|
Similarities between
Christianity and Islam (reference):
God has sent holy books to all
people with same intentions, and therefore religions are are
similar.
|
Islam
The Muslim Prayer |
Christianity
The Christian prayer |
|
The Fatiha [The
Opening]
The Qur'an 1:1-7 |
The Lord's Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13 [The New
Testament, King James version] |
|
(a)
Adoration
Praise be to God,
Lord of the Worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful. King of
the Day of Reckoning. |
(a) Adoration
Our Father who art
in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name. |
|
(b) Submission
Thee only do we
worship and of Thee only do we ask aid. |
(b) Submission
Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. |
|
(c) Supplication
Guide us unto the
right path - the path of those
to whom Thou hast been gracious, not the path of
those who are the objects of Thy wrath, nor of those who
have gone astray. Amen |
(c) Supplication
Give us this day
our daily bread. And forgive us our
debts as we forgive our debtors [Other translations say:
"Forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." And lead us not
into temptation, But deliver us
from evil. For Thine is the
Kingdom, The Power and the
Glory. For ever and ever.
Amen |
| Islam Creation |
Christianity
Creation |
Qur'an 35:13 He merges Night into Day, and he merges Day into
Night, and he has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law):
each one runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah
your Lord: to Him belongs all Dominion. And those whom ye invoke
besides Him have not the least power. |
Genesis 1:14 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of
the heavens to separate the day from the night,
and let them be for
signs and for seasons and for days and years; |
Qur'an 13:2 Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars
that ye can see is firmly established on the throne (of
authority). He has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law)!
Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth
regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that ye
may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord. |
Genesis 1:1,2 In the beginning God created the
heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and
darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God
was moving over the surface of the waters. |
Qur'an 13:3,4 And it is He who spread out the
earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing)
rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two:
He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in
these things there are signs for those who consider! And
in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighboring, and
gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees -
growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same
water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to
eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those
who understand! |
Genesis 1:9-12 Then God said, "Let the waters
below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the
dry land appear''; and it was so. God called the dry land earth,
and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that
it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation:
plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit
after their kind with seed in them''; and it was so. The
earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after
their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after]
their kind; and God saw that it was good. |
Qur'an 41:37 Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun
and the Moon. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but
prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to
serve. |
Genesis 1:3-5 Then God said, "Let there be
light''; and there was light. God saw that the light was good;
and God separated the light from the darkness. God called
the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was
evening and there was morning, one day. |
Qur'an 41:12 So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days,
and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We
adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with
guard. Such is the Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full of
Knowledge. |
Genesis 1:14-18 Then God said, "Let there be
lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from
the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for
days and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the
heavens to give light on the earth''; and it was so. God made
the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and
the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also.
God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on
the earth, and to govern the day and the night, and to separate
the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. |
Qur'an 50:38 We created the heavens and the earth and all between
them in Six Days, nor did any sense of weariness touch Us. |
Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth
were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God
completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the
seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God
blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He
rested from all His work which God had created and made. |
|
Qur'an
15:28,29 Behold! thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to
create man from sounding clay from mud molded
into shape; when I have
fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My
spirit fall ye down in obeisance unto him. |
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man
became a living being |
|
Islam Similar verses to the 10 Biblical Commandments |
Christianity The 10 Commandments |
|
About the
10 Commandments:
Qur'an
2:53 And remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the
Criterion (between right and wrong): There was a chance for you to be guided
aright. Qur'an 7:145 And We ordained laws for him
[Moses] in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and
explaining all things, (and said): "Take and hold these with
firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in
the precepts . . . |
About the
10 Commandments:
Exodus
24:12 The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the
mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of
stone, with the law and commands I have written for their
instruction." Deuteronomy 4:13 He declared to you His
covenant, the Ten Commandments, which He commanded you to
follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. |
|
Qur'an
17:23 Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him . .
