominent contemporary Islamic philosopher and scholar who has significantly contributed to the discourse on pluralism within Islam. His views emphasize the importance of recognizing and respecting religious diversity, arguing that pluralism is compatible with Islamic teachings and a necessary component of a harmonious society.

Central to Nasr’s understanding of pluralism is the concept of the perennial philosophy, which posits that all major religions share a common spiritual core despite their outward differences. Q 5:48 is his base of pluralism. In his interview with Bill Moyers in 1990, Nasr articulated his views on the coexistence of Islam with non-Muslim communities. He emphasized that while some Muslims may believe in an eschatological vision where all humanity eventually submits to God, this does not imply a mandate for conquest or forced conversion. Instead, he highlighted the importance of peaceful coexistence: “Yes, Islam can coexist with a non-Muslim world.” This statement reflects his belief that Islam’s theological framework supports pluralism and interfaith dialogue rather than exclusivity or hostility.

By recognizing the plurality of faith and communities, the Quran teaches us to tolerate the differences and emphasizes the importance of freedom of religion in matters of faith.

Muhammad Asad: Muhammad Asad was a prominent Islamic thinker, translator of the Qur’an, and advocate for interfaith dialogue. His unique background as a European convert to Islam provided him with a distinctive perspective on religious pluralism. Asad’s writings emphasize the importance of recognizing and respecting the diversity of faiths while maintaining a commitment to Islamic principles. He argues that the Qur’an acknowledges the existence of multiple religious communities and encourages Muslims to engage with them positively. In his translation of the Qur’an, Asad emphasizes verses affirming the validity of other faiths.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (1925-2021) was a prominent Indian Islamic scholar. He was a peace activist and author who advocated a pluralistic understanding of Islam. His life and work emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue, non-violence, and the peaceful coexistence of diverse religious communities. Wahiduddin Khan’s approach to pluralism is deeply rooted in the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. He argued that Islam inherently supports the idea of pluralism through its foundational principles. One of his key arguments is based on the Qur’anic verse: “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion” (Qur’an 109:6). This verse encapsulates the essence of mutual respect for different faiths, suggesting that Islam acknowledges the legitimacy of other religions. Khan believed this acknowledgement is crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence in a diverse society.

Conclusion: In the context of interfaith relationships, the Qur’anic acknowledgement of diversity should be publicized and re-affirmed. The model offered by the Prophet Muhammad calls for a harmonious cohabitation of people of different religions. This is theologically premised on an Islam upholding free will, tolerance, and mutual respect in acknowledging a divine purpose for human differences. It stands in great harmony with the greater Abrahamic traditions and other religious philosophies, and calls for shared efforts in ethical collaboration for the common good. Islamic principles support inter-religious dialogue and efforts to transcend hatred and division and call on people to work together to build societies that uphold justice, compassion, and a common pursuit of truth. This shared vision reinforces the idea that diversity, far from being a barrier, is a divine call. It is a call to recognize our interconnectedness and to strive toward universal fraternity.

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(Edited excerpts from a paper presented at a conference jointly organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery of Inter-religious Dialogue and Shivagiri Madom, Varkala, Kerala, India.)