Rational Thoughts
By Shafiq Ahmad Dinar Khan
The term pluralism was used by English thinker Wolf (1679-1754) for the first time, which describes to perform different tasks over time in a Church. After that, William James developed the term, which later become a social aspect.
“Pluralism is a situation in which people of different social classes, religions, races, etc. live together in a society but continue to have their different traditions and interests”. Or “the belief that people of different social classes, religions, races, etc., should live together in a society.”
One globe for all human being: As a human, we need to develop a pluralistic approach to know each other because we are living in different continents, regions, societies of the world. Our religion, civilization, culture and way of life is totally different, on that situation to accept the difference and living together in a society or country, is defined as pluralism.
We cannot make this term limited to a few departments. It encompasses every aspect of life. When we see in a time different political parties are going to present their manifestation in front of people and asking for vote.
Economically in a time different companies are selling same product in a market. The same is religious pluralism which is very important and the only solution to current sectarianism in Pakistan, when followers of different religions are to accept the difference of interpretation, practices in tariqah, accept the differences and everyone has the right to do his own practices freely without any hesitation, and people do respect every school of thought and religion.
The opposite of pluralism is monoism, which says that the reality is one, this kind of interpretation is creates polarization. also this type of interpretation is making society unbalanced. that’s why a pluralistic sight is causes goodness for people.
Islam favours pluralism, let us see what Islam says about pluralism. In holy Quran God says:
49:13يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is knowing and acquainted.”
In the age of post modernity pluralism is the only solution to make our Globe peaceful and beautiful. The result of pluralism is peace, justice, rule of law, property, hope, freedom, equality and trust. That is light of hope for homo sapiens.