Interfaith
Freedom of conscience is an essential tenet of Islam. Truth can only be seen if it is not clouded by coercion. Protection of the rights of non-Muslims is an intrinsic part of Islamic law
Is Islam respectful to other beliefs?
Yes. The Qur'an states unequivocally: "There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood…" (Qur'an 2:256)
Freedom of conscience is an essential tenet of Islam. Truth can only be seen if it is not clouded by coercion. Protection of the rights of non-Muslims is an intrinsic part of Islamic law. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:
"He who hurts a non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim State - I am his adversary and I shall be his adversary on the Day of Judgment." "Beware on the Day of Judgment, I shall, myself, be the accuser against him who wrongs a non-Muslim citizen (of a Muslim State) or lays on him a responsibility greater than he can bear, or deprives him of anything that belongs to him."
History provides many examples of Muslims' respect towards other faiths. For instance, prior to the Spanish Inquisition, Jews and Christians lived and prospered in Spain for centuries under Muslim rule. Another well-known example is when Omar, the second successor to Prophet Muhammad, entered Jerusalem. He refused to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. He was concerned that some overzealous Muslim in the future might destroy the Church and build a Mosque in his honor.
Do Islam, Christianity and Judaism have different origins?
No, they do not. Muslims believe that the original, unchanged message given to Muhammad, Jesus, Moses and all other prophets came from the same One God. This common origin explains the similarities in many beliefs and values.
"Say: We Believe in God and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord; we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him (God) do we wholly give ourselves." (Qur'an 3:84)
Jews, Christians and Muslims all consider Abraham their Patriarch. Abraham is mentioned in the Qur'an as one of the great prophets. He was blessed by God to be the father of many nations.
From his second son, Isaac, descend the tribes of Israel, and through them, Moses and Jesus; and from his first son, Ishmael, came Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon all of His messengers). Abraham was commanded by God to rebuild the place of worship that Adam first built - the Ka'bah, in Makkah (Mecca). The Ka'bah is a simple stone structure, erected as a sanctuary for the worship of the One God. Muslims do not worship the Ka'bah; the cubical building simply denotes the unified direction toward which all Muslims face in prayer to God, Almighty.
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What do Muslims think about Mary, the Mother of Jesus?
Muslims deeply respect and admire Mary, the mother of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon them). She is the only woman honored with a chapter named after her in the Qur’an and is regarded as the highest example of virtue, strength, wisdom, and compassion.
Mary came from the family of Imran, descended from Aaron, and was raised under the care of Prophet Zechariah. The Qur’an speaks of her with exceptional honor: God chose and purified her above all women and gave her the glad tidings of Jesus, born miraculously by His command, “Be, and it is.”
The Qur’an describes her retreat, the pains of childbirth, and God’s miraculous comfort—providing a stream, dates, and guidance for her vow of silence. When she returned to her people with the infant Jesus, they questioned her, and the newborn spoke in her defense, declaring his prophethood, his devotion to God, his kindness to his mother, and peace upon him throughout his life, death, and resurrection.
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How did Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) relate to Christians?
The earliest interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims began early in Muhammad’s Prophethood. As persecution in Makkah intensified, the Prophet sent some of his followers to seek refuge with the Negus of Abyssinia, a just Christian king. After hearing the Qur’anic verses about Mary and Jesus, the Negus recognized them as divine revelation and granted the Muslims protection.
The Prophet regarded Christians as “People of the Book.” He treated them with respect, formed treaties with Christian tribes, and guaranteed them freedom to practice their faith and manage their own affairs under Islamic law.
A notable example occurred when a delegation of Christians from Najran visited the Prophet in Madinah. He hosted them warmly, allowing them to stay in his Mosque. When they stepped out to perform their church prayers, he instead offered them space inside the Mosque. Although they did not agree on every theological point, they returned home with a treaty of peace and cooperation.
These events stand as lasting models for Muslims and Christians seeking stronger interfaith relations today.
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How do Muslims view Buddhism, Hinduism and other Eastern Beliefs?
Many core ideas in Eastern religions closely resemble concepts familiar to Muslims. This suggests that these traditions may share an original divine source, with later differences arising from external cultural influences. Such similarities reflect universal truths found across humanity.
The Qur’an therefore instructs Muslims to respect even non-Abrahamic faiths:
“Do not insult those they worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah without knowledge.” (Qur’an 6:108)
Hinduism and Buddhism draw from ancient scriptures. Hindu texts include the Vedas, Upanishads, and later epics. Several verses describe God in ways fully consistent with Islamic belief:
• “Na tasya pratima asti” — “There is no likeness of Him.” (Rigveda 8:1:1)
• “Shudhama poapvidham” — “He is bodiless and pure.” (Yajurveda 40:8)
• “Ekam evadvitiyam” — “He is One without a second.” (Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1)
These descriptions align completely with the Qur’anic view of God. Over time, however, cultural influences shaped various worship practices within Hindu society.
Buddhism, by contrast, remains silent on God’s existence. Born in a Hindu environment that worshipped many deities, and recorded centuries after Buddha’s death, this silence may reflect historical context rather than foundational doctrine. Other Eastern faiths—such as Confucianism, Shintoism, and Taoism—often emphasize ethics, social order, nature, and ancestral reverence rather than detailed theology. They guide societal behavior more than they define spiritual belief.
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What is the Islamic opinion on Atheism, Agnosticism and other Secular Beliefs?
Atheism, humanism, and agnostic worldviews question—or deny—the existence of a Divine Being. Atheists reject the idea of God completely, while agnostics take a more cautious position, claiming they “do not know” or are waiting for empirical evidence of a Creator.
The Qur’an addresses such perspectives directly by posing three profound questions meant to stir reflection:
“Were they created from nothing? Or were they their own creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? No—they lack sure faith.” (Qur’an 52:35–36)
These questions outline the only three possibilities for the existence of humanity and the universe:
1. Were they created from nothing?
This challenges the idea that the universe could arise from absolute nothingness. If something existed before the universe, what was it—and who had power over it?
2. Were they their own creators?
Self-creation is impossible, as it requires something to exist and not exist simultaneously. Creation requires intention, and intention must come from an existing source—making self-creation illogical.
3. Did they create the heavens and the earth?
This asks whether created beings could have produced the universe. Such reasoning leads to infinite regress: who created the creator of the creator, and so on? An infinite chain could never begin, meaning the universe would never come into existence. Therefore, there must be a first cause—an uncaused cause.
These questions point to one logical conclusion:
The universe exists, and its existence is only possible through an eternal, uncaused Creator. Outside these three possibilities, no other explanation remains for how the universe came into being.
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