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Interactions with the followers of other Religions
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In the Qur’an God says: "This is the Book; wherein there is no doubt; a guidance to those who fear God" (2:2). Later it
is explained that these pious ones are those: "Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what
We have provided for them; and who believe in what is sent to you and what was sent before you, and (in their hearts) have
the reassurance of the Hereafter" (2:3-4). At the very outset, using a very soft and slightly oblique style, the Qur’an
calls people to accept the former Prophets and their Books. Having such a condition at the very beginning of the Qur’an
seems very important to me when it comes to starting a dialogue with the followers of other religions.
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In another verse God commands: "And discuss you not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere
disputation)" (29:46). In this verse, the Qur’an describes what method, approach, and manner should be used. Bediuzzaman’s
view of the form and style of debate are extremely significant: "Anyone who is happy about his opponent’s defeat in debate
is without mercy." He explains further: "You do not gain anything by his defeat. If you were defeated and he was victorious,
then you would have corrected one of your mistakes." Debate should not be for the sake of our ego, but to enable the truth
to come out.
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Elsewhere, in Sura Mumtahana, it is stated: "God 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 God loves those who are just" (60:8).
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