One significant aspect of the culture of Islam is dialogue. It is mentioned thus in the Quran: “They conduct their affairs by mutual consultation.” (42:38). This verse indicates that Muslims should base their dealings on dialogue and mutual discussion.

Debate on the other hand is quite different from dialogue. Debate is conducted between two parties, each trying to prove its superiority over the other, while the essence of dialogue is mutual learning without any bias. In dialogue, there are also two or more parties, but no party tries to establish its superiority over the other. Everyone tries to learn from the other. Everyone tries, in the sharing of experiences, to increase their knowledge. Dialogue is a healthy practice, whereas debate is a kind of intellectual wrangling.

In family life, in social life and in national life, it is good to develop the habit of mutual consultation. It leads to intellectual development for everyone.

The practice of consultation (shura) was common among the Companions of the Prophet of Islam. For example, it is reported of Umar bin al-Khattab, the second Caliph, that he used to learn from everyone. This means that it was a general habit of his to engage in serious dialogue with everyone he met. He would thereby learn something new to enhance his wisdom and knowledge.

There is great benefit in mutual discussion as everyone gains some new knowledge or experience through this. When one conducts a serious dialogue with another person, both derive some benefit from this. Both enrich their minds and progress on the path of intellectual development.

The Quranic word shura is generally taken to be a political term but, in fact, it is not. “Political shura” may be a way of proceeding in Muslim society, but it is only an occasional occurrence. In this sense, it is only a small part of Muslim life. On the other hand, in general non-political terms, shura is a daily part of Muslim life. In family life, in social life and in national life, it is good to develop the habit of mutual consultation. It leads to intellectual development for everyone.