An Appraisal of Islamic View in Promoting Dialogue between Muslims and Non-Muslims

Abstract

Islam being a universal religion from its inception provides and allows the concept of dialogue for the purpose of salvation and mutual understanding between Muslims and Non-Muslims like Jews, Christians and idol worshippers. Considering the misunderstanding of the concept of dialogue and its important the article is valuable particularly considering the nature of Nigeria and world at large. This article discusses the Islamic views in promoting dialogue based on the teachings of the Qur’an and Prophetic Sunnah. It identifies the Qur’anic injection about the permissibility of engaging in dialogue and exemplary approaches of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in engaging non-Muslims in dialogue. It discusses the Qur’anic examples of dialogue as well as some etiquettes of engaging in these firms of discusses. The paper explores some of the basic mechanisms in engaging in dialogue in order to yield good example as well as the relevance of the teaching of Islam. The paper analyzes an Islamic understanding of human nature, considering the teaching of the Qur’an, Sunnah and some examples from the Islamic history. These sources require Muslim to engage in a positive and excellent manner with other fellow human beings of different faith so that understanding shall be established between them. The method applied is descriptive approach using library work.