Hagia Sophia and God’s Spirit of Coexistence

 Epigraph:

“…monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of God is much celebrated, would surely have been destroyed…” (Qur’an 22:40)

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During my visit to Istanbul, I visited Hagia Sophia and had some thoughts to share with you. 

The majestic dome of Hagia Sophia has witnessed over fifteen centuries of human devotion. Originally constructed as a church under Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD, this sacred space later became a mosque during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. For nearly a century, from 1935 to 2020, it served as a museum, a neutral ground where all could appreciate its beauty. Today, as visitors enter this historic structure, the image of Christ still greets them at the entrance, creating a poignant reminder of the building's layered spiritual heritage.

History offers us remarkable examples of religious tolerance, particularly in the figure of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. Under his leadership, as both the Roman and Persian Empires came under Islamic rule, not a single church was forcibly converted into a mosque. This approach wasn't merely political pragmatism; it reflected a deeper understanding of divine will and human dignity.

A striking example of his foresight is found in Jerusalem. When offered the chance to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Caliph Umar declined—not because he could not, but because he feared that future generations might misuse his action as a precedent to claim the Church as a mosque. Instead, he prayed outside, and the small Mosque of Umar was later built at that very spot. To this day, it stands beside the Church as a living testament to his vision of coexistence and his commitment to protecting the sanctity of Christian worship.

Caliph Umar's restraint demonstrates that true strength lies not in the ability to dominate others' sacred spaces, but in the wisdom to preserve them. His reign showed that Muslims could expand their faith while simultaneously protecting the religious heritage of others, creating a model of coexistence that honored the sanctity of all genuine worship.

God makes this a topic in the Qur’an when He mentions the places of worship of Christians and Jews before naming mosques in (22:40), emphasizing that these are places where God’s name is much celebrated (refer Epigraph above). It is pertinent to note that God mentions ‘mosques’ at the end of this Qur’an verse.

This Quranic acknowledgment suggests that the conversion of churches, synagogues, or monasteries into mosques may actually contradict the very principle the Quran establishes: that God's name finds expression in diverse forms of worship across different faith communities.

The Quran offers profound insight into why religious diversity exists in the first place. Allah tells us that had He willed, He could have made all humanity one ummah (community), but He chose diversity as a test for us. This divine choice suggests that our differences—including our religious differences—serve a purpose in the greater scheme of creation:
“Had God willed, He could have made you one community, but [He did not] in order to test you in what He has given you. So compete with one another in good works. To God you will all return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you differed.” (Qur’an 5:48)

The famous verse "There is no compulsion in religion, for truth stands out clear from error" (2:256) reinforces this principle. If God Himself has decreed no compulsion in matters of faith, how can we justify actions that effectively erase or diminish the sacred spaces of other faith communities?

The most profound act of faith may well be recognizing that God's name is truly celebrated in many forms, across many traditions, and within many sacred walls. Our task is not to homogenize these expressions but to ensure they all have space to flourish.

In doing so, we honor not only the divine principle of diversity but also the trust that sacred spaces represent, a trust that transcends any single faith community and speaks to our shared humanity before the Divine.

True tolerance isn't just about allowing others to exist; it's about actively protecting their right to worship God according to their conscience, in spaces that hold deep meaning for their communities. This is the test of our time, and how we respond will define our spiritual legacy for generations to come.

Our domain is clearly defined by God:
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.” (16:125)

Faith is strong when it respects the faith of others. The vision of Caliph Umar—who safeguarded churches and even chose to pray outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre so its sanctity would never be compromised—remains a shining example. If only we, in our own age, could embody that same wisdom.

I wish the Turks would restore the Hagia Sophia to its original status as a church, not as a sign of weakness but as the highest expression of strength: a strength that comes from faith, respect, and trust in God’s will for human diversity.

— Aamir Iqbal Yazdani
MPhil in Islamic Thought and Civilization (Pakistan)
MSc in Irrigation Engineering (UK)