📖 People of the Book
The Qur'an treats Jews and Christians with special respect because they follow earlier scriptures. Qur'an 29:46 tells Muslims not to argue with them except in the best way. Many Muslims use this to support friendly dialogue.
Muslim Beliefs about Rights, Equality and Social Justice » Islam in a Multi-Faith Society and Da'wah
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 1, 4.4 (Islam)
- What Muslims believe about living alongside people of other faiths
- What da'wah is and how it differs from forcing belief
- Why Muslims hold different views on exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism
- Examples of Muslims working with other faiths today
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Unlock This CourseLiving with other faiths
In The Multi-Faith Society and Interfaith Relationships you met the idea of a multi-faith society, where many religions and non-religious people live side by side. Now we look at what Islam teaches about this.
Muslims believe the Qur'an is the word of Allah, so its teachings guide how they treat others. Several teachings matter.
Key terms:
- Allah (recap from Allah's Creation and Humans as Khalifah): the Arabic name for God, used by Muslims.
- Qur'an (recap from Allah's Creation and Humans as Khalifah): the holy book of Islam, which Muslims believe was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
- People of the Book (ahl al-kitab): the Qur'an's name for Jews and Christians, who also received scripture from God.
- Da'wah: inviting people to learn about and accept Islam.
Teachings that support a multi-faith society
⚖️ No compulsion
As you saw in Islam and Human Rights, Qur'an 2:256 says there is no compulsion in religion. Faith has to be a free choice, so many Muslims say nobody can be forced to become Muslim.
🤝 To you your religion
Qur'an 109:6 says, "To you your religion, and to me mine." Many Muslims take this to mean that people of other faiths have the right to follow their own beliefs in peace.
🏙️ Agreements in Madinah
After he moved to Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad made agreements with other communities there, including Jewish groups. Muslims often point to this as an example of different communities living together under shared rules. Madinah is studied fully in a later lesson.
Muslims also read Qur'an 5:48, which says Allah could have made people one community but gave them different ways, as a test. Many Muslims use this to say that human differences are part of Allah's plan, and that people should compete in doing good.
The obligation of da'wah
Da'wah means "invitation". Many Muslims believe it is a duty to share Islam with others, because Islam is the message Allah sent for all people. Qur'an 16:125 tells Muslims to invite others to the way of Allah "with wisdom and good words".
So da'wah is an invitation, not pressure. It can be done by explaining Islam when asked, by answering questions politely, by handing out books, or by showing good character, since people notice how believers behave.
Da'wah or forcing?
Because of Qur'an 2:256, Muslims say force, threats or tricks are not da'wah. Using them would go against the Qur'an. Da'wah respects the other person's right to say no.
Remember the word proselytisation from The Multi-Faith Society and Interfaith Relationships: trying to convert people. Da'wah is close to this, but Muslims stress that it is an invitation only, and they differ on how actively it should be done.
Exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism
You already know these three terms. Here is how they appear among Muslims.
☝️ Exclusivism
Only Islam leads to salvation. Muslims with this view often quote Qur'an 3:19, "the religion with Allah is Islam". They put great weight on da'wah.
🌟 Inclusivism
Islam is the fullest truth, but good people of other faiths may still be saved. Some Muslims point to verses such as 2:62 and 5:69, which promise reward to Jews, Christians and others who believe in Allah and do good.
🌈 Pluralism
Several faiths can be true paths to Allah. This is a minority view among Muslims, and many scholars reject it because they believe Islam is Allah's final message.
Notice that all three groups can still believe in respect and peaceful co-operation. Differing on salvation does not mean disliking or harming others. The disagreement comes from reading the same verses in different ways.
Interfaith relationships in practice
- Visit My Mosque: an annual open day, organised by the Muslim Council of Britain, when mosques across the UK welcome neighbours of all faiths and none to see inside, meet worshippers and ask questions.
- Local interfaith groups: in many towns, Muslims join Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus and others in groups that share meals, hold discussions and work together on local issues.
Believers say these meetings build understanding and reduce suspicion. They also let Muslims explain Islam, which links to da'wah.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- Saying da'wah means forcing people to convert. It is an invitation, and the Qur'an says there is no compulsion.
- Saying all Muslims think the same about other faiths. Exclusivist, inclusivist and pluralist views all exist.
- Writing "Muslims believe..." with no teaching or reason. Always name a teaching such as Qur'an 2:256 or 16:125.
Exam-style question
(b) (Paper 1, AO1) Choose one religion. Outline two teachings about relationships with people of other faiths in this religion. [4 marks]
(c) (Paper 1, AO1 and AO2) Explain why there are different attitudes to other religions in Islam. [6 marks]
(d) (Paper 1, AO1 and AO2) "Sharing your faith with others is the duty of every believer." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
Model answer
(b) Islam: Muslims believe there is no compulsion in religion (Qur'an 2:256) (1), which means people must be free to choose their faith (1). The Qur'an says "to you your religion, and to me mine" (109:6) (1), so people of other faiths may follow their own beliefs in peace (1).
(c) Muslims share the same Qur'an but read it in different ways, which leads to different attitudes. Exclusivist Muslims quote Qur'an 3:19, "the religion with Allah is Islam". They believe only Islam leads to salvation, so they treat da'wah as very important. Inclusivist Muslims point to verses such as 2:62 and 5:69, which promise reward to Jews, Christians and others who believe in Allah and do good. They say good people of other faiths may be saved, so they stress friendship and respect. A smaller group of pluralist Muslims believe several faiths may be true paths to Allah. Most scholars reject this because they believe Islam is Allah's final message. Muslims also differ in how active da'wah should be, and in how far they work with other faiths. So the attitudes differ because the verses can be read in more than one way. (6)
(d) Plan. For: many Muslims believe da'wah is a duty, as Islam is a message for all people, and Qur'an 16:125 tells believers to invite others with wisdom. Against: Qur'an 2:256 says there is no compulsion, so some Muslims say sharing faith is a choice and the best da'wah is good character. Some Muslims, such as those who stress 2:256 and 109:6, and humanists say beliefs should be respected and not pressed on others. Judgement: it is a duty only if it is done gently, which is the Qur'an's own condition. Conclusion: for most Muslims it is a duty to invite, not to convince, so the statement is only partly right.
Exam tip
In part (b), the word "different" asks for contrasting views. Name the groups (exclusivist, inclusivist) and give each its reason.