|
|
|
Islam’s Ecumenical Call for Dialogue
|
Fourteen centuries ago, Islam made the greatest ecumenical call the world has ever seen. The Qur’an calls the People
of the Book (Christians and Jews primarily):
|
Say: "O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but God; that we associate
no partners with Him; that we take not, from among ourselves lords and patrons other than God." If then they turn back,
say you: "Bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e., those who have surrendered to God’s Will)." (3:64)
|
This call, coming in the ninth year of the Hijra, begins with the "la (no!)" in the statement of faith, "La ilaha illa
Allah (There is no god but God)." More than a command to do something positive, it was a call not to do certain things
so that followers of the revealed religions could overcome their separation from each other. It represented the widest
statement on which members of all religions could agree. In case this call was rejected, Muslims were to adopt the attitude
expressed in another sura (chapter in the Quran): "Your religion is for you; my religion is for me." That is, if you do not
accept this call, we have surrendered to God. We will continue on the path we have accepted and leave you to go on your own
path.
|
|
|
|
