Interfaith dialogue

Interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive, and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions (i.e., "faiths") and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels. It is distinct from syncretism or alternative religion, in that dialogue often involves promoting understanding between different religions or beliefs to increase acceptance of others, rather than to synthesize new beliefs.

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Hijab . Respect . Interfaith dialogue

Do we have to correct someone who does not wear Hijab properly or stop followers of other religions from worshipping idols? Or do we have to accept and respect them?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 3 years ago

Muslim is responsible to rectify himself and others as much as he can. Amr Bil Ma'roof and Nahi Anil Munkar is one of very important obligatory duties on every Muslim just like Namaz, fasting, Zakat, Khums, Hajj etc.

We must try our best to correct ourself and others as much as we can, but we have to be polite with others and never hurt their feelings. We have to have wisdom and good advice when calling people to the Way of Allah ( 16:125).

We are not allowed to be negative in front of wrong faith or wrong behaviour, because negative attitude can indirectly endorse or encourage wrong. We must try to do our best to help others and make them aware about the truth and never leave them indulging in wrong when we can help them. It is very important to do this responsibility with wisdom and good way of advice.

We respect every human being because Allah has granted honor to all human beings (17:70) and we feel for them and been ordered to help them as much as we can. Respecting others does not mean letting them do wrong, and accepting them does not mean accepting or endorsing the wrong.

Wassalam.

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Islam . Comparative Religion . Christianity . Catholic . Interfaith dialogue

I have a friend who is a Catholic but she is a good friend and she also respects our religion and has also fasted in the month of Ramadan. Does Islam allow us to communicate with and be friendly with Christians or members of other religions?

Rebecca Masterton, Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been... Answered 3 years ago

Yes, you are allowed to. The Holy Prophet (s) used to draw up peace treaties with non-Muslims that respected mutual rights. When the Qur'an says 'do not take the Jews and Christans as your awliya'', it means 'do not make them guardians and managers for your affairs'. You can still communicate with them, and if they are your neighbours you actually must communicate with them in order to observe their rights.