. Qur'an 2:163; 2:255; 3:2; 3:6; 3:18; 3:62;
4:87; 5:73; 6:102; 6:106; 7:59; 7:65; 7:73; 7:85; 7:158; 9:31;
9:129; 10;90; 11:14; 11:40; 11:61; 11:84; 13:30; 16:02;
18:110; 20:8: 20:14; 20:98; 21:25; 21:87; 23:23; 23:32;
23:116; 27:26; 28:38; 28:70; 28:88; 35:3; 37:035; 38:65; 39:6;
40:3; 40:62; 40:65; 44:8; 47:19; 64:13; 73:9 La illa ha illa Allah
[there is none worthy of worship but God]
|
Exodus
20:3 You shall have no other gods before Me |
|
Qur'an
22:12 They call on such deities, besides Allah, as can
neither hurt nor profit them: that is straying far indeed
(from the Way)! Qur'an 22
[Athar Hussein translation condensed version ] Avoid filthy rites associated
with idols and also false invocations, remaining firm in faith
towards God, without associating anyone with Him. And
whosoever associates aught with God, it is as if he has fallen
from on high and the birds snatch him away or the wind blows
him to a distant place. |
Exodus
20:4 You
shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what
is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water
under the earth. |
|
Qur'an
7:180 And Allah's are the best names, therefore call on Him
thereby, and leave alone those who violate the sanctity of His
names; they shall be requited for what they did. |
Exodus
20:7 You
shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, [i.e. in
an irreverent or disrespectful manner] for the Lord will not
leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. |
|
Qur'an
16:124 The Sabbath was only made (strict) for those who
disagreed (as to its observance); But Allah will judge between
them on the Day of Judgment, as to their differences. Qur'an 4:154 And for their covenant we raised
over them (the towering height) of Mount (Sinai); and (on
another occasion) We said: "Enter the gate with humility"; and
(once again) We commanded them: "Transgress not in the matter
of the Sabbath." And We took from them a solemn covenant. |
Exodus
20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days
you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a
Sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work,
you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female
servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.
For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the
sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day;
therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. |
|
Qur'an
17:23 Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him,
and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them
attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of
contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. |
Exodus
20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your
days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gave you. |
|
Qur'an
17:33 Nor
take life which Allah has made sacred . . . |
Exodus
20:13 You
shall not kill |
|
Qur'an
17:32 Nor
come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an
evil, opening the road (to other evils). |
Exodus
20:14 You shall not commit Adultery |
|
Qur'an
60:12 O
Prophet! When believing women come to thee to take the oath of
fealty to thee, that they will not associate in worship any
other thing whatever with Allah, that they will not steal,
that they will not commit adultery (or fornication), that they
will not kill their children, that they will not utter
slander, intentionally forging falsehood, and that they will
not disobey thee in any just matter; then do thou receive
their fealty, and pray to Allah for the forgiveness (of their
sins): for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Note: This applies to
men as well as women. The Qur'an ordains severe punishment for theft
5:41,42] Qur'an 2:188 And do not eat up unjustly the property of each other
among yourselves nor convey their cases to the authorities for
devouring unlawfully some portion of the property of the
people knowingly. [Commentary by Mufti Shah Ahmad Raza Khan --
this prohibition covers the acquisition of property by all
unlawful means, such as theft, robbery, gambling, bribery,
backbiting, giving false evidence, and all such other means as
bringing a false claim against another or wrongfully
influencing authorities to obtain unlawful benefits as a
consequence] |
Exodus
20:15 You
shall not steal. |
|
Qur'an
2:42 And
cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye
know (what it is). |
Exodus
20:16 You
shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. |
|
Qur'an
4:32 And in
no wise covet those things in which Allah Hath bestowed His
gifts more freely on some of you than on others . . . |
Exodus
20:17 You
shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet
your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or
his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. |
|
Islam Degrees of affinity and consanguinity
prohibiting
marriage |
Christianity Degrees of affinity and
consanguinity prohibiting marriage |
|
Qur'an
4:22-24
4:22
And marry not women whom your fathers married, except what is past: It
was shameful and odious, an abominable custom indeed. 4:23 Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: your
mothers, daughters,
sisters; father's sisters, mother's sisters;
brother's daughters,
sister's daughters; foster-mothers (who gave you
suck); foster-sisters; your wives' mothers;
your step-daughters
under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom ye have
gone in, no prohibition if ye have not gone in;
(those who have been)
wives of your sons proceeding from your loins;
and two sisters in
wedlock at one and the same time, except for what is past;
for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful; 4:24 Also (prohibited are)
women already married, except those whom your right hands
possess. Thus hath God ordained (prohibitions) against you.
