Experiences and Manifestations of Interfaith Dialogue: Some Insights from the Life of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.A.S)

The question of the dialogue and inter-faith dialogue is becoming a central concept in the contemporary philosophical and post-modern era. Although the problem of understanding and experiencing of other has been contemplated long ago but after the Second World War, the nature of thought and philosophy has taken the question of other seriously. The holocaust in Germany was another factor, which brought the issues of other and dialogue. Now the world is so inter-dependent and so inter-related. Dialogue has become an imperative. It is understood as meeting and communicating with each other faiths, sharing thoughts, exchanging views, reaching mutual understanding and respect through focusing on common ground. The future of world depends on peace. Interfaith dialogue is indispensable to peace and tranquility globally within the context of religious pluralism.
In the essence of Orientalism (Edward Said), Islam has been misinterpreted to imply that there is no room for dialogue in Islam and that Muslims cannot coexist peacefully with the people of other faiths. This has not only projected a fanatic image of Islam in the world especially in the West but has also widened the gulf between the Muslim and non-Muslim world. From the dialogical perspective, Islam provides the path to mankind for constructing a peaceful place to live and also bridges the gulf between different world views.
The life of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.A.S) is a quintessential life of co-operation, reconciliation, tolerance and acceptance of pluralism. The Prophet’s (S.A.A.S) life was spent in dialogue with atheists, idolaters and People of the Book. Treaties, friendly relations and commercial partnerships are all facets of this dialogue. The Prophet’s (S.A.A.S) relationships with the people of other faiths, in his life in Mecca and Medina, as a model can guide us to illuminate our present. The study examines how prophet’s life offers us a way to engage in ongoing dialogue and cooperation with the people of other faiths and coexist successfully with all those with whom we share the world.