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External links

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	[https://cpsglobal.org CPS Global – Islamic Dialogue Resources]		[https://cpsglobal.org CPS Global – Islamic Dialogue Resources]

	[[Category:~~Islamic terminology]]~~		[[Category:Concepts and Terms]]
	~~[[Category:Islamic ethics]]~~
	~~[[Category:Interfaith dialogue]]~~
	~~[[Category:Quran]]~~
	~~[[Category:Hadith~~]]

Peysepar: Created page with " In Islam, '''dialogue''' (Arabic: '''''al-ḥiwār''''') is a theological and ethical concept rooted in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. It serves as a communicative tool and an imperative for engagement with others, including adherents of other religions.Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2015). ''Guidebook for imams and religious leaders: Dialogue among followers of religions and cul..."

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Created page with " In Islam, '''dialogue''' (Arabic: '''''al-ḥiwār''''') is a theological and ethical concept rooted in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. It serves as a communicative tool and an imperative for engagement with others, including adherents of other religions.<ref name=ISESCO>Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2015). ''Guidebook for imams and religious leaders: Dialogue among followers of religions and cul..."

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In [[Islam]], '''dialogue''' ([[Arabic]]: '''''al-ḥiwār''''') is a theological and ethical concept rooted in the [[Quran|Qur'an]] and the [[Sunnah]] of the [[Prophet Muhammad]]. It serves as a communicative tool and an imperative for engagement with others, including adherents of other religions.<ref name=ISESCO>Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2015). ''Guidebook for imams and religious leaders: Dialogue among followers of religions and cultures''. Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://www.isesco.org.ma/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Guidebook-Imams-religious.pdf#18#12</ref> Contemporary scholarship has expanded significantly, reflecting increased interfaith engagement and the need for peaceful coexistence in pluralistic societies.<ref name=Vaezi>Vaezi, M. (2018). The role of interreligious dialogues on religious tolerance. ''HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies'', ''74''(3), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i3.5073</ref>

==Conceptual foundations==

===Terminology===
Scholars distinguish between '''''ḥiwār''''' (dialogue/conversation) and '''''mujādalah''''' (disputation/debate) in Islamic tradition. The Qur'an employs both terms with precision: ''ḥiwār'' appears twice ([[Al-Kahf|Surah al-Kahf]], verses 34 and 37), while ''jadal'' appears twenty-seven times.<ref name=Ahdaa>Ahdaa, M. F., Ibrahim, M. S. R., & Zain, Z. F. S. (2026). Dialogical communication in the Qur'an: A thematic-hermeneutic study of Ḥiwār verses in Tafsir al-Mishbah. ''Jurnal Ilmu Agama'', ''27''(1), 140–156. https://jurnal.radenfatah.ac.id/index.php/JIA/article/view/33802</ref> The term ''ḥiwār'' derives from the root meaning "return" or "exchange", suggesting a reciprocal process in which parties listen and respond to each other.<ref name=Vaezi />

The [[Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (ISESCO) distinguishes dialogue from debate: dialogue aims at understanding and persuasion, while debate seeks to challenge and convince; dialogue progresses toward agreement, while debate escalates toward dispute; dialogue highlights commonalities, while debate strives to prove superiority.<ref name=ISESCO />

===Scriptural foundations===
The Qur'an presents several models of dialogue:

'''Divine-human dialogue''' is exemplified in the exchange between [[God in Islam|God]] and [[Iblis]] (Surah [[Sad (surah)|Sad]]: 71–83), which scholars cite as demonstrating the legitimacy of dialogue even with those in error.<ref name=ISESCO /> This establishes that dialogue is permissible between the party that is right and the one in error, precisely for the purpose of refuting false arguments.<ref name=ISESCO />

'''Prophetic dialogue''' appears in the famous encounter between the Prophet Muhammad and the [[Angel Gabriel]] (recorded in [[Sahih Muslim]]), in which the angel questions the Prophet about the pillars of Islam, faith (''[[Iman (Islam)|īmān]]''), and excellence (''[[Ihsan|iḥsān]]''). This event exemplifies how dialogue between two individuals can serve to teach a larger community.<ref name=ISESCO />

'''Interfaith dialogue''' is mandated by verses such as [[Al-Ankabut|Surah al-Ankabut]]: 46, which instructs believers to argue with the [[People of the Book]] only in the best manner.<ref name=Vaezi /> The Qur'an also addresses the human propensity for dialogue as an innate characteristic, noting in Surah [[Al-Kahf|al-Kahf]]: 54 that "man is, in most things, contentious."<ref name=Vaezi />

==Principles of dialogue in Islam==

The Qur'an lays down several meaningful guidelines for dialogue:

'''Best argument:''' "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious" ([[An-Nahl|Surah al-Nahl]]: 125). This verse establishes that conversation should be carried on in the best and most gracious way, avoiding bickering with the other party.<ref name=KhanCPS>Khan, M. W. (n.d.). ''Principles of dialogue in Islam''. CPS Global. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://cpsglobal.org/books/shared-wisdom/principles-of-dialogue-in-islam</ref>

'''Repel evil with good:''' "Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend" ([[Fussilat|Surah Fussilat]]: 34). This verse suggests that no one is an enemy by nature, and that relationships can be mended through good conduct.<ref name=KhanCPS />

'''Respect for others' beliefs:''' "Revile not those whom they call upon wrongfully besides God, lest they revile God in their ignorance" ([[Al-An'am|Surah al-An'am]]: 108). This establishes that an amicable atmosphere must be maintained during dialogue on controversial subjects.<ref name=KhanCPS />

