Finding Common Ground
Finding Common Ground
“Mutual Knowing,” Moderation, and the Fostering of Religious Pluralism
This chapter focuses on three Qurʾanic concepts from which universal ethical principles may be derived to promote harmonious relationships between diverse peoples and faith communities in full recognition, even in celebration, of their differences. These concepts are: (1) knowledge of one another (Ar. al-taʿaruf), based on respect for diversity and difference; (2) the commonality of human beings based on righteousness and ethical conduct rather than on religious labels and denominations; and (3) moderation as a defining characteristic of righteous believers. The chapter discusses these concepts and their bearing on interfaith dialogue and peaceful co-existence through the prism of exegeses of critical Qurʾanic verses that deal with these concepts. It shows that, although a number of premodern Muslim exegetes showed appreciation for the Qurʾanic valorization of diversity, their own social and historical circumstances limited their conceptualization of the extent of diversity and its impact on interfaith relations. It is, therefore, suggested that in our contemporary, increasingly cosmopolitan world, we may read these texts with fresh eyes today and uncover exegetical possibilities that will help reconfigure relations among religious communities from a more pluralist and intellectually humble perspective.
Keywords: Qurʾan, ethical principles, respect for diversity, moderation, interfaith relations, Muslim exegetes
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