Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi’s Study of Religions - (Part One)
By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam
4 August 2025
This article explores the life, work, and scholarly contributions of Dr. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi (1921–1986), a renowned 20th-century Islamic philosopher, theologian, and pioneer in interfaith dialogue and the Islamization of knowledge. Al-Faruqi emphasized the need for a harmonious coexistence among religious communities and promoted dialogue based on shared ethical values. His approach was rooted in the concept of Tawhid (the oneness of God), which he considered the foundation for all aspects of life, including politics, society, ethics, and knowledge.
The article outlines his major works, such as Islam and Culture, Al-Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life, Toward Islamization of Knowledge, Christian Ethics, and Historical Atlas of the Religions of the World. These writings reflect his commitment to intellectual depth, moral values, and cross-cultural understanding. Al-Faruqi proposed that knowledge should be restructured in light of Islamic principles to integrate modern disciplines with spirituality and ethics.
Focusing on religious studies, the article highlights Al-Faruqi's respectful, honest, and text-based method for studying world religions, especially Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. He advocated studying each religion from the perspective of its followers and emphasized historical and cultural contexts. His interfaith methodology promoted equality, mutual respect, and the identification of shared moral grounds for peacebuilding and cooperation.
In conclusion, the article asserts that al-Faruqi's balanced and scholarly framework for the study of religions offers vital guidance for interreligious harmony and cultural understanding in today’s divided world. His legacy continues to serve as a beacon for those seeking a rational, ethical, and spiritually grounded approach to interfaith dialogue and global coexistence.
Main Points:
1- Interfaith dialogue promotes respect, harmony, and shared moral values.
2- Tawhid forms the foundation of al-Faruqi’s religious and intellectual thought.
3- Islamization of knowledge integrates ethics, spirituality, and modern disciplines.
4- Each religion must be studied from its own believers' perspective.
5- Text-based study ensures accurate, honest understanding of sacred scriptures.
6- Shared morality among religions builds peace, justice, and cooperation.
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Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi (1921–1986) had a vast and deep academic and research legacy. He explored those areas of knowledge that are fundamentally essential in today’s world. He addressed contemporary and important topics such as interfaith dialogue and the Islamization of knowledge. Through his research and writings, he promoted a message of balanced thought and national harmony, advocating unity and peaceful coexistence in society.
Dr. Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi was one of the prominent Islamic thinkers, philosophers, and scholars of the 20th century. He was a specialist in comparative religion and a pioneer of the Islamization of knowledge. He was among the Muslim intellectuals who received higher education in Western institutions and presented Islamic teachings according to modern needs.
Introduction to Al-Faruqi’s Books:
Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi wrote several important books on the following subjects:
1. Islam and Culture
This book explains that Islam is a complete civilization encompassing spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and moral aspects. According to Al-Faruqi, Islamic culture is based on Tawhid (monotheism), knowledge, aesthetics, and ethics.
2. Al-Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life
This is one of his most famous works, in which he presents Tawhid not just as a belief but as a comprehensive worldview. He argues that Tawhid guides all areas of life—individual, society, politics, knowledge, and civilization.
3. Toward Islamisation of Knowledge
This book explains his well-known theory of Islamization of Knowledge, arguing that modern sciences are influenced by Western thought. Therefore, Muslims should restructure knowledge in light of Islamic principles to integrate ethics, spirituality, and scholarship.
4. Islam and the Problem of Israel
This is a political and religious analysis of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He highlights Palestinian rights and frames the issue not just as an Arab or Muslim problem but a matter of universal human justice.
5. Christian Ethics: A Historical and Systematic Analysis
This book critically examines Christian beliefs and moral principles. Al-Faruqi studied Christianity in depth and analysed its ethical and theological components. This book serves as a foundation for interfaith dialogue.
6. The Ethical Foundations of Islamic Civilization
In this book, Al-Faruqi highlights the moral principles underlying Islamic civilization—such as justice, charity, honesty, gratitude, patience, and integrity—presenting them in a modern context.
7. Historical Atlas of the Religions of the World (with David Sopher)
This is an important research work that presents the history, evolution, and spread of world religions through maps and analysis. It is a highly valuable resource for students and researchers of comparative religion.
8. Islamisation of Knowledge: General Principles and Work Plan
This book lays out practical steps for Islamizing various fields of knowledge—like science, sociology, economics, political science, and philosophy—and how these efforts can impact society.