'''Common ground:''' "Say: 'O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you that we worship none but God'" ([[Al Imran|Surah Al Imran]]: 64). Dialogue should begin by seeking common ground rather than controversy.<ref name=KhanCPS2>Khan, M. W. (n.d.). ''Inter-faith dialogue in Islam''. CPS Global. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://cpsglobal.org/articles/inter-faith-dialogue-in-islam</ref>

'''Peaceful coexistence:''' "To you then be your way. And to me be mine" ([[Al-Kafirun|Surah al-Kafirun]]: 6). The principle of "follow one and respect all" or mutual respect underlies Islamic dialogical practice.<ref name=KhanCPS2 />

==Historical manifestations==

===Classical Islamic theology===
Classical Islamic theology (''[[kalam|kalām]]'') emerged as a dialogical discipline, engaging with philosophical and theological questions through reasoned argumentation. The development of ''kalam'' presupposed a culture of intellectual exchange in which differing positions could be articulated and debated.<ref name=Vaezi />

===Medieval engagement===
Medieval Muslim intellectuals, including [[Al-Farabi|al-Fārābī]], [[Avicenna|Ibn Sīnā]], and [[Al-Ghazali|al-Ghazālī]], engaged in interreligious engagement through philosophical and theological discourse.<ref name=Vaezi /> Al-Ghazali's work ''al-Radd al-Jamīl'' (The Excellent Refutation) engaged directly with the Gospel text, demonstrating a willingness to enter into serious scriptural dialogue with the Christian tradition.<ref name=Vaezi />

===Prophetic precedents===
Historical precedents for dialogical engagement include:

The [[Treaty of Hudaybiyyah|Hudaybiyyah Peace Treaty]], concluded after long negotiations between the Prophet Muhammad and the [[Quraysh]] tribe. The Prophet accepted conditions laid down by the Quraysh, establishing the principle of flexibility in negotiations.<ref name=KhanCPS2 />

Tripartite talks held in the Prophet's Mosque in [[Medina|Madinah]] between representatives of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.<ref name=KhanCPS2 />

==Types of dialogue==

Scholars have developed various typologies of dialogue in Islamic tradition:

'''Discursive dialogue''' (debate or discussion) involves meeting, listening, and discussion on the level of mutual intellectual inquiry.<ref name=Vaezi />

'''Human dialogue''' rests on existential foundations and personal encounter.<ref name=Vaezi />

'''Secular dialogue''' stresses that there are tasks to be performed in the world and believers in different creeds may share in joint action without attention to their respective convictions.<ref name=Vaezi />

'''Spiritual dialogue''' takes an introspective approach without debate, emphasizing the superiority of intuition and experience over rational thinking.<ref name=Vaezi />

'''Self-talk''' (internal dialogue) is also recognized as a form of dialogue in Islamic thought. Faith is understood as the result of a process of talking with oneself and deep internal reflection.<ref name=Vaezi />

==Contemporary challenges and scholarship==

Recent scholarship has examined practical barriers to Muslim participation in interfaith dialogue. These include communicative distortion (where interfaith initiatives are structured around instrumental agendas, donor metrics, and English-language formats that create asymmetries) and theological translation failure (the insufficient operationalization of Qur'anic principles such as ''ta'aruf'' [mutual recognition], ''rahmah'' [mercy], and '''adl'' [justice] in public forums).<ref name=Vaezi />

Contemporary research on dialogue in Islam has expanded to include:

Integration of Islamic values and practices into interfaith dialogue for peacebuilding in conflict-affected countries.<ref name=Vaezi />

Application of dialogical communication ethics to contemporary social and digital communication to prevent conflict and strengthen social cohesion.<ref name=Ahdaa />

Examination of resources for dialogue within both Sunni and Shi'i Islamic traditions.<ref name=Vaezi />

==See also==
{{Portal|Islam}}

[[Ahl al-Kitab|People of the Book]]

[[Da'wa]]

[[Interfaith dialogue]]

[[Islamic–Jewish relations]]

[[Christianity and Islam]]

[[Kalam]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

Ayoub, M. M. (2013). ''Islam and the third universal theory: The religious thought of Mu'ammar al-Qadhdhafi''. Routledge.

Esposito, J. L. (2011). ''What everyone needs to know about Islam'' (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Hamdani, F. (2024). Interfaith dialogue in Islam. ''International Journal of Multidisciplinary Approach Sciences and Technologies'', ''2''(1), 77–85. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:268850031

Khan, M. Z. (2020). Dialogue in Islamic perspective: A critical analysis of the Qur'anic principles. ''Islamic Studies'', ''59''(1), 55–74. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27002895

Omar, I. (Ed.). (2018). ''Islam and other religions: Pathways to dialogue. Essays in honour of Mahmoud Mustafa Ayoub''. Routledge.

Ramli, A. F., & Awang, A. (2020). Al-Ghazali's triadic approach to Christian-Muslim relations: Debate, theological comparison, and apologetics. ''Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization'', ''10''(1), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.101.07

Sachedina, A. A. (2001). ''The Islamic roots of democratic pluralism''. Oxford University Press.

Shamim, T., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Interfaith dialogue and Islamic ethics: Prospects and challenges. ''Journal of Religious Ethics'', ''51''(2), 210–234. https://doi.org/10.1111/jore.12432

==External links==

[https://www.isesco.org.ma Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Official Website]

[https://cpsglobal.org CPS Global – Islamic Dialogue Resources]

[[Category:Islamic terminology]]
[[Category:Islamic ethics]]
[[Category:Interfaith dialogue]]
[[Category:Quran]]
[[Category:Hadith]]

Dialogue in Islam - Revision history

Peysepar: /* External links */