Qurʾānic Ethics of Religious Coexistence: A Comparative Study of Classical and Contemporary Tafsīr

Abstract

This study explores the Qurʾānic ethical framework for religious coexistence through a comparative analysis of classical and contemporary tafsīr literature. It examines key Qurʾānic concepts such as justice (ʿadl), mercy (raḥmah), freedom of belief, and respectful engagement with religious others, analyzing how these principles have been interpreted by classical exegetes like al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, and al-Qurṭubī, and rearticulated by contemporary scholars including Muḥammad ʿAbduh, Rashīd Razā, and Fazlur Rahman. Employing a qualitative and analytical methodology, the study highlights both continuity and evolution in exegetical approaches, demonstrating how contextual factors shape interpretations of interreligious relations. The research argues that while classical tafsīr often reflected the socio-political realities of its time, contemporary interpretations increasingly emphasize ethical universality, pluralism, and peaceful coexistence. By situating Qurʾānic ethics within changing historical and social contexts, this study contributes to current scholarly discourse on Islam and interfaith relations, offering a normative framework for fostering religious coexistence in pluralistic societies grounded in Qurʾānic moral principles.