Interfaith Dialogue in Islam

generations that follow. This is why reformers are required to suggest what work needs to be done to revive degenerated people. To regain the spirit of Islam, we need to identify the right reformers from the wrong ones. What is the full scope of religious freedom in Islam? I slam has total freedom. Only one thing is taboo in Islam, that is, violence. Once the Prophet was sitting in the mosque and an Arab who had not accepted Islam came to him. He said to the Prophet: You are a condemned person. I deny you. (Musnad Abu Yala, hadith no. 53) The Prophet simply smiled at these words. Why did he do so? Because the Prophet knew that this man has the freedom to say whatever he chooses. He was not hitting the Prophet with stones, but only expressing his ideas. If a person is peaceful, he has the right to say anything. If he does violence, then that will be considered a criminal act. Peaceful expression of thought is totally allowed in Islam. In Islam, whenever there is a negative statement, it must be made a point of discussion. Muslims often get irate on the concept of freedom of expression. But freedom is a bilateral concept, it is not unilateral—the other party enjoys as much freedom as we do. This is a very conducive concept of freedom as it allows for as much right to freedom to us as it does to the other party. What is the mission of Islam? T he Islamic mission is tazkiya (purification) of an individual. The target is that every person should discover God, develop spiritually and be devoid of malice in his heart. How will unity come about when so many different sects exist in Muslims? Difference is not an exuse. It is a part of life – it leads to discussion, dialogue and helps in intellectual development. The problem does not lie in differences, but in ghulu or extremism. It was said: Where all think alike, no one thinks very much! (Walter Lippman, The Stakes of Diplomacy (1915), page 51) Unity in times of differences can only come through unilateral adjustment.