The Quranic Constitution of Coexistence

by | Jul 7, 2015 | Uncategorized

Watch the first 20 minutes for an explanation of the points below (Article 6 excluded):

The following are some principles extracted from Quranic guidance which are pertinent to Muslims living alongside people of different beliefs and practices. The hope is always to go beyond the mere fact of coexistence, to tolerance and acceptance, and beyond that to mutual respect and celebration of diversity.

Article 1: We are all seekers after One Truth

{Say: the truth is from your Lord, so let whoever wills, believe; and let whoever wills, disbelieve} (18:29)

Article 2: The Creator honoured all humans as trustees

{We have indeed honoured the children of Adam} (17:70)
{Behold, your Lord said to the angels: “I will create a trustee upon earth”} (2:30)

Article 3: Diversity is a marvel of creation

{And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours} (30:22)
{O mankind! We created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other} (49:13)

Article 4: Invite to God’s way with wisdom

{Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Path, and who is guided} (16:125)

Article 5: Faith is not made by compulsion

{Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error} (2:256)
{And had your Lord willed, everyone on earth would have believed, all together. Then, would you compel the people in order that they become believers?} (10:99)

Article 6: Build on common ground

{Say: “O people of Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that we take not one another for lords beside God”} (3:64)

Article 7: A Muslim rushes to peace and honours treaties

{Verily We have granted you a manifest victory!} (48:1)
{Righteous is he who believes in God … and gives wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk, orphans, the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observes proper worship and pays the poor-due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress} (2:177)

Article 8: Conflict is the hated exception

{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} (60:8)
{Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! God loves not the aggressors} (2:190)

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