Except for these, all others are lawful . . . and God is
All-knowing, All-wise. |
Leviticus
18:6-18
6 No one is
to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am
the Lord. 7 Do
not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your
mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
8 Do not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that
would dishonor your father. 9 Do not have sexual relations with your sister,
either your father's daughter or your mother's daughter,
whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
10 Do not have sexual
relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's
daughter; that would dishonor you. 11 Do not have sexual relations
with the daughter of your father's wife, born to your father;
she is your sister. 12 Do not have sexual relations with your father's
sister; she is your father's close relative. 13 Do not have sexual relations
with your mother's sister, because she is your mother's close
relative. 14 Do
not dishonor your father's brother by approaching his wife to
have sexual relations; she is your aunt. 15 Do not have sexual relations
with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife; do not have
relations with her. 16 Do not have sexual relations with your brother's
wife; that would dishonor your brother. 17 Do not have sexual relations
with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual
relations with either her son's daughter or her daughter's
daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
18 Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have
sexual relations with her while your wife is living. |
|
Islam
Basic Concepts |
Christianity Basic Concepts |
|
Monotheistic
-- God (Allah) is recognized as the Creator. |
Monotheistic
-- God is recognized as the Creator. |
|
God is
omnipotent, omniscient, immanent within His creation yet
transcendent. |
God is
omnipotent, omniscient, immanent within His creation yet
transcendent. |
|
God has a
unique relationship with humans (master and servant). |
God has a
unique relationship with humans. (master and servant). |
|
God makes
agreements or Covenants with humans. |
God makes
agreements or Covenants with humans. |
|
Have similar
eschatology (pertaining to the last days or the end of the
world) -- this world will come to an end someday and no-one
knows when. |
Have similar
eschatology (pertaining to the last days or the end of the
world) -- this world will come to an end someday and no-one
knows when. |
|
A figure
referred to as Satan or Antichrist (dajjal) (a figure of evil)
will be defeated at the end of the world. |
A figure
referred to as Antichrist or Satan (a figure of evil) will be
defeated at the end of the world. |
|
After the
world has ended, God will judge humans, based on their actions
in compliance with a moral code, specified in the Covenant
which God makes with us. |
At the end of the world, God will judge humans based
on their actions in compliance with a moral code, specified in
the Covenant which God makes with us. |
|
This judgment
will determine one's eternal abode, heaven or hell (bliss or
punishment). |
This judgment
will determine one's eternal abode, heaven or hell (bliss or
punishment). |
|
Human beings
have a spirit (ruh) which is eternal, continuing
its existence after our physical death. As to its origin, the
Qur'an says, "When I [God] have fashioned him [Adam] (in due
proportions) and breathed into him of My spirit . . ." [Qur'an
15:29] |
Human beings
have a soul which is eternal, continuing its existence
after our physical death |
|
Humans have
the ability (free will) to choose between good and evil
(obeying or disobeying God, complying with the moral code of
the Covenant or transgressing). |
Humans have
the ability (free will) to choose between good and evil
(obeying or disobeying God, complying with the moral code of
the Covenant or transgressing) |
|
Angels exist
who are the servants, and sometimes messengers of God. |
Angels exist
who are the servants, and sometimes messengers of God |
|
Satan
(shaitan) exists, as well as evil spirits who follow him; they
are the enemies of humanity. |
Satan exists,
as well as evil spirits who follow him; they are the enemies
