The way Muslims understand the Qur'an has shaped their common interreligious perception. This article selects different Qur'anic verses that influenced Muslims in relation to people of other faiths beyond their [Islam]. The main goal of this paper is to show how even Quranic verses that might sound harsh to the ears of other believers can be read with sensitivity and understanding in the modern world.
To achieve this, the article provides a historical analysis of the relevant Qur'anic verses along with some current discussions on the issue. Generally speaking, the Qur'an seems more appropriate for cultural and social pluralism than for theological pluralism or dogmatic syncretism. In addition, the Qur'an considers doing good—or competing in doing good—vital in the lives of people of different religious groups. Regardless, the Qur'an accepts the followers of the Book as they are and does not close the door to their exercise of religious freedom.
Key words: Mecca, Medina, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Sabeans Holy Scriptures, the Qur’an, Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad. Zoroastrians, as well as an imprecisely defined group called the Sabeans