Toward a Pluralistic Understanding of the Qurʾānic Message

Reconciling Inclusivism and Tradition in Islamic Exegesis

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of tolerance and pluralism in the Qur’an, particularly through the lens of verses that advocate for an inclusive approach to people of different faiths. Verses such as 2:62 and 5:69 emphasize that belief in God and righteous deeds are the key to salvation, regardless of one’s specific religious identity. However, these inclusive messages have often been overshadowed in Islamic scholarship by more exclusivist interpretations, such as those found in verses like 3:85 and 5:3, which are traditionally understood to affirm the superiority of Islam and its exclusive path to salvation. The majority of Muslim scholars throughout history have favored an exclusivist reading of the Qur’an, interpreting universalist verses in light of theological traditions that emphasize Islam’s finality. This interpretation is supported by a well-established exegetical tradition and reinforced by hadith, such as the one asserting that non-Muslims who reject the Prophet Muhammad’s message will be condemned to hell. In contrast, this paper suggests that a more pluralistic and universalist understanding of the Qur’anic message can be achieved by remaining faithful to traditional Islamic methodologies, but differing in the application of their interpretations. This approach highlights that the Qur’an presents a continuity of revelation, acknowledging the legitimacy of previous prophets and religious communities, as seen in verses such as 4:163-164 and 42:13. These verses imply that Islam is part of a broader tradition of submission (islām) to God, a way of life shared by all prophets and their followers throughout history. Moreover, the paper contends that the exclusivist interpretations have often strained philology and neglected the original linguistic meanings of key terms, such as “islām,” which in the Qur’anic context refers more broadly to submission to God’s will, rather than a specific historical religion. By revisiting the original meanings of these terms and engaging with the Qur’an’s inclusive messages, it is possible to foster a more pluralistic and tolerant interpretation of Islam, one that remains rooted in its foundational texts while acknowledging the diversity of human religious experience. This pluralism aligns with the Qur’anic ethos of reverence toward God and good deeds as the ultimate criteria for divine favor, as highlighted in 5:48 and 49:13.