In the contemporary era, characterized by the expansion of religious pluralism and increased intercultural interactions, designing effective models for interfaith dialogue has become a central issue in civilizational studies and cultural diplomacy. Despite a significant body of research on interreligious dialogue, the systematic utilization of the capacities within the Islamic tradition in this domain has received limited theoretical attention . The debates of Imam Reza with scholars of various religions and sects during the Abbasid Caliphate under al-Ma’mun exemplify a prominent instance of rational and methodical engagement with doctrinal diversity. However, these debates have often been analyzed merely from theological or historical perspectives, with their civilizational and diplomatic dimensions being less explored.

This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and employs qualitative content analysis to extract the components of dialogue diplomacy from the debates of Imam Reza , subsequently reinterpreting them within the theoretical framework of contemporary civilizational dialogue . The findings indicate that the “Rezaian model” is founded upon core principles such as prioritizing shared rationality, argumentation based on the interlocutor’s epistemic foundations, safeguarding human dignity, abstaining from conflict-oriented approaches, and favoring the pursuit of truth over dominance. This study, by presenting an indigenous and operational framework, bridges a gap in the existing theoretical literature and offers an innovative solution for managing contemporary religious and cultural challenges. These components can serve as an indigenous and effective foundation for strengthening religious diplomacy and effectively managing religious tensions in contemporary multi-religious societies, providing a valuable framework for enhancing intercultural and interreligious relations.