Image by Frère Stéphane Martin-Prével
The life of Saint Francis of Assisi was celebrated this year, 2026, as part of the commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. In 2019, we celebrated another 800th anniversary, which was to do with Francis’s encounter with Islam in a time of bitter hostility. It would be good to reflect on his example this month which has been designated Islamophobia Awareness Month.
During the 5th Crusade St Francis of Assisi and a companion, Illuminato, crossed enemy lines and entered into the sultan's camp. He met with Sultan Malik al-Kamil and his Sufi adviser Fakhr al-Farisi in 1219 in Damietta, Egypt. Francis surprised the sultan with his standard greeting. ‘May the Lord give you peace.’ It perplexed the sultan. He noticed the similarity between Francis’ greeting and the familiar Muslim greeting of peace, “Assalam o alaikum” or “peace be upon you.”
Maybe that is why Francis was accepted and given an opportunity to proclaim his faith in Jesus to the sultan himself. The Quran urges Muslims to be courteous to those who use a greeting of peace: Say not to those who greet you with peace, “You are not a believer.” (The Quran: Women 4:94) and When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. (The Quran: Women 4:86)
Uncertain about his visitors’ intentions, the sultan asked if they had come as representatives of the pope’s army. “We are ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ”, Francis responded, asserting that he was God’s ambassador, not the pope’s. This daring little man and his companion intrigued Sultan al-Kamil. They even resembled the similarly dressed men who followed the Sufi way that the sultan revered for their mystical insight into Islam. Sufism is not a sect of Islam, but a particular influence within Islam. Al-Kamil had a prominent Sufi as his religious adviser and he saw Francis in the light of Sufism and the Muslim tradition calling for respect for Christian monks.
‘If you wish to believe us, we will hand over your soul to God,’ Francis continued.
Whatever Francis said, the sultan became very attentive to and listened closely. It was an amazing scene of a monk preaching the Christian faith to a Muslim monarch in the middle of a war. The sultan’s religious advisors were rushed into his tent. Once they found out that al-Kamil was going to let Francis preach, they warned him that this would violate Islamic law.
Influenced by Sufism, al-Kamil believed he was acting within Islamic law in listening to Francis and Illuminato. The Quran does not prescribe or even refer to the death penalty for blasphemy. Indeed, the Quran suggests tolerance in the situation faced by the sultan: And you shall certainly hear much that will insult you from those who received the Scripture before you and from the polytheists. But if you persevere patiently and guard against evil, this will be the best course with which to determine your affairs. (The Quran: The House of Imran 3:186)
St. Francis never spoke against Muhammad or his message or said that the sultan was wrong in his beliefs. The sultan was therefore willing to listen to Francis speak of why he followed his Saviour, Jesus Christ and invited him to stay some days. That space of kindness, respect, and new friendship was maintained throughout their time together. St. Francis of Assisi is warmly remembered by Muslims as “The Monk” who came to visit.
Gentle conversation, mutual respect, being honourably received, and eating together. These were all hallmarks of the encounter. Francis even brokered a peace agreement, resulting in a ceasefire (although it was not long lasting, it nonetheless prevented bloodshed for a short time). This encounter between Sultan and Saint represents a vibrant model of interfaith engagement and faith-sharing that is highly relevant in these times of conflict. And today it can be echoed in the act of meeting and eating together.
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More on St Francis:
St Francis is particularly remembered for his prayer ‘Make me an instrument of your peace’ adapted here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFkjdFgqOY4 by Sarah McLaughlin.
The story of St Francis inspired Christine Mallouhi’s book Waging Peace on Islam. She explores the various accounts of what actually happened when Francis and his companion met al-Kamil.
One version of the story has been put into a high-quality video by Unity Productions Foundation in the USA, a Muslim group. www.youtube.com/watch?v=53h52Vp0pus The Franciscans also offer a video www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTJkjiFpsIg .
You will find a Franciscan discussion of the historic meeting here: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/ask-a-franciscan/st-francis-and-his-time-with-the-sultan/