Abstract
Inclusive religious interpretations accept that a salvation beyond their teachings can be found. Whether Islam accepts inclusive religious interpretations or not, constitutes one of the most debated issues related to Islam in our days. In this paper it is argued that, although al-Maturidi’s views can hardly be described as inclusive, the dynamic rationalistic Maturidite theology (so-called Maturidite “software”) may help produce inclusive Islamic interpretations. In addition to the key two principles of rationalistic Maturidite theology, especially the Maturidite understanding of the fate of people not exposed to divine mission, may be understood as accepting that the people may reach faith which is similar to valid through their reason, and they may be saved hereafter, although they do not believe in Islamic teachings in a strict sense. This Maturidite position can also be used to justify the inclusive understanding of Quranic verses. By and large, Maturidite theological views analyzed in this article can be seen as factors laying the grounds to develop inclusive Islamic interpretations.
Highlights
Exclusivity–Inclusivity Debate and Islam exclusivity and inclusivity in religious traditions have been interpreted in different ways (Bakar 2009, p. 6), the most popular interpretation of exclusivity and inclusivity pertains to the issue of the possibility of post-humus salvation outside one’s own belief and faith system
Religious inclusivism is not welcomed by many believers, since they tend to believe that they would be in danger of losing their own faith, if they were to admit the opportunity of salvation beyond their own religious traditions (Bakar 2009, p. 6)
We argue that rationalistic Islamic theology, by which in this article we denote Maturidism, may have a potential to produce inclusive Islamic interpretations
Summary
Exclusivity and inclusivity in religious traditions have been interpreted in different ways (Bakar 2009, p. 6), the most popular interpretation of exclusivity and inclusivity pertains to the issue of the possibility of post-humus salvation outside one’s own belief and faith system. Exclusivity and inclusivity in religious traditions have been interpreted in different ways The Muslims tend to narrowly interpret and literally understand the following Quranic verses, where the message of universality and inclusivity can be inferred, “True religion before Allah is I/islam (submission to His will)” (3:19); “If anyone seeks a religion other than (I/islam) complete devotion to God, it will not be accepted from him . In this article we argue that it is needed to move from exclusivism-inclined al-Maturidi views to inclusivism-inclined Maturidite rationalistic principles. While the limits of al-Maturidi’s inclusiveness need to be acknowledged, the rationalistic Maturidite theology, its two principles, which are briefly touched in this article, can be used to produce inclusive Islamic understandings. From Exclusivism-Inclined Al-Maturidi Views (Maturidite “Hardware”) to Inclusivism-Inclined Maturidite Rationalistic Principles (Maturidite “Software”) to Produce
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