Tony Abbott says elements of Islam are hard to reconcile with modern society, arguing there's too much "tip-toeing" around the religion.

The former prime minister was asked on Wednesday why he had never hosted a fast-breaking dinner for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, as his successor Malcolm Turnbull did last week when he inadvertently invited a controversial Muslim cleric.

"If I may say so, I think all of us have at times tip-toed too softly through this particular field," Mr Abbott told Sky News.

"I think we do have to be a little more forthright."

Mr Abbott said some elements of Islam were hard to reconcile with a modern, secular, pluralist society and called for a more "interpretative tradition" in Islam.

More attention needed to be paid to live-and-let-live Muslims, he said.

Mr Abbott was also asked about his relationship with the man who rolled him for the top job.

He said he understood some people were still "disgruntled" about the leadership change but insisted he and Mr Turnbull had had several constructive conversations since the election campaign began.

Asked about his ambitions for the defence portfolio, Mr Abbott said he was content to serve as an MP.

"I used to give a lot of advice to ambitious members of the coalition party room and the advice I gave them was that all sorts of things might happen in the future but right now, you've got to be content with serving your electorate."