Resources for Muslim Voices for an Interreligious America

Primary Resources

Selections from the Qur’an:

O humankind, We have created you male and female, and made you into races and tribes, that you may know one another. Surely the noblest among you in the sight of God is the most God-conscious of you. God is All-knowing, All-aware. (Qur’an 49:13)

And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colors. Surely in this are signs for those of knowledge. (Qur’an 30:22)

We have assigned a law and a path to each of you. If God had so willed, He would have made you one community, but He wanted to test you through that which He has given you, so race to do good: you will all return to God and He will make clear to you the matters you differed about. (Qur’an 5:48)

There is no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. (Qur’an 2:256)

Say: ‘We believe in God, and the what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to other prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction between any of them. And to God we submit. (Qur’an 2:136 and Qur’an 3:84)

Indeed, the believers, Jews, Sabians, Christians, Zoroastrians and the polytheists—God will judge between them on Judgment Day. Surely God is a Witness over all things. (Qur’an 22:17)

Had God willed, they would not have been polytheists. We have not appointed you as their keeper, nor are you their maintainer. (Qur’an 6:107)

And say, ‘The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve. (Qur’an 18:29)

Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from them, and in the Hereafter they will be among the losers. (Qur’an 3:85)

But once the Sacred Months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them on every way. But if they repent, perform prayers, and pay alms-tax, then set them free. Indeed, God is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur’an 9:5)

O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends. They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them is one of them. Verily God does not guide unjust people. (Qur’an 5:51)

Selections from the Prophetic Hadith:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of God said, “Do not believe the People of the Book, nor disbelieve them. Say: We have faith in God, in what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes of Israel, in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and in what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims surrendering to Him.” (Q 2:136)

(Number 4485, Bukhari)

Narrated by Abu Huraira: I heard God’s messenger saying, “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”

(Volume 4, Book 55, Number 652, Bukhari)

Narrated by ‘Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a servant. So, call me the servant of God and His messenger.” (Volume 4, Book 55, Number 654, Bukhari)