TODAY'S LEADERS FORUM PRAISE 2019: Peaceful coexistence between Muslims and christians, Scriptural references

By Ajitoni Yusuf Orisunmibare

Key words

Muslims are people who follow or practice Islam, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion. Literally, Islam means peace. It is the total submission to the will of Almighty Allah.

Ajitoni Yusuf Orisunmibare

Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents, known as Christians.

Peaceful coexistence means to exist together, at the same time, or in the same place. It means to live in peace with another or others despite differences, especially as a matter of policy.

Scripture is A sacred writing or book. by extension, it is An authoritative statement. Scriptural means according to scripture.

Reference means to refer to an object.

Introduction

Only divine moral laws can actually lead to universal peace and mould human behavior for true brotherhood and love. And where can we find divine moral laws, if not from scripture (Bible-Qura'n).

Those moral laws can be recognized by human minds, but those who are free of pride and prejudice only.

Peaceful coexistence:

Christianity perspective

There is need for theological motivation is on why Christians need to become involved with Muslim interfaith dialogue to promote peace and justice, whilst respectfully creating room for one another to coexist.

Churches and missions have a duty to remember their calling to service, reconciliation, peacemaking, evangelism and dialogue. Christians worldwide have a task to educate people on relations with Islam, to teach the forgiveness of sins and to reach out in love to Muslims in word and deed as the bearers of the gospel. This attitude of reaching out is encapsulated in the expression 'a willingness to embrace'.

(Rom. 14:17–19):

"The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

The meaning is quite clear: “We all should get along!” No matter what worldview one holds, we ought to get along, live peacefully among each other, and help neighbors of a different religion, belief system, or worldview flourish.

Matthew 5:44 King James Version (KJV)

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Matthew 22:37-39 New International Version (NIV) 37 Jesus replied:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Jesus even hammered his second command home by offering the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) as an example of how humans ought to go out of our way to make sure an individual of a different “people group” thrives and flourishes (even though these different people groups were previously hostile to each other).

The apostle Paul echoes the commands of Jesus in Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Hebrew commands us to coexist with everyone in Hebrews 12:14: Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Peaceful coexistence:

Islamic perspective

Quranic concept of peaceful co-existence and harmony is the view that human beings are united under one God which command Muslims to build bridges of understanding and cooperation with fellow human beings in order to create an environment of social order.

Peaceful coexistence requires that people abstain from abusing and denigrating those who do not share their beliefs.

The most important fact is the common origin of mankind according to which all human beings have been “created of a single soul”

Quran chapter 4, verse 1. O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.

And that all descended from the same parents ( quran 49:13)

So there should not be any discrimination based on family, belief or race. The Quran negates distinction on the basis of racial, linguistic and national grounds and it also identifies diversity as a sign of God and hence to be respected. Difference in identities are for recognition, not for pride and hence necessary and it should not lead to any conflict. Promoting divisiveness and hatred based on religious and cultural differences is absolutely against Islam.

The Quran also says that:

“the closest and the most affectionate towards the Muslims are those who say: “We are Christians:” because amongst them there are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. When they listen to that which has been revealed to the messenger (Muhammad), you see their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth.

They say : Our Lord, we believe. So count usamong the witnesses.” (Quran 5: 82-83)

NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION

One of the fundamental truths established by the Holy Qur᾽ān in order to establish social harmony is that no one can be compelled to accept Islām.

It is the duty of Muslims to establish the proof of Islām to the people so that truth can be made clear from falsehood. After that, whoever wishes to accept Islām may do so and whoever wishes not to believe may do so. No one should be threatened or harmed in any way if he or she does not wish to accept Islām.

(Jawdat Saʻīd, 1997).

Allāh (swt) says:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.”

(Quran 2:256).

This verse is decisive in establishing that each person has the right to make his or her own choice about embracing Islām. There is other equally decisive evidence in the Qur’ān, among which are the following two verses:

“If it had been your Lord’s will, all of the people on Earth would have believed. Would you then compel the people so to have them believe?”

(Quran 10:99).

“So if they dispute with you, say ‘I have submitted my whole

self to Allah, and so have those who follow me.’ And say to the People of the Scripture(Christians) and to the unlearned: ‘Do you also submit yourselves?’ If they do, then they are on right guidance. But if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message. And in Allah’s sight are all of His servants.”

(Quran 3:20)

God has created all humans equal, and they have a common origin. Therefore, they should assist one another and not neglect each other’s’ needs.

Allāh says:

“O people fear your Lord who has created you from a single soul and created from it its pair and spread from this too many men and women.... Fear Allah, in whose name you

plead with one another, and honour the mothers who bore you. Allāh is ever watching over you.”

(Quran 4:1)

Quran 60:8 - Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly-. Muslims are required to be best in righteousness towards fellow non-Muslims and must act in Justice with them.

Recommendations

It is necessary at this point to make some recommendations for peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria:

First, both Christians and Muslims must emphasize their common ancestry in the person of Abraham and not their doctrinal differences. This will go a long way to engender peaceful relationship between the two dominant religions in Nigeria.

Second, human values must be taught to the adherents of these two religions by their leaders.

Human life is the image and likeness of God according to the Bible-Quran and as such no individual has the right to take the life of another person. Human life must be seen as sacrosanct.

Third, promoters of religious disturbances must be prosecuted and if found guilty sentenced to prison no matter how highly placed and connected they are in the society.

Fourth, Religious education should be made compulsory for all children in school from primary school to secondary level. This will help them to learn about different religions in Nigeria with the sole aim of tolerating one another religions views.

Fifth, Christians and muslims should embrace religious tolerance. This will make room for dialogue and also engenders unity and love.

Lastly, government should provide employment for youths who are unemployed. A youth with a job and a decent pay will be too busy to involve in religious disturbances, because he wants to keep his job and continue to enjoy life.

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Conclusion

Since, we have demonstrated that Islam and Christianity have the same ancestry in the person of Abraham. And in doing this we examined both the Qur‟an and the Bible to justify our claims. And then we offered recommendations, which we believe will guaranteed peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims if strictly followed.