Tolerance and Coercion in Islam: Interfaith Relations in the Muslim Tradition

ISBN-13: 9780521827034 / Angielski / Twarda / 2003 / 248 str.

Yohanan Friedmann

Opis

Since the beginning of its history, Islam has encountered other religious communities both in Arabia and in the territories conquered during its expansion. Muslims faced other religions from the position of a ruling power and were therefore able to determine the nature of that relationship in accordance with their world-view and beliefs. Yohanan Friedmann's original and erudite study examines questions of religious tolerance as they appear in the Quran and in the prophetic tradition, and analyses the principle that Islam is exalted above all religions, discussing the ways in which this principle was reflected in various legal pronouncements. The book also considers the various interpretations of the Quranic verse according to which 'No compulsion is there in religion', noting that, despite the apparent meaning of this verse, Islamic law allowed the practice of religious coercion against Manichaeans and Arab idolators, as well as against women and children in certain circumstances.

Recenzje

'The book is an informative text that presents a nuanced view of Islamic legal pronouncements on issues of inter-faith relationships.' The New Delhi Book Review

Spis treści

Preface; Introduction; 1. Religious diversity and hierarchy of religions; 2. Classification of unbelievers; 3. Is there no compulsion in religion?; 4. Apostasy; 5. Interfaith marriages; 6. Concluding observations; Selected bibliography; Indexes.