Moses Adeleke Adeoye, Muhammad Arifudin

Tracing Theology and Historical Praxis in Early Muslim-Christian Relations

Introduction

Tracing theology and historical praxis in early muslim-christian relations. Examines charity's theological & historical praxis in early Muslim-Christian relations. Discover shared commitments that foster interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding & coexistence.

Abstract

In an era marked by religious pluralism and socio-political tensions, constructive engagement between Muslims and Christians has become both a theological necessity and a social imperative. This paper explored the theological and historical praxis of charity in early Muslim and Christian communities as a basis for fostering deeper mutual understanding and cooperation. Employing a qualitative, historical-comparative method, the research draws on primary sources—including the Qur’an, Hadith, the New Testament, and early theological writings—supplemented by secondary scholarly interpretations. Through historical-critical analysis, theological exegesis, and comparative theology, the study examines how zakat and ṣadaqah in Islam, and agape-inspired almsgiving in Christianity, were developed and practised as religious imperatives and social ethics. Findings reveal that Islam conceptualises charity primarily as an obligatory act of worship and social justice, rooted in divine command, while Christianity emphasises voluntary, grace-filled giving as a manifestation of God’s unconditional love. Despite these differences, both traditions converge on the ethical imperatives of compassion, equity, and care for the marginalised. Furthermore, the study identifies practical pathways for interfaith cooperation, including joint educational initiatives, scholarly collaborations, leadership engagement, and grassroots charitable projects. The research concludes that charity offers a transformative platform for Muslim-Christian dialogue, serving as both a theological bridge and a social resource. It contributes to comparative theology and interfaith studies by demonstrating that shared commitments to charity can advance peacebuilding, ethical solidarity, and constructive coexistence in pluralistic societies.

Review

The paper, "Tracing Theology and Historical Praxis in Early Muslim-Christian Relations," addresses a highly pertinent and timely subject: the potential for constructive engagement between Muslims and Christians through a focused examination of charity. By employing a robust qualitative, historical-comparative methodology, drawing on primary sources such as the Qur'an, Hadith, New Testament, and early theological writings, the research effectively positions itself as a significant contribution to comparative theology and interfaith studies. Its stated goal of fostering deeper mutual understanding and cooperation through the lens of charitable praxis is both ambitious and critically important in our religiously pluralistic and often tense global landscape. The strength of this study lies in its detailed analysis of how *zakat* and *ṣadaqah* in Islam, and *agape*-inspired almsgiving in Christianity, were conceptualized and practiced. The abstract effectively highlights the nuanced differences, portraying Islamic charity primarily as an obligatory act of worship and social justice rooted in divine command, and Christian charity as voluntary, grace-filled giving reflecting God's unconditional love. Crucially, the paper identifies compelling points of convergence between these traditions around the ethical imperatives of compassion, equity, and care for the marginalized. The interdisciplinary approach, integrating historical-critical analysis, theological exegesis, and comparative theology, appears well-suited to unlock these complex layers of meaning and practice. Furthermore, the identification of practical pathways for interfaith cooperation—including joint educational initiatives, scholarly collaborations, leadership engagement, and grassroots projects—moves beyond theoretical analysis to offer tangible avenues for real-world impact. The research convincingly argues that charity serves as a transformative platform, functioning as both a theological bridge and a social resource for Muslim-Christian dialogue. While the abstract strongly emphasizes convergence and positive pathways, a more detailed exploration of historical moments where divergences in charitable praxis may have contributed to tension, or how different theological interpretations posed practical challenges to cooperation, might further enrich the discussion in the full paper. Nevertheless, the study's overall contribution to demonstrating that shared commitments to charity can advance peacebuilding, ethical solidarity, and constructive coexistence is highly valuable. This paper appears to offer an insightful and well-structured argument, providing a solid foundation for future scholarship and practical interfaith initiatives.

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