Theological and Jurisprudential Obstacles of convergence between Muslims and Christians with emphasis on Excommunication and Evangelization

Convergence and exploring commonalities between Islam and Christianity is of the vital elements in the realm of interfaith dialogue. There are some jurisprudential and theological issues in Islamic and Christian teachings that are considered as the main obstacles of convergence. Excommunication (Takfir) in Islam and Evangelization in Christianity are among the most fundamental instances of those obstacles that one of which, is embedded in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and the other in Christian theology. Each of these elements are paving the grounds for developing and promoting extremism and violence within human societies. It is believed that with an accurate recognition of the basis and gaining a profound knowledge and understanding of the angles and jurisprudential and theological argumentations, one can analyze the theories and in the meantime compare them with the ideas of the other Jurisprudents and theologians to provide the solutions for the obstacles of convergence between the two monotheistic religions.

This research believes in the principles of non-excommunication in Islamic jurisprudence and evangelization only among the Jews or Greek polytheists in Christian teachings, hence with an accurate comprehension of the original teachings of both religions, we can step forward in convergence between Muslims and Christians.