Can Islam Live at Peace with Other Faiths - Coursework Example

Essay: Can Islam live at peace with other faiths? Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Introduction If we consider social life as an intrinsic attribute among all human beings, then we are supposed to admit that people are social beings and they have to live, socialize and interact with others regardless of their differences in ideas, religion, beliefs as well as attitudes. God stipulated that He created all people with His own image and likeness hence differences in religions, ideas, attitudes as well as beliefs are acquired (Ernst, 2004). However, the most important thing is that these differences can be changed easily if only human beings can realize the importance of living with each other at peace. Conversely if such differences were part of human nature, then it would have being practically impossible to change them. The essay has adopted a contemporary approach to answer the question as to whether the Islam can live at peace with other faiths. When it comes to living in peace, religious diversity and views must be taken into consideration. The Quran has recognized this reality and it has documented it in several of its verses. Some verses in the Quran talk about other religions and urge their followers to remain attached to their faiths as well as their religious backgrounds. Even those people belonging to other religions and do not follow Islamic religion are accountable for their own actions and they are recognized by God as all human beings were created alike. Although Islam and Quran regard themselves as superlative, it do not imply that they should disregard people from other religions. Despite their opinion that their religion is the most superior among other religions, they should respect other peoples believes to live in peace with them as human beings (Quran, 60). The reason as to why Quran recognizes the existence other religions and faiths is to unite human beings from diverse background. Islam as a religion separates human beings from religion, treats them as different entities, and recognizes the fact that no society, in spite of its state of affairs, will ever disregard its human fundamental nature. Quran recognize that God created all human beings from a single man and woman and He further separated them into distinct groups in order interact and get to know each other. Quran Specifies that if God wanted all people to have the same religion then He could have done so rather He gave human beings a free will to choose their own way without being forced as far as religion is concerned. Islam believes that God commanded Prophet Mohammad to spread God’s message and he has no authority to compel people into accepting his faith. Thereby, each person is accountable for his/her own behaviour and actions; if they choose what is right, they will be impartial to themselves and on the hand if they make wrong choices they will be accountable for their own mistake and Islam religion does not force other faiths to accept their religion (Quran, 60). Islam believes that if they follow what is generally right and acceptable, there will always be a reward from God. Although the Quran specifies that Islam is the only religion acknowledged by God, it recognizes that God will also reward followers of other religions accordingly for their good actions. This verse respects all religions of the world and views them as unique in their own way that gives human beings the freedom to choose which religion to follow and help them to live at peace with each other. Similar verses of Quran advocate for peaceful coexistence of diverse religions. Other verses in Quran campaign for calm political as well social relation with all people regardless of their faith (Quran, 60). Supremacy between people is based on the faith they hold regardless of their social and political backgrounds and this will be distinguished in the Day of Judgment. Islamic religion has great respect for treaties and dealings that promote peaceful coexistence between human beings despite of their differences in faith and that advocates for calm political and social atmosphere. Quran which contains Islam teachings, stresses on the need for people to live together at peace by respecting treaties as well as pacts that sermonize for peace and does not support for any violation on the terms and conditions dictated by the treaties. Islamic religion recognizes that all societies need to have these treaties to enable them live at harmony with each other in spite of their religious faiths (Quran, 60). For instance, the Islamic society that was established in Medina was because of a treaty signed between Prophet Mohammad together with non-Muslims as well other people from the minority religions and this slowly spread to all section of Saudi Arabia. Islamic religion recognizes that when people are not united but rather separated there cannot be peaceful coexistence. Such treaties and pacts form a center of gravitation through which human society can be established and bring people of diverse faiths together. Due to respect for other faiths, Prophet Mohammad supported that there should be no room for breach of treaties and Muslims would rather bear the consequences rather than breaching the contract even when the contracts have signed with their adversaries. Islamic religion values treaties to allow for minority groups in the society to exercise their rights and protect them from discrimination regardless of their faith and this forms the basis for peaceful coexistence among all human beings and treats them as equal. Although Islam regard itself as the most respected religion in the world as mentioned before, it also urge people of other faiths to stay at peace with the Muslims (Siddiqui, 2008). This is also in line with prophet Mohammad teachings that advocated for peaceful coexistence between people of distinct religions and perform their religious rituals without being threatened by anybody. Imam Ali’s letter to Malik Ashtar addresses people from diverse religions, nationalities as well as races. The letter recognizes all human beings as servant of God and puts them into two categories; the Muslims who are the ruler’s religious brothers and who are compared to the ruler based on creation. Imam Ali recognizes the essence of humanity and people should be treated equally in their capacity as human beings and not on their faiths, ethnicity and nationalities. When Imam Ali mentioned about the non-Muslims he not only concentrated on peaceful coexistence since law can facilitate this. However, his emphasis was on the compassionate view to all human beings for the reason that they are human and this was sufficient to treat other human beings with reverence and dignity (Ernst, 2004). To reinforce his teachings, when Imam Ali saw a needy Christian, he issued orders to the Muslim treasury to pay the needy person so that he/she can afford basic needs. This signifies that although he was a Muslim, he never discriminated against people due to their diverse religious faiths. When interrogated by some of his governors on how a Muslims and a Christian should be dealt with incase they are found in wrong, he advocated that Muslims should be punished as per the Islamic law and a Christian should be handed over to his own tribe to be dealt with according to their doctrines. This clearly shows that Islam has respect for other faiths and their motive is live in harmony with people of all faiths. Islam can also be able to live together at peace with other religions by embracing dialogue. Based on Quran dialogue should be carried out in the most appropriate manner and should be derive its foundation from good arguments. God also advocated for dialogue through His messengers. He urges them to emulate the same and commanded Prophet Mohammad to hold dialogues with pagans. While in Mecca Prophet Mohammad tried to hold dialogues with his adversaries but it was impossible. However he had to leave Mecca for another destination where he could set better grounds to hold dialogues. He went to Medina, a city that was occupied by a variety of tribes that included both the Jews as well as the Christians. The dialogue was based on the teachings of Prophet Mohammad who advocated for peaceful coexistence among all people regardless of their differences in faith (Quran, 60). Dialogue should include negotiations between two conflicting parties and find amicable solutions to their problems. Islamic religion recognize dialogue as the only means for peaceful coexistence within distinct human cultures and look for ways to resolve political as well as social crisis. Islam Advocates for negotiation based on the human beings explicit capacity to speak and think as compared with other creatures. Respecting the rights of other people also forms the basis for peaceful coexistence between Islam and other faiths. The concept of respecting other people’s rights is outlined in the Quran, those who hurt the feelings of other people will be answerable in this world, and God will judge them accordingly for their actions (Quran, 60). Imam Ali noted that each person has his own right of existence and an individual should respect the rights of other people. He recognizes that God is the only who has the right over all human beings. For people to live together in harmony they should learn to respect the right of others regardless of differences in their faiths, opinions and race. People’s rights should not be ignored but respected. Similarly, Islam can live at peace with other faiths if there exist fair treatments amongst each other. Islam advocates for justice to all people at all times and stresses on all Muslims to be impartial when judging others especially the non-Muslims as well as well other religious minorities. Justice will be prevailing and will be effective when Muslims treat their opponents as well as non-Muslims even when they are hostile to them. If there are fair dealings within a society, justice prevails and people live together in peace and harmony in spite of differences in religion, race and ethnicity (Ernst, 2004). Correspondingly, Islamic religion does not allow people to insult and disregard each other in all capacities. God has prohibited the Muslims in the Quran to insult pagans as well as Christians and they should respect their religious believes. Instead of hurling insults to their opponents, they should pray to God to safeguard them and their lives. Islam does not support its followers to insult other people from different faiths. Quran advocates for all people to unite, maintain their faith and agree on what is common between them and people from other religions and this forms the basis for peaceful coexistence (Quran, 60). When there is interaction between diverse groups of people living together with their own views, perceptions and interests, then they must have something in common that binds them together. References Ernst, C. (2004). Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World. University of North Carolina Press Quran: ‘‘Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just, Chapter Mumtahina (60): 8; … and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety, Chapter Maeda (5): 8’’. Siddiqui, M. (2008). How to Read the Qur’an. London: Norton & Company. Read More

