The Study Of Religions Should Be Done Without Prejudice

By Dr Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 21 July 2025 The unbiased study of religions is essential for interfaith harmony, social peace, and intellectual balance. Prophetic examples and scholarly guidance illuminate the path toward constructive religious dialogue and understanding. Main Points: 1. Studying other religions and engaging in dialogue promotes social peace, harmony, and mutual understanding. 2. The Constitution of Madinah is a historical model of peaceful coexistence among diverse religious groups. 3. Research must be free from bias to ensure truth, balance, and respect for all faiths. 4. Syed Maududi emphasized neutrality and honesty in interfaith research to uphold academic and ethical standards. 5. Comparative religion, when done fairly, fosters tolerance, reduces prejudice, and highlights each religion’s unique contributions. ---- In contemporary times, the study of religions, interfaith dialogue, and negotiations are being given significant importance. Conferences, workshops, and seminars are frequently being organized on these topics in universities and other institutions. At the same time, authors, thinkers, and intellectuals are writing articles, papers, and books, which is indeed a positive and commendable step. The question arises: why is dialogue and mutual understanding among followers of different religions necessary? The answer lies in the fact that many issues in society arise from ignorance and lack of understanding about other religions, often leading to tension and even violence. Therefore, interfaith dialogue is essential. There are various forms of inter - religious dialogue. One such form involves representatives of all religions coming together to identify and explore common values and teachings—particularly those related to social conduct and ethical principles. Efforts in this direction are being made at the global level. The fundamental benefit of such dialogue is that it fosters an atmosphere of peace, harmony, tolerance, and brotherhood in society. Unity, social cohesion, and mutual understanding are among the foremost aspirations of every society. In this context, we must strive more earnestly. There is a wealth of guidance on this subject in Islamic sources, and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provides a complete roadmap. One example is the Hilf al-Fudul agreement before prophethood, in which the Prophet (PBUH) actively participated. This agreement showed how people of diverse views could unite to protect lives and ensure peace in society. Another notable example comes after the migration to Madinah, when the Prophet (PBUH) initiated the Constitution of Madinah (Mithaq-e-Madinah). He brought together all Jewish tribes and the followers of various religions present in Madinah and engaged in dialogue. The mutually agreed-upon principles were documented in the form of 53 articles, known as the Constitution of Madinah. This document holds not only moral and legal significance but also historical importance, as it is considered the first written constitution in the world. It systematically includes provisions related to rights and duties, human dignity, social unity, and patriotism, addressing the needs of the general populace. It is also important to clarify that some orientalists and critics of Islam try to elevate the Code of Hammurabi and the Magna Carta of 1215 over the Constitution of Madinah. However, it must be noted that the Code of Hammurabi primarily focuses on the affairs of monarchs and does not concern the general public. While the Magna Carta does relate to public rights and concerns, it is neither as detailed nor as comprehensive as the Constitution of Madinah, which addresses the rights of all segments of society. Therefore, the historical relevance of the Constitution of Madinah cannot be denied. Its implementation led to unity and a human rights–friendly atmosphere in Madinah. Ultimately, the core objective of interfaith dialogues is the same: to ensure the well-being, welfare, and prosperity of society. Another important approach to interfaith dialogue is that scholars, intellectuals, and literary figures from each religion should produce literature. However, it must be ensured that such literature is free from prejudice, narrow-mindedness, or blind religious devotion, and it should also be completely devoid of any notion of the superiority of one's own religion. For instance, if a Muslim scholar is writing about another religion, they must approach it purely as a researcher and author, setting aside all personal religious affiliations. At that moment, they must completely forget that they belong to Islam. When research on another religion is carried out in this impartial and scholarly manner, it will align with modern academic standards of research and investigation and will have a positive impact on society. Unfortunately, a major problem arises when individuals engage in writing about other religions but do so in a way that, while highlighting the virtues of their own faith, they suppress or overlook the positive aspects of the other religion. As a result, accurate and complete information about that religion does not reach society, leading to outcomes such as prejudice, intolerance, hatred, and even violence. Even today, there is an abundance of such biased writers, and libraries remain filled with such literature. Regarding the research of other religions, the renowned Islamic thinker Syed Abul A‘la Maududi in his famous book "Al-Jihad fi al-Islam" has laid down an ideal methodology. He emphasized the need for adopting a balanced and objective approach in the process of research. All contemporary researchers should keep his perspective in mind as a guiding principle when working on the religions of others. "The comparison of two religions is, in fact, a very difficult task. A person rarely does justice to beliefs and views that oppose the ones they hold dear. This weakness is common in human nature, but it takes an especially intense form in religious groups, manifesting as extreme prejudice and narrow-mindedness. When the followers of one religion criticize another, they usually focus only on its dark aspects, deliberately ignoring or concealing its bright and positive features. Their aim in such religious criticism is not to seek truth, but rather to validate a preconceived opinion or belief they adopted even before proper investigation. Such an approach nullifies all the benefits of comparative religion and does not serve even the religion in whose defense these misleading methods are used. The true spirit of the study of religions lies in conducting an unbiased and neutral comparison of the teachings of the various religions and belief systems found across the world. Comparative religion involves a fair and critical examination of the core doctrines, worship practices, and rituals of different religions—so that their true value, strengths, and shortcomings become fully clear. During the study of religions, if a positive aspect of any religion comes to light, it should be acknowledged without hesitation; and if a flaw is found, it should be refuted with sound reasoning. This approach makes it possible to arrive at the truth. The excellence of Islam should be established through rational arguments and its truthfulness proven through historical evidence, so that the new generation and the educated classes can consciously accept it, embrace it with understanding, and ultimately bring about the desired positive changes in their lives. Such an attitude will naturally contribute to creating a positive atmosphere in society regarding religions. When we objectively review the research conducted on comparative religion, it becomes evident that many such studies have been shaped by specific ideologies or biases. As a result, they have failed to deliver the intended societal benefits. However, when a religion is studied by removing the lens of prejudice, its virtues and strengths become visible, leading to intellectual balance. Therefore, in all research done under the name of religion or comparative religion, it is absolutely essential to avoid bias—so that no religion is misrepresented or misunderstood in society. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/study-religions-prejudice/d/136234 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism