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Each year, as the crescent moon of Ramadan reappears in the night sky, it carries with it a significant spiritual peace that transforms the lives of nearly two billion Muslims across the globe. The shift is almost immediate. The fast-paced noise of life slows down. The heart begins to soften, and our calendars reorient around the times of suhoor and iftar, our tongues remember The Quran, and our hearts yearn for the blessings and great rewards that come with Laylat al-Qadr, the most anticipated nights of the year. In many ways, Ramadan becomes a spiritual awakening and cleansing where we are forced to take a pause from the things that interrupt us in becoming closer to Allah (SWT), and where we recenter our souls on what truly matters which is our relationship with our Lord, our duties to others, and our responsibility as stewards of truth, mercy, and justice on earth.
While the internal transformation of that believer is at the heart of Ramadan’s power, it would be a profound oversight to think that the spirit of Ramadan ends at the threshold of the masjid or the walls of our homes. Ramadan is not only an intensely personal journey, it is also an intensely communal one. It is a time when Muslim communities open their doors, host iftar meals, run food banks, invite neighbors, give more to charity, and engage more visibly with the world around them. There is a particular noor that emanates from Muslims during this month, and in a time when the global community continues to grapple with religious tension, mutual suspicion, and cultural divides, that light offers something invaluable, and that is the chance to build meaningful interfaith bridges.
This may not be the first thing Muslims think of when the word “Ramadan” is mentioned. After all, the month is primarily about our submission to Allah (SWT) through fasting, prayer, charity, and reflection. However, in light of The Quran’s message and the blueprint of our Prophet (SAW), it becomes evident that one of the most overlooked gifts of Ramadan is its potential to open hearts, not only among Muslims, but also between Muslims and their non-Muslim neighbors, colleagues, classmates, and fellow citizens. The intense spirituality of the month has the power to soften not just our own hearts, but to disarm the suspicions and misunderstandings that so often plague perceptions of Islam. This is not a modern idea or a Western social project. It is deeply rooted in our tradition. The Quran presents humanity as a diverse creation of Allah (SWT), and that diversity is not something to be erased or feared, it is something to be understood.
Allah (SWT) says, “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (The Clear Quran®, 49:13)
This verse is not limited to Muslims. Allah (SWT) has not explicitly just mentioned Muslims here. It addresses all of humanity, and that our differences in language, ethnicity, and religion are part of the divine design of Allah (SWT).
As a result, we cannot look at Ramadan as just a month of abstinence. It becomes a platform for human connection, for spiritual witness, and for demonstrating, through both words and deeds, the beauty of Islam in its most sincere and authentic form. Around the world, statistics show that the visibility of Muslims increases dramatically during Ramadan. Whether it’s through public iftar events, charitable campaigns, or news coverage, the month offers a unique window in which non-Muslims actively engage with Muslim communities, often for the first time.
According to a 2017 report from the Pew Research Center, How the U.S. general public views Muslims and Islam, approximately 69% of Americans admit that Muslims face more discrimination than blacks (59%) and Hispanics (56%). Further, a total of 53% of Americans believe that the representation of Muslims in the media is unfair to them. This gap between what is seen on a screen and what is experienced when you actually meet a Muslim creates a critical challenge (in 2016, 41% of Americans said Islam is more likely to encourage violence). Ramadan, then, becomes a great opportunity for dawah for both adults and, especially, the youth. However, this work cannot remain external. When Muslims engage in interfaith efforts during Ramadan, something remarkable happens.
We are forced to reflect more deeply on the universality of our values. We begin to articulate our beliefs more clearly. We develop patience, wisdom, and understanding. Our compassion expands, and in doing so, we fulfill one of the core missions of the Prophet (SAW) himself, and that is to be a mercy to all the worlds. “We have sent you O Prophet only as a mercy for the whole world.” (The Clear Quran®, 21:107)
In the following article, we will explore The Quranic basis for interfaith engagement in Islam, examine the unique spiritual and social power of Ramadan in facilitating these efforts, and share examples from history and the modern world where Muslim communities have used Ramadan to build bonds across the boundaries of faith. We will also look at practical strategies for how Muslims today can thoughtfully, respectfully, and confidently engage in interfaith dialogue during the month of Ramadan without compromising our values.