Quran Specifies that if God wanted all people to have the same religion then He could have done so rather He gave human beings a free will to choose their own way without being forced as far as religion is concerned. Islam believes that God commanded Prophet Mohammad to spread God’s message and he has no authority to compel people into accepting his faith. Thereby, each person is accountable for his/her own behaviour and actions; if they choose what is right, they will be impartial to themselves and on the hand if they make wrong choices they will be accountable for their own mistake and Islam religion does not force other faiths to accept their religion (Quran, 60).

Islam believes that if they follow what is generally right and acceptable, there will always be a reward from God. Although the Quran specifies that Islam is the only religion acknowledged by God, it recognizes that God will also reward followers of other religions accordingly for their good actions. This verse respects all religions of the world and views them as unique in their own way that gives human beings the freedom to choose which religion to follow and help them to live at peace with each other.

Similar verses of Quran advocate for peaceful coexistence of diverse religions. Other verses in Quran campaign for calm political as well social relation with all people regardless of their faith (Quran, 60). Supremacy between people is based on the faith they hold regardless of their social and political backgrounds and this will be distinguished in the Day of Judgment. Islamic religion has great respect for treaties and dealings that promote peaceful coexistence between human beings despite of their differences in faith and that advocates for calm political and social atmosphere.

Quran which contains Islam teachings, stresses on the need for people to live together at peace by respecting treaties as well as pacts that sermonize for peace and does not support for any violation on the terms and conditions dictated by the treaties. Islamic religion recognizes that all societies need to have these treaties to enable them live at harmony with each other in spite of their religious faiths (Quran, 60). For instance, the Islamic society that was established in Medina was because of a treaty signed between Prophet Mohammad together with non-Muslims as well other people from the minority religions and this slowly spread to all section of Saudi Arabia.

Islamic religion recognizes that when people are not united but rather separated there cannot be peaceful coexistence. Such treaties and pacts form a center of gravitation through which human society can be established and bring people of diverse faiths together. Due to respect for other faiths, Prophet Mohammad supported that there should be no room for breach of treaties and Muslims would rather bear the consequences rather than breaching the contract even when the contracts have signed with their adversaries.

Islamic religion values treaties to allow for minority groups in the society to exercise their rights and protect them from discrimination regardless of their faith and this forms the basis for peaceful coexistence among all human beings and treats them as equal. Although Islam regard itself as the most respected religion in the world as mentioned before, it also urge people of other faiths to stay at peace with the Muslims (Siddiqui, 2008). This is also in line with prophet Mohammad teachings that advocated for peaceful coexistence between people of distinct religions and perform their religious rituals without being threatened by anybody.

Imam Ali’s letter to Malik Ashtar addresses people from diverse religions, nationalities as well as races. The letter recognizes all human beings as servant of God and puts them into two categories; the Muslims who are the ruler’s religious brothers and who are compared to the ruler based on creation. Imam Ali recognizes the essence of humanity and people should be treated equally in their capacity as human beings and not on their faiths, ethnicity and nationalities.

Read More