Islam and Peace
Religious Harmony
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past as well as in the present, wherever religious
harmony has existed, it has been based on unity
despite differences, rather than on unity without
differences. It is not based on agreeing to agree, but
on agreeing to disagree.
One extremely revolutionary example of this
principle is to be found in the life of the Prophet
Muhammad. It concerns the conference of three
religions which was held in the Prophet’s own
mosque in Medina. This conference: is described by
Muhammad Husain Haykal in his book, The Life of
Muhammad:
The three scriptural religions thus confronted one
another in Madinah. The delegation entered with
the Prophet into public debate and these were soon
joined by the Jews, thus resulting in a tripartite
dialogue between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
This was a truly great congress which the city of
Yathrib had witnessed. In it, the three religions
which today dominate the world and determine its
destiny had met, and they did so for the greatest
idea and the noblest purpose.