of humanity. |
|
Divinely
revealed scriptures exist which are the primary source of
religious knowledge. The Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad and
it is the final scripture given to man. |
Divine
scriptures exist which are the primary source of religious
knowledge; revelation in this department is finished (there
are no more biblical books yet to be revealed) |
|
Miracles
occur on occasion. |
Miracles
occur on occasion. |
|
If a person
errs or transgresses, God may forgive them, if they sincerely
repent. |
If a person
errs or transgresses, God may forgive them, if they sincerely
repent. |
|
Prophets
brought spiritual instruction. |
Prophets
brought spiritual instruction. |
|
There are
similarities between the Qur'anic and biblical version of many
stories, such as Adam and Eve, Moses and the children of
Israel, etc. |
There are
similarities between the Qur'anic and biblical version of many
stories, such as Adam and Eve, Moses and the children of
Israel, etc. |
|
At the time
of the end of the world, Jesus Christ will come again. |
At the time
of the end of the world, Jesus Christ will come again. |
|
Jesus Christ
was born to the virgin Mary. |
Jesus Christ
was born to the virgin Mary. (Immaculate Conception). |
|
Islam
Moral Code |
Christianity Moral Code |
|
Faith without
works is useless (it is not enough to simply say "I believe). |
Faith without
works is useless (it is not enough to simply say "I believe). |
|
God severely
punishes the worship of any deity other than God Himself as
well as disrespect toward Him. |
God severely
punishes the worship of any deity other than God Himself, as
well as disrespect toward Him. |
|
Humans have
rights (hence the prohibitions on murder, theft, lying,
violence). |
Humans have
rights (hence the prohibitions on murder, theft, lying,
violence). |
|
Parents have
special rights (to be honored), as do spouses (hence adultery
is forbidden). |
Parents have
special rights (to be honored), as do spouses (hence adultery
is forbidden). |
|
Fornication
and lewd behavior are forbidden. |
Fornication
and lewd behavior are forbidden. |
|
Transgressions similar to the Christian "seven deadly
sins" (avarice, pride, greed, gluttony; envy, lust, sloth) are
all spiritual illnesses. |
Transgressions similar to the Catholic "seven deadly
sins" (avarice, pride, greed, gluttony; envy, lust, sloth) are
all spiritual illnesses.. |
|
Society's
laws must be obeyed. |
Society's
laws must be obeyed. |
|
Intoxication
is forbidden. |
Intoxication
is forbidden. |
|
Suicide is
forbidden. |
Suicide is
forbidden. |
|
Homosexuality
is forbidden. |
Homosexuality
is forbidden (as stated in the book of Deuteronomy, as well as
in the story of Lot and Sodom and Gomorra). |
|
Islam
Practices |
Christianity Practices |
|
Prayer is a
means of communicating with God; God hears prayers and
sometimes grants requests. |
Prayer is a
means of communicating with God; God hears prayers and
sometimes grants requests. |
|
Special
congregational service of worship (salat) once per week
on Friday, in a mosque, is an obligation (in addition to five
times a day obligatory service of worship (salat) - also
preferably in congregation.) |
Congregational worship at church once per week
on Sunday is an obligation. |
|
Charity and
relieving the suffering of others carries spiritual rewards. |
Charity and
relieving the suffering of others carries spiritual rewards. |
|
Certain
standard prayers exist. |
Certain
standard prayers exist. |
|
Fasting and
similar ascetic practices for religious purposes carries
spiritual rewards. |
Fasting or
depriving oneself for religious purposes carries spiritual
rewards. |
|
Pilgrimage
(hajj) is obligatory. |
Pilgrimage still exists, but is not obligatory |
|
Celebrate the
advent and birth of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) on the
12th Rabi Awwal (Islamic calendar date) |
Celebrate the
advent and birth of Jesus Christ, Dec. 25. This is known as
Christmas. | |
| Differences between
Christianity and Islam (reference):
People interpreted and changed the holy books sent
from God, to suit their political or own interests, and therefore
religions are are different.
