The Philosophy of Coexistence in the Interpretation of Al-Maidah Surah (Chapter) Ali Radi AbuZurayk as a case study

Abstract

This paper aims at inspecting the Holy Quran stands (especially in Al-Maidah) on conflicts and anarchies, that are effecting our region and the world, which claims that such conflicts are related to sect and religion differences. Instead religion being a factor to stabilize and relief societies from conflicts and anarchies, it has turned to be their stamina.  

 The paper concentrated on the possibilities of coexistence among the followers of different religions as presented by Ali Rida Abu-Zraiq in his recent book The Miracle of Quran's Names of Chapters (2017). In His book he presented a new, and different, interpretation of Al-Maidah Surah in accordance semantics and syntaxes. Hence, this paper tried to compare such interpretation with two other interpreters: Sayd Qutob as a version of Sonnies and Mohammed Husain Tubtabaei as a version of Shieats.

 The paper concluded that the new interpretation of Al-Maidah is different from all previous interpretations. While the old interpretations would present justifications for conflict, killing and exclusion; Abu-Zraiq's interpretation would present a totally different perspective of the Al-Maidah, presenting a bright picture of the possibility of coexistence among different religions within the same society, showing that the Chapter clearly indicates the way to resolve any possible conflict among them. Hence, in accordance with such interpretation, the religious differences within the society will bring about the need for respect and compassion among them, and a motivation to the followers in seeking God's obedience.