Comment Islam and Inter-Faith Engagement

Abstract

Islam is being projected as intolerant of other faiths. This perception of Islam is based on certain selected events, not on Qur’anic teachings or Prophet’s ahadith. It is one thing to judge a religion by its teachings and another to see it in the light of some instances of intolerance by some individuals. Also, such events are often picked up selectively to suit certain politically motivated assumptions. First of all it is necessary to closely study the normative and contextual position of Quran. Then we have to study certain historical events of tolerance or intolerance, also in proper historical context. Also, one has to study the Qur’anic approach of engaging with other religions. What Qur’an emphasizes as common with other religions and what it differs with. Does it find anything in common with other religions or totally rejects them? And what is its position where it totally rejects any religion?