9. Islam: Religion, Practice, Culture, and World Order
his book presents Islam not just as a religion but as a complete way of life that provides balance and justice at the level of the individual, family, state, and international relations.
After studying Al-Faruqi’s books, it becomes clear that they offer intellectual depth and are based on analytical, philosophical reasoning. One of their special qualities is that he presented Islamic thought in an understandable and scholarly manner to Western audiences.
Al-Faruqi's works also emphasize interfaith tolerance and respect for other religions, which is extremely relevant today. He not only invited readers to study other religions but also emphasized the importance of dialogue. His writings reflect a vision that connects civilization, politics, ethics, and knowledge within the framework of Islam—explaining Islam according to modern challenges and requirements.
Thus, it is fair to say that Dr. Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi’s books are a treasure trove of modern Islamic thought, rich in both scholarly content and practical guidance for solving problems facing the Muslim world and improving interfaith relations.
Al-Faruqi’s Study of Religions:
Though Al-Faruqi came from a Palestinian Muslim family, he received higher education in the West and deeply studied Judaism and Christianity. A major focus of his life was to promote mutual respect, understanding, and dialogue among different religions.
He believed that interfaith dialogue should not merely be on a rational level but must be grounded in the universal message of Tawhid (monotheism)—which is common to all divine religions. He emphasized that the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) share many values, such as monotheism, justice, and compassion, which make meaningful dialogue possible.
He conducted several discussions on the commonalities between Islam and Christianity, such as ethics, the concept of God, and human welfare. His book Christian Ethics reflects this effort. He also participated in numerous scholarly meetings with Jewish scholars and promoted mutual understanding through shared traditions. He encouraged Muslims to study Judaism deeply to eliminate prejudice and promote a climate of understanding.
At Temple University (USA), he taught many courses on interfaith topics, and he participated in various international interfaith dialogue forums, reflecting his deep commitment to the comparative study of religions.
He proposed the idea that all religions share a "shared morality", which can serve as a foundation for global peace, human rights, and social justice. He also emphasized that interfaith dialogue should be based on equality, not as a means of religious conversion, but to ensure mutual respect.
He believed that dialogue should be based not on emotions but on authentic religious scholarship so that followers of all religions can highlight shared values and respect differences.
According to him, comparative religion and interfaith dialogue can help bring peace and harmony among religious groups and eliminate misunderstandings. Dialogue is, in essence, a way to promote respect for all religions and for humanity.
Al-Faruqi’s Methodology for the Study of Religions:
From his writings, it is evident that Al-Faruqi followed a balanced, scholarly, and research-oriented methodology in the study of religions. His key principles were:
1. Intellectual Honesty
Understanding each religion from the perspective of its own followers and respecting its original teachings to avoid negative misinterpretations.
2. Text-Based Study
Studying original religious texts (e.g., Bible, Torah, Vedas, Talmud) rather than relying only on secondary sources.
3. Historical and Cultural Context
Understanding each religion within its historical, cultural, and social context.
4. Interfaith Respect
Even when there are differences, respecting the beliefs and feelings of followers of other religions.
If we follow this methodology, many misunderstandings about religions can be removed, and respectful interfaith dialogue can become a reality.
Scope of Al-Faruqi’s Study of Religions:
It is important to note that Al-Faruqi studied both Semitic and non-Semitic religions. His books show his interest in Judaism, where he analyzed its religious, legal, and ethical systems, promoting peace and understanding.
He also studied Christianity, especially its ethics, trinity, salvation, and the status of Jesus (peace be upon him), reflecting his intellectual honesty.
He presented Islam comprehensively and comparatively.
Al-Faruqi also studied Hinduism, analysing the Vedas and Upanishads, and critiquing elements like polytheism and pantheism.
He studied Buddhism, exploring its ethical system, karma, and nirvana in a scholarly manner.
Conclusion:
Dr. Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi’s role in interfaith dialogue was not just academic but also practical. He believed in connecting Islam with other religions in a dignified way. His ideas are deeply relevant in today’s violent, intolerant, and dialogue-deprived world.
Therefore, it can be said that his approach to comparative religion is balanced, objective, and scholarly. He used this field for invitation, research, dialogue, and civilizational harmony. In today’s age of religious tension and ideological confusion, his thought can serve as a guiding light. If we follow the principles he laid out, the study of religions can become highly beneficial for society.
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Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an Author and Columnist
URl: https://www.newageislam.com/books-documents/ismail-raji-al-faruqi-religiions-part-one/d/136387
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