Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan - Mashruiyatuhu wa Adabuhu

Al-Hiwar ma‘a Atba‘ al-Adyan: Mashru‘iyyatuhu wa Adabuh (Dialogue with Followers of Religions: Its Legitimacy and Etiquette) is a contemporary treatise on interfaith engagement written by the Syrian Islamic scholar Munqidh al-Saqqar Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…. Presented in association with the Muslim World League at the inauguration of its international forum for interreligious and intercultural dialogue, the work examines the theological permissibility, historical precedents, practical guidelines, and ethical standards governing Muslim engagement with adherents of other faiths Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan….

Conceptual Framework and Historical Context

The book begins by clarifying key linguistic and legal terminology, distinguishing between general dialogue (hiwar), scholarly debate (munazarah), and disputation (jidal), noting that the Quran recognizes both blameworthy disputation aimed at obstinate controversy and praiseworthy debate aimed at clarifying the truth Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+2.

To demonstrate that interreligious discussion is an established Islamic practice rather than a modern innovation, the author traces its historical development across several eras Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…:

• The Prophetic Era: Exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ discussions with the delegation of the Christians of Najran, his reception of individuals such as Adi ibn Hatim, and his correspondence with regional rulers including Heraclius, the Negus, and al-Muqawqis Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.
• The Classical Era: Marked by debates held in caliphal courts—such as those under Harun al-Rashid and al-Ma'mun—as well as scholarly missions, such as Abu Bakr al-Baqillani's diplomatic debate in Constantinople, and the polemical writings of theologians such as Abu Hanifa, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Abu al-Walid al-Baji, and Abu Ubaydah al-Khazraji Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.
• The Modern Era: Highlighted by the nineteenth-century public debate between Rahmatullah al-Kairanawi and the Christian missionary C. G. Pfander in India, as well as twentieth-century international interfaith conferences and post–Second Vatican Council initiatives Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan….

Typology and Legal Rulings

The book categorizes interreligious dialogue into three distinct forms, outlining the legal ruling (hukm) and scope for each Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…:

1. Dialogue of Invitation (Hiwar al-Da‘wah): Directed toward explaining Islamic beliefs, rectifying misconceptions, and presenting rational and scriptural proofs regarding core theological doctrines Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…. The author classifies this as a religious duty and a communal obligation (fard kifayah) on qualified scholars, drawing upon the practices of previous prophets and classical juristic views such as those of Ibn Hazm and Ibn Taymiyyah Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.
2. Dialogue of Practical Engagement (Hiwar al-Ta‘amul): Focused on shared societal and ethical objectives, including peacemaking, justice, protecting the family, and combating moral degeneration, without delving into divisive theological disputes Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1. This type is deemed permissible and grounded in Islamic political jurisprudence (al-siyasah al-shar‘iyyah), supported by historical precedents such as the pre-Islamic Hilf al-Fudul (the Alliance of the Virtuous), which the Prophet endorsed Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.
3. Dialogue of Religious Unity (Hiwar al-Wahdah): Aimed at syncretism, dissolving essential doctrinal boundaries, or asserting the theological validity of all religions Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1. The author categorizes this form as prohibited compromise (mudahanah), noting that Islamic orthodoxy requires maintaining clear doctrinal boundaries while interacting peacefully Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.

Legal Status of Dialogue Texts

Addressing a common contention in Quranic exegesis that verses commanding gracious debate and dialogue were abrogated by the "Sword Verse" (Quran 9:5), the author refutes the claim of abrogation (naskh) Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…. Citing authorities such as al-Tabari, Ibn al-Jawzi, al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Hazm, and Ibn Taymiyyah, he argues that the command to invite others with wisdom and argue graciously remains enduring and unabrogated (muhkam), functioning alongside other legal commands according to circumstance Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+3.

Etiquette and Prohibitions

The latter chapters outline practical ethics and warn against common errors during interfaith encounters. Prescribed etiquette includes:

• Maintaining gentle speech and avoiding offensive epithets Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.
• Showing forbearance when provoked and responding to harshness with kindness Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan….
• Permitting non-Muslim interlocutors to express their doctrines and questions freely Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.
• Treating interlocutors with courtesy (mudarah) and addressing them with appropriate civil titles Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan….
• Maintaining fairness (insaf) by acknowledging valid points and moral qualities in opponents Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.
• Practicing active and respectful listening Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan….

Conversely, the work cautions against several pitfalls: engaging in theological compromise (mudahanah) out of flattery Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…; conferring religious titles that imply doctrinal endorsement Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…; allowing untrained individuals to undertake complex debates Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1; descending into insults against others' sacred symbols Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1; and completely discarding Islamic foundational terms in an attempt to please interlocutors Al-Hiwar ma Atda al-Adyan…+1.