The qualities of Ramadan that make it the best month for interfaith efforts
In every human being, there is a heart that can either draw closer to the truth or turn away from it, and the nature of the heart is that it changes, it is not in the same state all the time. Just as the seasons affect the soil and atmosphere of the earth, making it more or less ready to produce bounties, so too do spiritual seasons affect the heart. Ramadan, by the will of our Creator, is a time in which the human heart is more inclined to reflect, receive, and listen. It is a month in which the fitrah begins to reach towards religion even in people who may not typically consider matters of faith. Additionally, for those who are striving to live upon the guidance of Islam, this spiritual softness becomes the backdrop against which meaningful and sincere interfaith engagement can unfold.
During Ramadan, Muslims literally change their lifestyles for the better, and people take notice of it. Fasting becomes visible in the workplace and in schools when Muslims “cannot even drink any water!” Colleagues may inquire about skipped lunches, accommodations are made for energy levels and prayer breaks, and suddenly, the everyday habits of Muslims become more apparent, and so does the curiosity—”How do you fast so long without even water? What’s the purpose behind it? Do you do this every year?” These questions then open the door not only to explaining the reasoning behind it, but to also empower the values of discipline, God-consciousness, empathy for the poor, and gratitude.
The Prophet (SAW) has always responded to sincere questions with honesty and dignity, never shying away from truth but always respecting the one who asks such questions. We must also do the same. Ramadan, then, offers us the best setting for this that when we ourselves are in a heightened spiritual state, and when those around us are more open to hearing about it, it can bridge many gaps in just mere moments. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, How common is religious fasting in the United States, 40% of Jewish Americans, 27% of Christians, 40% of Catholics, 18% of Protestants, 34% of Black Christians, and 16% of White Evangelicals all fast because of religious reasons.
According to some sources, Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), the beloved cousin and son-in-law of our Prophet (SAW) is recorded to have said, “People are of two kinds: either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity.”
This profound sentiment is not only fully-aligned with the essence of Islam, but also certainly worth espousing.
For Muslims, our mosques fill with guests both Muslims and non-Muslims. The simple act of sharing an iftar dinner becomes, without much effort, a living embodiment of Islam’s values – dawah in action. No debate, no friction, just warmth, generosity, and the beautiful etiquette of the Sunnah. When hospitality is offered sincerely, it touches something deep in the heart. The Prophet (SAW) was known for his generosity and it increased in Ramadan way more than any other time. Ibn Abbas has said, “The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan… more generous than a swift wind.”
(Sahih Bukhari) This generosity, however, was never limited to believers. His home, his masjid, and table spread were open to the seeker and skeptic alike.
Additionally, there is something deeply human, and deeply admirable about voluntary restraint. In a world that encourages indulgence, the sight of a Muslim quietly refraining from food, drink, or even unnecessary speech can leave an impression. For many non-Muslims, fasting is either unfamiliar, or even seen as an extreme. However, when they see Muslims fasting with grace and great enthusiasm, continuing their work and service while abstaining for the sake of their Lord, it stirs a respect that no argument can demand. When that restraint is then coupled with good character, where you exhibit patience, calmness, generosity, and humility, it becomes a witness to the Prophetic mission itself. The Prophet (SAW) himself has said, “Indeed, I was only sent to perfect good character.” (Musnad Ahmad)
As a result, sacred times affect everyone. Even those who may not believe in Islam, or in any religion, can sense the weight of Ramadan. Something about the way Muslims carry themselves during this month invites reflection. Even among non-Muslims, you’ll often find respect for the spiritual discipline of fasting, or admiration for the sense of community Ramadan brings. Hearts that have been hardened by prejudice or ignorance begin to soften only when they witness sincerity. Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “Invite all to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner. Surely your Lord alone knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is rightly guided.” (The Clear Quran®, 16:125)
Historical and modern examples of interfaith engagement
One of the most significant examples of interfaith engagement in the life of the Prophet (SAW) occurred when he received a delegation of Christian leaders from Najran. This delegation, comprising around 60 people including scholars and tribal leaders, came to Madinah in the ninth year after Hijrah to engage in theological dialogue with the Prophet (SAW) about the nature of God and the position of Prophet Isa (AS). What is striking is the depth of theological discussion, referenced in verses such as, “Say, O Prophet, ‘O People of the Book! Let us come to common terms: that we will worship none but Allah, associate none with Him, nor take one another as lords instead of Allah.’ But if they turn away, then say, ‘Bear witness that we have submitted to Allah alone.’” (The Clear Quran®, 3:64)
In many parts of the Muslim world, non-Muslim communities lived alongside Muslims and shared in the social routines of Ramadan, even if they did not fast themselves. In cities like Cairo, Damascus, Baghdad, Granada, and Istanbul, the sight of Muslims fasting was a visible, public marker of the Islamic calendar, and one that non-Muslims became familiar with and often respected. In Ottoman Istanbul, for example, it was common for Christian and Jewish neighbors to exchange gifts with Muslims during Ramadan or to contribute to iftar preparations, especially for the poor. Historical records show that some non-Muslims would join in charitable efforts by donating to soup kitchens (imarets) that served free meals at sunset, knowing that the feeding of the fasting was a highly rewarded act in Islam.
