Coexistence in Islam: Al-Azhar’s Role in Advancing Moderation and Tolerance

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Al-Azhar University

Abstract

This paper examines the Islamic framework for coexistence, focusing on the ethical and legal foundations that promote justice, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. It argues that Islam articulated a coherent model of peaceful coexistence more than a millennium before similar ideas emerged in Western thought. The study traces how these principles were applied in Islamic societies across history, and highlights the role of al-Azhar as a key institution in preserving and promoting this tradition.
The research adopts a threefold methodology: an inductive reading of Islamic texts and historical practices; a historical approach to contextualize how coexistence unfolded in different periods; and analytical reflection on the theological and civilizational meanings embedded in this tradition.
The structure of the paper includes an introduction, four main chapters, and a conclusion. The first chapter outlines how foundational Islamic sources establish principles of peaceful coexistence. The second discusses legal rulings related to Muslim–non-Muslim relations within Islamic governance. The third explores the concept of moderation and documents al-Azhar’s efforts to institutionalize it. The fourth analyzes al-Azhar’s discourse on tolerance and its evolving role in shaping relations with religious and cultural others.
The study concludes that Islam offers a robust and principled model of coexistence grounded in faith, ethical obligation, and recognition of human dignity. It emphasizes that this model is not contingent on political context but rooted in enduring religious imperatives. It also finds that al-Azhar has played a vital role in articulating and preserving this vision through education, public discourse, and scholarly leadership. The paper calls for strengthening al-Azhar’s capacity to communicate this tradition effectively in a pluralistic and often polarized global environment.

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