Ambiguities of Apostasy and the Repression of Muslim Dissent
Abdullah Saeed Monday, 13 June 2011
The emergence of Islam in the early 7th century CE occurred in a context of religious diversity. At that time, Jewish, Christian, and pagan communities were already established in and around Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammad began his teachings. In Medina, Islam's second home, Muslims lived alongside a strong Jewish community, and Christians from other parts of Arabia regularly interacted with the early Muslims. The Qur'an acknowledged this religious diversity, embracing an inclusive view of the religious "other," giving Jews and Christians the honorary place of "People of the Book" and recognizing their religious traditions. The Qur'an did not grant such recognition to pagan traditions (as they contradicted the most foundational teaching of Islam, namely belief in the oneness of God), yet the Qur'an urged Muslims to deal with all people, including pagans, with respect, as long as they showed respect towards Muslims. Indeed, the Qur'an even commanded Muslims not to abuse or slander the deities of the Arab idolaters.
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