Islam began Ecumenical, but then moved to an Exclusive message in 100 years!

In the second series on the subject, Chris introduces another facet of early Islam, the introduction of Exclusivity within Islam within the first 100 - 200 years. Much of what he proposes comes from Dr. Fred Donner's book, "Muhammad and the Believers, at the Origins of Islam". Donner proposes that in its very early stages, in the 7th century, Islam was very ecumenical, so that the prophet Muhammad wanted to unify the monotheists (i.e. the Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians) into one community. To support this notion Chris turned to the Qur'an itself, where you can find a number of verses that suggest this ecumenical view. Surah 2:62 says that Jews, Christians, and Sabeans all agreed in the doctrines of the Last Days and righteousness, so that they would all be together in Paradise. Surah 5:69 says that whoever amongst the Jews and Christians believed in Allah and the Last days and does good, they would have no fear, nor be grieved. Surah 3:113-114 says that some amongst the 'People of the Book' (Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians) who are upright and do pray, and believe in Allah and the Last days, so they will be righteous. Surah 5:111 says that those amongst the disciples of Isa who believe in Allah and his messenger will be called Muslims. This suggests that there will be some Christians and Jews who were close to Islam in this early period. But there are other verses which suggest that not all Christians and Jews were with the Muslims. Surah 9:29 backs this notion by stipulated that those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day among the people of the Book must be fought. The architecture of that time seems to suggest a likewise Ecumenical fervor within Islam. The Maronite Chronicle of 660 AD, written during the rule of Muawiya, the Umayyad caliph says that he prayed at Golgotha and permitted the Christians to build churches, suggesting an ecumenical attitude. The Cathedral of John the Baptist in Damascus had both Christians and Muslims worship within its walls upto 706 AD. The Inscription of Muawiya written in Ta'if in 663 by Muawiya has a cross on its upper left corner, suggesting an ecumenical support. While these examples could support an ecumenical viewpoint within early Islam, at least in the 7th century, Jay believes that these artifacts, coupled with coins suggest something else; namely, that they are representative of a very Christian environment, with Trinitarians and anti-Trinitarians (Arians) vying for power and control from the time of Muawiya, and especially during the time of Abd al-Malik. You decide what you think is going on in this time period and at that place. © Pfander Centre for Apologetics & Polemics - US, February 13, 2025 (128,160)