The Compability of Islam with Pluralism: Two Historical Precedents

Abstract

For Muslims, Islam is a religion of peace and harmony. For many non-Muslims today, it appears as a religion that promotes hatred and violence. Sadly, terrorist attacks, often carried out by Muslims, have exacerbated prejudices against Islam and Muslims in general, leading many non-Muslims to believe that Muslims are inherently militant and irrational people who neither tolerate nor accept living and cooperating with the followers of other religions and that Islam does not believe in pluralism and diversity. In this article, two important historical precedents will be elaborated and critically analysed. The first is the ‘Constitution of Medina’ (Sahifat al-Madinah), while the other is ‘Umar b. al-Khattab’s ‘Assurance of Safety’ to the people of Aelia - Byzantine Jerusalem - which he granted to them upon his conquest of the city in 637, guaranteeing their security and religious freedom. By studying these two historical precedents, the author attempts to demonstrate that Islam - as outlined in the Qur’an and exemplified by the life of Muhammad and his Companions - actually accepts, celebrates and even encourages diversity and pluralism. Although documents and historical events can certainly also be interpreted differently, the author’s views are somewhat representative for the standard Muslim perspective on intercultural relations.