Peaceful Coexistence from an Islamic Perspective

Abstract

The study addresses the concept of peaceful coexistence in Islam, and draws clear models from the holy Qur’an and Sunnah and the traditions of the Ancestors. Furthermore, the study reviews the opinions of Muslim scholars in peaceful coexistence in Islam and the attitude of Islam toward coexistence among Muslims themselves and with the people of other religions within the same country and with neighboring or distant countries. The study also addresses the concept of the diversity in Islam and its limits, and investigates the challenges facing the Arab world in achieving peaceful coexistence. The study aims to present peaceful coexistence in Islam, its acceptance of diversity and its respect for the other and maintaining his rights without aggression and violence. It also aims to clarify the Islamic perception, refuting to justify violence or to practice it against the other through considering the provisions of Islam in the issue of peaceful coexistence. The importance of the study stems from its urgency to spread the culture of tolerance and acceptance and compassion and to respond to a series of fallacies promoted by anti Islamic groups or institutions which employed religious texts in a political or national sense for private purposes. It is also important since it refutes the intended or unintended fallacies, which were a motive for a state of internal tension in some Islamic and Arab societies. The study, in addition, seeks to correct practices and concepts that transformed our societies from coexistence. It also emphasizes deep profound analysis of the principles that scientifically determine Islam›s attitudes toward peaceful coexistence and acceptance of others away from selectivity or circumventing the partial texts.