Furthermore, jurists and scholars from various madhahib wrote extensively about the rights of ahl al-dhimmah during Ramadan. Most agreed that there was no requirement for non-Muslims to alter their habits to mimic Muslim fasting, but that it was praiseworthy when non-Muslims chose to respect the sensitivities of the month. This attitude of confident coexistence, firm in aqeedah but generous in spirit, is what many Muslim minorities are striving to revive today. Whether through youth groups organizing Ramadan open houses, masjid boards inviting local officials to break bread, or students explaining Ramadan to classmates during presentations, these quiet acts build bridges, dispel fear, and create neighbors instead of strangers. In South Africa, the late and former President Nelson Mandela used to visit mosques during Ramadan and maintained strong ties with Muslim leaders, particularly for their role in anti-apartheid activism. The United Nations’ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has participated in Ramadan events and praised the role of Islam in promoting peace and humanitarianism. Even diplomatic corps in Brazil host Ramadan receptions in collaboration with embassies of Muslim-majority countries!
“Indeed, Allah commands justice, grace, as well as generosity to close relatives. He forbids indecency, wickedness, and aggression. He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful.” (The Clear Quran®, 16:90)
Guidelines for meaningful and faithful interfaith engagement in Ramadan
It is a mercy from Allah (SWT) that we live in a time when, despite global tensions and misunderstanding, Muslims are increasingly being seen, heard, and engaged with by their neighbors, co-workers, and wider society, and nowhere is this more evident than during the month of Ramadan, when our way of life becomes more visible, and curiosity about Islam rises. However, visibility alone is not sufficient. As Muslims, we are not simply trying to be noticed, we are trying to represent the truth of our religion with integrity. Interfaith engagement, especially during Ramadan, must therefore be done with intentionality, clarity, and sincerity. Below are some guidelines you can follow on how to use Ramadan as an effective platform for interfaith outreach:
- Clarify your niyyah: Our goal here is not to seek the approval of others, nor to water down our beliefs for the sake of being accepted. Our goal is to show the true values of Islam.
- Preserve the spiritual sanctity of this month: For example, your publicly hosted iftar should not turn into a PR marketing event because that meal shared in and of itself has great spiritual weight. Use these moments to share the importance and beauty of spirituality. Don’t be afraid to showcase how strong you are in your Muslim identity, and how great of a religion Islam can be.
- Prioritize your manners: Yes, you will encounter some moments where it may be hard to control how you respond, however, that is what the real test is. Ramadan is the month of restraining your tongue, temper, and ego. Respond to all dialogues with nothing but adab and mercy.
- Collaborate more on shared values: It’s easy to get lost in the discussions of shared theologies, however, more impactful results occur when you discover how many values you share. Feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, standing for justice, etc, these are all critical values that people appreciate, especially when they’re being advocated for.
- Ensure the right people represent the community: This is key. Not every speaker or attendee is suited for the role of explaining Islam, especially in public forums. Select individuals who are grounded in knowledge, sincere in their practice, and respectful in their tone. For truly this faith is an amanah for us.
Your faith is a trust that must be safeguarded at all times
When Allah (SWT) grants us a moment of influence, that moment becomes a trust. Ramadan is exactly that: a time when our actions speak more clearly than our words, and our presence can soften what years of misunderstanding have hardened. Interfaith engagement in this month is not a side effort, it is part of what it means to carry the message of Islam with wisdom and mercy. If a guest is curious, we answer. If a neighbor is hungry, we feed them. If a heart is open, we meet it with clarity and compassion.
What we do now may now show its fruits today, but dawah is a long road, and Ramadan is one of its most fertile stops. We only ask that Allah (SWT) accepts from us what is done with sincerity, and allows us to be a means of guidance, not confusion.
That is enough.
Dua
O Allah! Make us among Your servants who represent this deen with wisdom and mercy. Allow us to reach Ramadan, and aid us in fasting and praying with sincerity.
O Allah! Make our actions in this month a means of guidance for the hearts around us. Spread through it the light of truth, and forgive our shortcomings.
O Allah! Do not let us be a source of confusion or trial for those who do not believe. Indeed, You have power over all things.
Ameen!
