Assalaamu alaikum [peace be to you],

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Is Co-existence Possible? An Islamic Response
The Short Answer Islam gives is: Just and peaceful co-existence is imperative, possible and feasible.
- Imperative because there is no other acceptable option.
- Possible because it did exist and still exists.
- Feasible because we have to be optimists in the face of our common challenges

A Key Qur'anic Verse on Peaceful Co-Existence:
لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ
“Allah does not forbid you [Muslims], in regard to those [other communities] who do not fight against you because of [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing with them in kindness [Birr]and justice [Qist].Surely, Allah loves those who act justly”
translation of verse 60:8

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Verse Analysis:
a- a Divine Command
- This is a Command from Allah, The One and only Creator and Sustainer of the universe and Lord of all humans & other creation.
- The Divine authority & sanction of the command [not just political correctness]
- Command came through all prophets and is consonant with pure innate human nature.
- Accountability for non-compliance in this life and in the life to come.

b- Two Conditions:
-What are Muslims entitled to?
-1. Not to be fought against because of religious choice and commitment
-2. Not to be severely oppressed and driven from their homes

The two conditions are fully consistent with other Qur’anic verses such as:
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَاتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ
To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid
الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِن دِيَارِهِم بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَن يَقُولُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).
Translation of verses 22:39-40

and
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors.
وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَخْرِجُوهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ أَخْرَجُوكُمْ ۚ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُقَاتِلُوهُمْ عِندَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ حَتَّىٰ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِيهِ ۖ فَإِن قَاتَلُوكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوهُمْ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ
And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, for oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ لِلَّهِ ۖ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَلَا عُدْوَانَ إِلَّا عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
And fight them on until there is no more oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors.
Translation of verses 2:190-194

c- Two Reciprocal Rights
In return, Other peaceful and just communities are entitled to:
1. To be dealt with in kindness. Qur’anic term 'Birr' (see the verse in the beginning) is more than kindness.
2. To be dealt with in justice. Qur’anic term 'Qist' is more than justice.
There is a Powerful motive for Muslims to comply to God's command: to be blessed with the love of Allah.

from "Is Co-existence Possible? An Islamic Response" [link] by Dr Jamal A. Badawi, Professor Emeritus, St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada

To be continued in part 2:

You can find more of Dr Jamal Badawi's articles in his website: [link] he is a famous Muslim scholar.

IN THE DRAWING:
The Muslim girl has the Arabic word "ISLAM" in her shirt.

BE CAREFUL:
All Islamophobic websites enjoy attacking the Qur'an using the verse 2:191. but they:
1- deliberately do not quote the whole verse.
2- deliberately never quote the whole 'set' of verses 2:190-194 for the reader to have a clear understanding of the context.
they just quote "And slay them wherever ye catch them" and end it with "..." this dishonesty in quoting the Qur'an led some non-Muslims (who do not take their time to verify what they read) to believe the Qur'an, and Islam in general, to be violent and aggressive. this is not true. and someone has to be careful from such lying websites and dishonest authors who claim to have knowledge about Islam. when you read such things, go and verify what the Qur'an says, read the commentary, or ask a Muslim to direct you to any articles that explain the said verses. this will allow you to listen to both sides and be fair in your conclusions

For more about Islam and Coexistence:

If I am right, it's from the God. if I am wrong, it's from myself.