Though Christianity and Islam have distinct theological beliefs, they share deep common ground in their messages of mercy, justice, and compassion. This dialogue between Jesus (as understood by Christians) and Muhammad (as understood by Muslims) seeks to explore some of the misunderstandings that arise between their followers, focusing on the central values of love and peace that both figures advocated for.

Through this conversation, Paradise aims to illuminate a path toward greater mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence, and social transformation.

Jesus
Peace be upon you, Muhammad. I have come to understand that many people, though they follow my teachings, sometimes misunderstand the true essence of love and peace that I have shared. Many of them struggle with embracing others, especially those who might hold different beliefs.

As you know, I taught that “love your enemies” and “pray for those who persecute you.” Yet, there are often disputes between Christians and Muslims, particularly about the nature of God and how we should relate to one another. How do you view the role of love and peace in dealing with our differences?

Muhammad
Peace be upon you, Jesus. Your message of love is beautiful, and I truly respect the deep compassion that you embodied in your life. Indeed, Islam teaches the importance of mercy, forgiveness, and peaceful coexistence. The Quran says, “If they incline to peace, then incline to it also” (Quran 8:61).

We believe in striving for peace wherever possible, and in extending mercy and forgiveness even to those who wrong us. However, it seems that some misunderstand our positions, especially when it comes to how we view God and His nature. Christians often see your divinity in ways that Muslims find difficult to reconcile with the oneness of God. How can we bridge this theological gap and yet maintain our call for peace?

Jesus
Indeed, I understand the challenge of these theological differences. For many, the belief in my divinity is central to their faith, but I never intended for my message to cause division. I always pointed to God as the Father, the source of all goodness and love. My desire was to guide people toward loving one another, regardless of their differences.

Yet, I know that this misunderstanding about my nature has led to division. For Muslims, the oneness of God, Tawhid, is so central to your faith. How can we reconcile this, especially when people of different beliefs sometimes use these theological differences as reasons for division rather than understanding?

Muhammad
You are right, Jesus. The oneness of God is foundational to Islam. We believe that God is indivisible, and His uniqueness is central to our understanding of His majesty and power. However, that does not mean we should use this difference to fuel hatred or conflict.

In fact, the Quran teaches us that the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) are to be treated with respect and kindness, for we share common prophets and a similar moral framework. As you rightly said, peace and love should guide our actions. While we may differ on the nature of God, we are united in our call for mercy, justice, and compassion. How can we encourage our followers to focus more on what unites us, rather than what divides us?

Jesus
I agree, Muhammad. The key is to focus on our shared values, which are based on love and justice. I taught that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). If we emphasize kindness, forgiveness, and the common good, then the differences in our understanding of God will become secondary.

The truth is, no human being has the complete understanding of the Divine, but we can all agree that God is a God of love, mercy, and justice. By focusing on the practical application of these principles, we can encourage our communities to live peacefully, regardless of theological disagreements.

Muhammad
Yes, Jesus. The Quran also teaches that, “To you be your religion, and to me my religion” (Quran 109:6). We should respect each other’s beliefs and strive to live in harmony. In fact, the Quran says, “And speak to people in a way that is best” (Quran 16:125). This shows the importance of dialogue and respect in how we relate to others, even if their beliefs differ from ours.

I believe the way forward is through dialogue—teaching our followers to see the humanity in one another, to embrace each other’s commonalities, and to work together for justice and peace. If we focus on these shared values, we can transform society into a place of compassion.

Jesus
Absolutely, Muhammad. The core of our messages, though expressed differently, is the same: to love God with all our hearts, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Golden Rule I taught was simple: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

If we, and our followers, truly lived by this principle, we would see an end to the violence and hatred that often divide us. But this requires us to be patient, to endure, and to focus not on the differences, but on the shared human experience. We must work together, across religious and cultural lines, to create a society where justice and mercy prevail.

Muhammad
I couldn’t agree more, Jesus. If we practice this enduring peace, the world will transform. We must inspire our followers to see beyond the labels of “Muslim” or “Christian” and understand that, at the heart of both our faiths, is a call to make the world a better place for all people.

Whether in the streets, in the workplace, or in our homes, we must cultivate peace by showing mercy, forgiving one another, and standing against injustice. The power of mercy is transformative, and it is through mercy that true peace will flourish.

Jesus
So, let us encourage our followers to reflect on the deeper purpose of our messages—building communities of peace, justice, and mercy. Let us teach them that despite our differences, we are all created by the same God, and it is His will for us to live in peace. We must be the examples, Muhammad, of what it means to live humbly and lovingly toward all people. When our communities see us leading with mercy and love, they will follow.

Muhammad
Indeed, Jesus. We must lead by example. The world is in need of peace, and the only way to achieve this is through mutual understanding, respect, and above all, love. May God guide our hearts to lead with wisdom, and may our followers follow the path of peace, compassion, and unity.

This dialogue between Jesus and Muhammad reminds us that despite the theological differences between Christianity and Islam, both faiths share a deep commitment to love, peace, and justice. The key to healing the divisions between their followers lies not in forcing uniformity, but in recognizing our shared humanity and common ethical values.

By embracing mercy, practicing forgiveness, and working together to foster peace, we can transform society into a place of mutual respect and understanding. The path to peace begins with each of us—individually and collectively—choosing to live out the common teachings of love, justice, and mercy.