Interfaith Dialogue in Islam

no choice. But for general day-to-day existence it gives the same peaceful commands as derived from it by Mahatma Gandhi. Similarly, Jesus Christ said: Do not think that I came to bring peace on Earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34) It would not be right to conclude that the religion preached by Christ was one of war and violence, for such utterances relate purely to particular occasions. So far as general life is concerned, Christ taught peaceful values, such as the building up of a good character, loving each other, helping the poor and needy, etc. The same is true of the Quran. When the Prophet of Islam emigrated from Makkah to Madinah, the idolatrous tribes became aggressive towards him. But the Prophet always averted their attacks by the exercise of patience and the strategy of avoidance. However, on certain occasions no other options existed, save that of retaliation. Therefore, he had to engage in defensive battle on certain occasions. It was these circumstances which occasioned the revelations relating to war. These commands, being specific to certain circumstances, had no general application. They were not meant to be valid for all time to come. That is why the permanent status of the Prophet has been termed: ‘a mercy to all mankind’. (Quran 21:107) In principle, the Quran teaches peace and complete freedom of thought and religion, and does not, to any extent, advocate for the unjust killing of non-believers. Is doing yoga daily against Islam? Yoga has many health benefits and Islam has no negative ruling about doing yoga. To those whom it suits, may do it. If there is anything in yoga that you feel uncomfortable about, then you can simply opt out from doing it. The roots of yoga are not in any particular religion, therefore, Muslims need not avoid it. How different is Islam today than what the Prophet Muhammad intended it to be? T here is no difference between what Islam is today and that which was brought by the Prophet Muhammad. Islam is still the same. The difference is only that many present-day Muslims have become misguided. For instance, the Prophet Muhammad had said, as mentioned in the Quran: I am your sincere and honest adviser. (Quran 7:68)