RKUD 3030-METHODS OF DA'WAH

TOPIC: 14
DAWAH THROUGH INTER-FAITH
DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENTS

RKUD 3030 / METHODS OF DAWAH

Inter-Faith Dialogue
2

1.
2.
3.

Inter-faith dialogue is another way of inviting both,

Muslims and non-Muslims to the Straight Path of the
Almighty Allah (s.w.t.), Who alone deserves complete:
Submission;
Obedience; and
Worship;
Din al-Islam, which has been assigned by Allah (s.w.t.)
as the only way of life meant for all mankind through
which a double sided communication took place
between the Creator, Allah (s.w.t.) and the Creature
(Man whom Allah favoured him above all other
creatures).

Cont
3

Since Allah (s.w.t.) granted to man freedom of choice

, and therefore, everyone will be responsible for the
voluntary choice he/she has made for himself/herself.
A Muslim, based on his/her choice, has embraced Din alIslam as the only way of life, and has accepted willingly the
responsibility to convey the Divine Message of Allah (s.w.t.)
to others.
The message can be conveyed through different ways. The
day-to-day dialogue is considered as a fruitful means of
communicating Islamic Teachings.

Cont
4

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Dialogue could be of different nature, based on the

subject and those who are involved in such dialogue.
Thus, dialogue can be named as:
Intra-Religious Dialogue;
Inter-Religious Dialogue;
Intra-Faith Dialogue;
Inter-Faith Dialogue;
Civilizational Dialogue;
Cultural Dialogue;
Political Dialogue, and so on.
RKUD 3030-METHODS OF DA'WAH

Cont
5

(89 : )

And We have explained to man, in this Quran, every

kind of similitude: yet the greater part of men refuse
(to receive it) except with ingratitude!
Quran is a heavenly collection of Gods commands for
humankind as a whole (not for the Muslims alone), and
it is Gods Communication to all the creatures of the
Heavens and the Earth.
It is also the Book of wisdom containing all the
necessary verdicts and principles for mans judgments
in order to achieve harmony and happiness both in this
world and the here after.

Concept & Development of Interfaith

Dialogue (IFD)

The Quranic verses that shed light on the subject of

inter-religious and inter-faith dialogues are as follow:

(34 : )

And he had property (or fruit) and he said to his

companion, in the course of mutual talk: I am more than
you in wealth and stronger in respect of men. Here said
to his companion, ( Yuhairuhu) in the course of a
mutual argument (dialogue): More wealth have I than
you, and more honour and power in (my following of)
men.
RKUD 3030-METHODS OF DA'WAH

Cont
7

: )

(37

His companion said to him, during the dialogue with

him: "Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of
dust (i.e. your father Adam), then out of Nutfah (mixed
semen drops of male and female discharge), then
fashioned you into a man? Here ( Yuhawiruhu) in
the course of the mutual argument (dialogue) with his
companion. RKUD 3030-METHODS OF DA'WAH

Cont
8

The last verse that indicates the subject of inter-religious and

inter-faith dialogue through a terminological usage is as
follows:

(1 : )

Allah has indeed heard (and accepted) the statement of the

woman who pleads with thee concerning her husband and
carries her complaint (in prayer) to Allah: and Allah (always)
hears ( Tahawurakumaa) the arguments (dialogue)
between both sides among you: for Allah hears and sees (all
things).
RKUD 3030-METHODS OF DA'WAH

Who is the initiator of IFD?

9

The interfaith dialogue was initially done by

Christian Missionary workers to convince Muslims on
their cordial relation with other religious groups with
the idea of religious dialogue.
Purpose was to show the interfaith relationship
sounds good, and attempt to reduce tension among
religious believer. (Sohirin M. Solihin, 2008)
Later it was regarded as one of the mission to convert
Muslims into their own religion.

Level of IFD
10

IFD is divided in different levels;

Local
National
Regional
International

RKUD 3030-METHODS OF DA'WAH - MOHAMMAD NAZMUS

SAYADAT

Cont
11

In the world level IFD is done under the

platform of international religious peace
conference.
In the initial stage, Church leaders gave the
freedom to Muslim participants and invited
all Muslim leaders regardless of religious
attitude or school of thought.
Today, they only choose liberal and secular
Muslim scholars who are regarded as having
non-hostile attitude toward Christian mission.

DAWAH & IFD

12

Dawah through IFD can be regarded as one means of

channeling the true Islamic message among different
religious adherents.
The Muslims have to preach Islam to others through inter-religious
and inter-faith dialogues, and they have to bear in mind that:
1.

All men are equally the object of the Islamic Dawah.

The Muslim cannot rest until all men have achieved divine
purpose related to their creation.
2.

Priorities: The nearer being always the first entitled to the

Muslims efforts; but the most distant being finally just as entitled
to those efforts as the nearest.
3.

The first condition Islam lays for such effort is that it involves no
force or compulsion.
4.

Cont
13

5.

6.

7.

8.

The Quran specifies the means of persuasion to be

used (Q 16:125), knowing the trickery of inter-human
relations and the possibility of brainwashing,
pressuring, etc.
If non-Muslims are not convinced, the Muslim will
leave them alone. But certainly the Muslim is to try
again and never give up.
As long as resistance is ideational, the Muslim is
bound to respect it.
The recourse to violence is justified only to put an
end to the violent obstruction, never to force the nonMuslims into conversion to Islam.

Cont
14

9.

10.

11.

All men are equal members of a universal religious

brotherhood under the concept of din al-fitrah
(original religion).
Rather than seeking to find out how much other
religions agree with each other, if at all, let us see
how far both religious traditions agree with din alfitrah.
Seeking the historical development of religious
traditions whether they are in agreement with din alfitrah or not, rather than assuming that each religion
is Divine.
RKUD 3030-METHODS OF DA'WAH

Basis for Inter-Faith Dialogue

15

Respect for other religions

The right and freedom to choose and practice
ones religion
Understanding and acceptance of the common
values expressed by all religions
The existence of a common understanding
amongst the different religions
The ability to practice ones religion without
fear or worry (Osman Bakar,2010 in Islam and Democracy)