Pluralism and diversity in the Sirah literature a study of the contemporary scholars on Prophet Muhammad SAW

The term 'pluralism' is one of the most ideIN used terms in both theoretical and empirical discourses in the present world order "...whose diversity of cultures. belief systems and values inspires both exhilaration at the endless shadings of human expression and dread of irreconcilable conflict" ' . Like the words 'liberal'. 'progressive' and 'democratic', it has also become a slogan in the postmodern era. In spite of becoming a buzzword. pluralism is still a complex and multifaceted concept with a multitude of contextual connotations. It is used from simple literal meaning to political. cultural. legal. religious and most complex philosophical cum metaphysical spheres. Different people understand and use the term pluralism in different meanings and contexts, at the same time, "when some people hear the term "pluralism." they think of an "anything goes" moral relativism that seeks to mix all religions into one". In the same vein the critics of pluralism have often equated it "%\ ith moral relativism that mixes all religious and cultural traditions into one and thus demolishes genuine differences between them." 3In order to evade such confusion, a detailed and comprehensive account of pluralism is needed. I therefore. in this chapter made an attempt: to define the term literally: to present the views of some prominent scholars: to give a brief historical account, and to mention various modes of pluralism. Etymologically. the word pluralism is derived from plural (containing, more than one: consisting of, involving, or designating to or more)." According to the Online Etymology Dictionary. it was attested as a term in philosophy in 1882 and. in political science, only from 1919. In 1933 it is recognised as referring to a "theory which opposes monolithic state po\%er" and in the general sense of "toleration of diversity within a society or state,