Fourteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

This paper concentrates on the social relationship between Muslims and non–Muslims and the religious tolerance used by the Abbasid caliphs who came to the rule in 749 A.D. During their rule, the society consisted of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sabians and Majians. It was said that the Abbasid Caliphs made covenants as the prophet Muhammad did with Christians of Najran and the Jews of Medina in Arabia. Those kind of covenants promised security and protection to their religious places and their life. Therefore, their churches, synagogues and temples increased in number. Moreover, the Caliph Mamun organized a consultative committee in Baghdad which consisted of all religious sects to solve their problems or to listen to their requests. The Muslims shared with non-Muslims their celebrations and festivals, and also partook of their food and drink as the historian Shabushti mentions in his book (Diyarat) the monasteries.