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Fatwa CenterMeaning and importance of dialogue
Question
what is meant by dialogue and importance of dialogues.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Dialogue is included in the term argumentation as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.} [Quran 16:125]
Argumentation is to negotiate as a means of disputing and trying to win the argument over the opponent. This is how Ar-Raaghib Al-Asfahaani defined it in his book entitled Ghareeb Al-Quran.
Dialogue is of great importance in Islam, which is why the Quran gave it great importance, instructed people to practice it and clarified its methods and etiquettes very well. Among them is the following:
1- Being just and kind with the opponent as in the Saying of Allaah The Almighty (which means): {And indeed, we or you are either upon guidance or in clear error.” Say, “You will not be asked about what we committed, and we will not be asked about what you do.”} [Quran 34: 24-25]
2- Choosing good words and the best manners; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And speak to people good [words].} [Quran 2:83] Allaah The Almighty also Says (what means) [as in the previous verse]: {…and argue with them in a way that is best.} [Quran 16:125]
There are many other means of dialogue but this is not the place to mention them. The two previous examples were mentioned to emphasize their importance. Indeed, numerous books have been published in this regard, which you may look for and find.
Finally, it should be noted that among the most important objectives of dialogue in Islam is to clarify the truth and unveil falsehood, and to endeavor to guide humankind to the right path.
Indeed, there is a difference between this kind of dialogue and raising empty slogans, whose purpose is nothing but to dissolve the principles of Islam in other principles so that there would be no distinction for Islam over other religions, so one should be careful of this.
Allaah Knows best.
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