Ismail Raji al-Faruqi’s Study of Religions (With Special Focus on Judaism) - (Part Four)

By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 7 August 2025 Dr. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi deeply studied Judaism and supported interfaith dialogue between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. He emphasized shared values like monotheism, prophethood, moral law, and the spiritual significance of Jerusalem. Al-Faruqi believed that both Judaism and Islam promote divine will through ethical living and sacred law. He engaged Jewish texts with academic respect, highlighted mutual traditions, and encouraged peace through understanding. For him, dialogue was a spiritual and global duty, not just tolerance. He advocated respect, justice, and religious freedom through shared Abrahamic roots. His work promoted reconciliation, harmony, and mutual respect among faiths for the benefit of humanity. Main Points: 1. Judaism and Islam share monotheism rooted in divine revelations. 2. Both religions honor Moses and a tradition of prophecy. 3. Sacred laws guide daily ethical life and moral choices. 4. Jerusalem holds spiritual importance in both religious traditions. 5. Dialogue fosters peace, respect, and interfaith understanding globally. 6. Shared rituals reflect deep commonalities in belief and practice. ------ Ismail Raji al-Faruqi studied Judaism with deep seriousness, just like he did with Islam and Christianity. He supported dialogue with Judaism, and his books, articles, and papers contain significant content on this topic. From the Islamic point of view, both Judaism and Christianity are considered divinely revealed religions. Islam not only shows tolerance or cultural respect for them but also affirms their religious truth. Al-Faruqi observed that in Christian moral philosophy, Jesus challenged the tribal and ethnic foundations of Jewish worship and instead gave priority to spiritual and ethical values—a concept also found in Islamic and Sufi teachings. According to al-Faruqi, the core message of Judaism was originally monotheism, as taught by Prophet Moses (Musa A.S.). However, later Jewish scholars confined this monotheism within ethnic and national boundaries. In contrast, Islam’s concept of monotheism is universal and inclusive, while Judaism's idea of God became restricted to the Israelites. Al-Faruqi was a strong supporter of interfaith dialogue. He referred to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity as Abrahamic religions, and believed that their common values could become a foundation for peace, dialogue, and cooperation. “Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are all divine religions. Islam acknowledges them and considers faith in them part of its own belief system.” Al-Faruqi studied the Jewish Torah law deeply. He appreciated its moral foundations but pointed out that over time, Jewish rituals and laws became overly legalistic and ethnocentric. In Islam, worship and ethics aim at human welfare and spiritual growth, whereas in Judaism, religious law became more about ceremony and ethnic practice. Views of al-Faruqi on Judaism: He focused on the concept of monotheism in both Islam and Judaism, highlighting that both faiths are rooted in belief in one God — a foundational shared value for interfaith harmony. He discussed the concept of prophethood in Judaism, comparing it with Islamic teachings. He emphasized that both religions recognize Moses (A.S.) and many other prophets, and Islam sees the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the continuation and completion of this prophetic tradition. He reviewed Jewish scriptures from the Islamic viewpoint, accepting them as once divinely revealed texts, though altered over time — contrasting this with Islam's belief in the preservation of the Qur’an. He analyzed Jewish messianic expectations, comparing them with Islamic views. He emphasized that both religions await a future figure who will bring justice and peace to the world. He compared Jewish law and Islamic Shariah, noting that both legal systems aim to implement God’s will in everyday life and guide the ethical behavior of followers. He highlighted the role of Jewish prophets in developing moral monotheism, stating that their messages align with Islamic teachings. He saw the prophetic tradition as continuing and culminating in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He discussed the religious significance of Jerusalem in both Judaism and Islam, advocating mutual respect and understanding regarding its sacred status. Promoting Positive Interfaith Relations: Al-Faruqi promoted the idea of positive and respectful interfaith relations between Jews and Muslims. He believed that mutual understanding and respect for each other’s beliefs could lead to peaceful coexistence. He also discussed shared rituals and symbols in Judaism and Islam — such as circumcision, dietary laws, prayers, and fasting. He stressed that the Jewish belief in God is very close to the Islamic concept of Allah. He highlighted the importance of religious festivals in both faiths — like Yom Kippur and Ramadan — as tools to promote community and spiritual growth. An Intellectual and Philosophical Study: Al-Faruqi conducted a deep academic and philosophical study of Judaism. He tried to understand Jewish philosophy, theological teachings, and their historical context. His approach was based on understanding, not polemics, and he worked to identify common values and differences between Judaism and Islam. He studied the social, cultural, and religious aspects of Jewish history in detail. He tried to understand the development of Jewish society and its historical journey, often drawing connections between Jewish and Islamic history. He also analysed Jewish religious texts academically, exploring their historical and philosophical foundations, their teachings, and their influence. Dialogue as Academic Engagement: He promoted interfaith dialogue in the form of scholarly discussions. He engaged with Jewish scholars and sought to deepen mutual understanding. His study of Judaism was reconciliatory in tone, aiming to foster harmony among different religions. Conclusion: The core purpose of al-Faruqi’s writings and interfaith efforts can be summarized as follows: Interfaith dialogue, according to al-Faruqi, is not just about introduction or tolerance, but a higher spiritual goal, a religious duty, and a path toward global harmony. He believed that: The oneness of God (Tawhid) should be emphasized universally. All three Abrahamic faiths believe in one God and can use this shared belief to serve humanity. Religions are not just about rituals but also about ethical values, justice, mercy, and peace. Islam promotes honest, respectful, and scholarly dialogue, not debates focused on superiority. Dialogue is also part of Islamic invitation (Da’wah) — when non-Muslims understand true Islamic teachings, misconceptions and Islamophobia can be eliminated. Dialogue helps promote religious freedom, respect for diversity, and equal rights for all people to practice their faith freely. Wars often arise from misunderstanding and hate, while dialogue clears confusion and lays the foundation for peace. Dialogue protects us from emotional extremism, hostility, and sectarianism. Al-Faruqi’s writings and efforts show his sincerity and commitment to genuine interfaith understanding. Earlier Articles: Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi’s Study of Religions - (Part One) Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi’s Study of Religions - (Part Two) Dr. Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi’s Study of Religions (With Special Focus on Christianity) - ( Part Three) ----- Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an Author and Columnist URL: https://www.newageislam.com/books-documents/ismail-raji-faruqi-religions-judaism-part-four/d/136424 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism