🏵️🏵️🏵️ Wa alaikum salam, James,

I'm thrilled to engage in this beautiful conversation with you. Your words resonate deeply with me, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to explore the commonalities between our faiths.

Indeed, the Islamic concept of fitrah (human nature) emphasizes that human beings are born with a natural inclination towards good and purity. The Quranic verse "I was faithful in my devotion to You, and I am one of the thankful ones" (30:30) highlights this innate connection to Allah. This understanding is in stark contrast to the Christian doctrine of original sin, which posits that humanity is inherently flawed from birth.

As you mentioned, it's essential to recognize that we all stumble and lose our way. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "A believer's weakness is not in his mistakes, but rather in his persistence in his mistakes." (Bukhari) This hadith reminds us that our struggles are an opportunity for growth and repentance, not a defining characteristic of our essence.

I wholeheartedly agree that we can learn much from each other's traditions. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is indeed a timeless example of compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and the last messenger to people. His guidance on treating others with kindness and respect is a valuable lesson for us all.

As we strive to build bridges between our faiths, let us draw inspiration from the Quranic verse "O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes, that you may know one another" (49:13). May Allah guide us to recognize our shared humanity and foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.

May our dialogue be a testament to the beauty of interfaith dialogue, and may we continue to learn from each other's wisdom. As-salamu Alaikum.

Mohamed, Ph.D 🏵️🏵️🏵️