Islamic Mysticism and Interreligious Dialogue

Islamic mysticism offers principles that can support productive interreligious dialogue. The paper examines three mystical bases: the metaphysical principle of the unity of existence (waḥdat al-wujūd), the anthropological concept of fitra (primordial human nature), and a hermeneutic method for interpreting the Qur'an. These principles have implications for both doxastic (belief-related) and moral dimensions of dialogue between religions. The author argues that mystical views provide good grounds for fruitful interreligious exchange.

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Abstract

My aim in this paper is to investigate Islamic Mysticism and find out how and to what extent mystical views can build good grounds for a productive and fruitful interreligious dialogue. First, I provide a brief clarification of what I mean by the notions of ‘interreligious dialogue’ and ‘Islamic mysticism.’ Then, I explain three mystical principles as three bases for the promotion of interreligious dialogue. These are the metaphysico-theological principle of ‘the unity of existence’ (waḥdat al-wujūd), the anthropological thesis of fitra (primordial nature), and the hermeneutic method for interpreting the Qur’an. Finally, I explore the implications of these principles for interreligious dialogue and discuss the role of mystical teachings in promoting interreligious dialogue in two different, though interrelated, areas: doxastic and moral.