TOLERANCE AND COERCION IN ISLAM: INTERFAITH RELATIONS IN THE MUSLIM TRADITION
Book Description
This scholarly exploration delves into one of Islam's most complex theological and practical challenges: how a dominant religious tradition navigates relationships with other faith communities. Yohanan Friedmann examines the intricate balance between tolerance and religious authority that has shaped Islamic civilization from its earliest days.
Drawing from the Qur'an and prophetic traditions, Friedmann investigates how Islamic teachings address religious diversity when Muslims hold positions of political power. The study reveals the nuanced ways Islamic law and theology have interpreted core principles, particularly the seemingly straightforward Qur'anic declaration that there should be "no compulsion in religion."
The book uncovers the fascinating tensions between this principle of religious freedom and the Islamic belief in the supremacy of their faith above all others. Friedmann demonstrates how these theological foundations influenced legal decisions affecting various religious minorities, including Manichaeans and Arab polytheists, as well as specific rulings regarding women and children.
For readers seeking to understand how religious traditions grapple with pluralism and power, this work offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between spiritual conviction and practical governance. The analysis illuminates how sacred texts and religious principles translate into lived realities for diverse communities.
This examination provides essential context for anyone exploring interfaith dialogue, religious liberty, or the historical development of Islamic jurisprudence in multicultural societies.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 233 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Apostasy
- ✓ Explore Minorities (Islamic law)
- ✓ Explore Liberty of conscience (Islam)
- ✓ Explore Relations
- ✓ Explore Minorities
- ✓ Explore Islam, relations
- ✓ Explore Islam
- ✓ Explore Islamic law
