The Forgotten Power of Coexistence: Lessons from Islam for a Divided World

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 3 September 2025 In a world increasingly divided by religion, politics, and identity, the question that looms large is simple, yet profound: Can we truly live together in peace, despite our differences? This question is not new. It has echoed across centuries and civilizations, from ancient empires to modern democracies. But perhaps, in our time (when ideological divisions, sectarian violence, and polarizing narratives dominate the headlines), it feels more urgent than ever. As a Muslim, I often return to the roots of my own faith to seek answers. And what I find there is not a call for dominance, nor a mandate to judge others. Instead, it is a quiet, powerful philosophy built on respect for diversity, acknowledgment of the other, and a sincere aspiration to build a shared civilization. Let me explain. Diversity: A Divine Principle, Not a Problem One of the most profound insights of the Qur’an is its affirmation that diversity is not a flaw. It is a feature of God’s creation. The verse says: “Had your Lord willed, He could have made all people one community. But they will always differ—except those whom your Lord has shown mercy. And He created them for this purpose.” (Surah Hud, 11:118–119) In other words, difference (whether in language, belief, or culture) is not something to be erased. It is something to be embraced and understood. This insight resonates deeply in the Indian context, where centuries of history, philosophy, and lived experience have shaped a civilization defined by its pluralism. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism: all have grown together on this soil, in dialogue and sometimes in tension, but always with the possibility of coexistence. Yet today, we must acknowledge a disturbing trend. A small but vocal group of sectarian elements in India is actively working to erode this pluralistic fabric. By instigating hatred, spreading misinformation, and provoking riot-like situations, they seek to divide communities that have lived together for centuries. But they must know, and they will come to know, that they will never succeed in their efforts or missions. India is not just a democracy. India is a civilizational idea, rooted in diversity and spiritual co-existence. Pluralism is not a borrowed concept here. It is part of the air we breathe, the festivals we celebrate, the languages we speak, and the food we eat. No force can uproot what is embedded in the very soul of this land. The challenge, therefore, is not in diversity itself. It is in how we respond to the forces that try to turn it into division. Respecting the Right to Believe Differently Islam, contrary to many popular misconceptions, is not a faith that demands conformity. It does not seek to convert by force or erase other religions. In fact, the Qur’an makes this crystal clear: “To you your religion, and to me mine.” (Surah Al-Kafirun, 109:6) This verse is often quoted but rarely pondered deeply. Its meaning is profound. Religious difference is not just tolerated, but respected. Islam acknowledges the moral agency of every human being — the right to choose, believe, question, and even disagree. This aligns strongly with India's constitutional vision, which upholds the freedom of religion as a fundamental right. But as we’ve seen, both in India and globally, this ideal is under strain. Communal tensions, mob violence, hate speech, and religious polarization are becoming alarmingly common. In many cases, people are judged not by their character, but by their creed. But here’s the critical point. Faith should never be used to fracture society. If anything, it should be a bridge. Who Owns Guidance? Only God One of the most humbling teachings of Islam is that guidance is not in human hands. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself was told: “It is not for you to guide them. But it is Allah who guides whom He wills.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:272) This is crucial. It reminds Muslims that their role is not to judge, but to convey. Not to coerce, but to witness the truth through character and action. Too often, in today's world, we find people (religious or otherwise) playing the role of guardians, eager to create disputes among communities. This mindset has spilled into our politics, our social discourse, and even into the very algorithms that shape our online worlds. But faith, true faith, requires humility, not arrogance. God alone is the Judge. Our job is to live righteously, speak truthfully, and respect the sacred space of the other. Why Do We Still Fail? If these principles are so clear, then why do so many Muslim communities and others fail to live by them? It’s tempting to blame poverty, colonial legacies, or political instability. And yes, these are real issues. But the truth is often more uncomfortable. Sometimes, the real culprit is greed: the hunger for power, influence, and wealth, even if it means dividing society. Sometimes it’s misunderstanding: a warped interpretation of religion that forgets the spirit and clings to literalism. And often, it's fear — fear of the other, fear of losing one’s identity, fear of change. But fear should not drive our societies. Hope should. Tolerance is the Fruit of Coexistence One of the most beautiful lines I’ve heard is this: “Tolerance is not the beginning of coexistence; it is the result of it.” You cannot be tolerant of someone you don’t know. You cannot respect the faith of someone you've never spoken to. Tolerance grows from shared spaces, shared struggles, and shared humanity. This is why segregation, whether social, religious, or even digital, is dangerous. It builds echo chambers. It dehumanizes. It teaches people to fear shadows instead of engaging with real people. In India, our streets, markets, festivals, and public squares have always been places where diversity breathes. We must protect those spaces, both physically and culturally. This is where tolerance is born. When we embrace tolerance and coexistence, the result is not just peace. It is civilization. A rich, textured, resilient civilization that can withstand political storms and economic shocks, because it is rooted in human dignity. This is not idealism. This is strategy. It is how India remained one nation despite its many tongues and traditions. It is how the Islamic civilization produced centuries of scholarship, art, and ethics across continents. And it is how the world, if it hopes to survive the 21st century, must learn to live again. In the Qur’an, God tells the angels: “I will place a vicegerent on Earth.” They asked: “Will You place in it one who will spread corruption and shed blood, while we glorify You?” God replied: “I know what you do not know.”(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30) That verse is a reminder of both our potential for destruction and our capacity for greatness. God knew what we are capable of. The question is: do we? The Way Forward The way forward is not utopia. There will always be differences. There will always be disagreements. But the measure of a society is not how uniform it is. It is how it treats those who are different. Let us return to the basics: Respect difference as part of the divine plan. Speak with humility, not judgment. Build relationships across faiths and ideologies. And above all, choose coexistence — not because it is easy, but because it is right. If we do this, then perhaps, just perhaps, we can give the next generation not just a peaceful society, but a civilizational legacy worth inheriting. Because in the end, the one truth we all share is this: we are neighbours on the same Earth. ------ Kaniz Fatma is an Islamic scholar, and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/forgotten-coexistence-islam-divided-world/d/136700 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