|
Islam Basics |
Christianity
Basics |
|
Do not believe in
the Trinity |
Christians believe
in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) |
|
God has informed
us of only 99 of His beautiful names (Attributes). Many of
them depict His beautiful aspects (Jamal), and some of
them depict His power, authority and grandeur
(jalap). |
Christians
currently emphasize the beautiful aspects of God (i.e. God is
Love) |
|
Jesus
is a Prophet and a servant of God. Muhammad is also a Prophet
and a servant of God. He was the last Prophet sent by God to
guide and teach mankind. |
As a
member of the Trinity, Jesus is viewed as God
Himself. |
|
The
Qur'anic teachings in this regard may be summed up as follows:
(1) Christ was neither crucified nor killed by the Jews,
notwithstanding certain apparent circumstances which produced
that illusion in the minds of some of the enemies; and
(2) Jesus was taken up to God (i.e.. God raised him up
(raf'a) to Himself.) [Qur'an 4:157, 158 & 3:55 &
4:157] |
Christians
believe that Jesus was crucified on a cross. |
|
See
above. |
Christians believe
Jesus was resurrected (raised from the dead) three days after
being crucified on a cross (Good Friday to Easter Sunday are
the days when Christians remember and celebrate this.) Jesus'
crucifixion they believe, redeems Christians of their
sins. |
|
Eschatology -
Judgment will occur on Judgment Day (the end of the world when
God will judge all human beings beginning from Adam and Eve).
Persons who have been previously deceased, and are in their
graves, are given an indication
(via 'windows' in the grave) of what his or her future
Judgment may be. The punishment of the grave will begin
immediately. Rewards begin immediately too. (This intermediate
stage of the grave may be regarded as similar to the Catholic
Purgatory, and is called barzakh in Islam). The final
abode of either Paradise
or Hell will be pronounced on the Day of
Judgment. |
Eschatology
- most Christians believe that judgment takes place,
immediately upon death (i.e. they will either go to Heaven or
Hell, or as in the case of Catholics, they could also go
to Purgatory immediately upon death). Christians also believe
that the final Judgment Day is only for all those people
who have not died yet and will be for those remaining on
earth. |
|
Hell
is a place of purification, and is permanent. Paradise as a
reward, and Hell as a punishment are but graphic terms to make
us understand a state of things which is beyond all our
notions of life in that world. Paradise will be eternal. Once
meriting it, there can be no question of being ejected from
it. As to whether Hell is also eternal for the unbelievers,
there are two schools of thought: (1) A great majority of
Muslims affirm that God may pardon every sin and every
crime except disbelief in God. [Qur'an 4:48,116]
(2)
Others believe that even the punishment of disbelief may one
day terminate by the grace of God. [Qur'an 11:107,
etc.] The
Qur'an 4:124 declares: "If any do deeds of righteousness -
be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter
Paradise
and not the least injustice will be done to
them." In
other words no religion has a monopoly on
salvation! |
Hell is eternal,
but Purgatory is not (note:
Catholics believe in Purgatory whereas Protestants do not).
While Catholics believe that Purgatory is precisely the
same as Hell, it is not eternal. They believe it is a place or
state of punishment wherein the souls of those who die in
God's grace may do penance for past sins and hence become
cleansed and fit for heaven. Only
Christians can go to heaven. |
|
All mankind is
born pure and he/she is responsible for his or her own sins
and not someone else's. |
Christians believe
in Original Sin, (all of mankind is
held responsible for the sins of Adam and Eve) which
only the sacrament of baptism in the name of Christ can
expiate. |
|
Muslims do not
believe in vicarious atonement. They believe that each person
is responsible for his or her own actions and that no-one else
can atone for them. However, you can pray to God for His Mercy
and Forgiveness on behalf of another person. The Prophet
Muhammad, p.b.u.h. -- and some others (like innocent babies
who have passed away) are given the special privilege to
intercede on behalf of their parents on the Day of Judgment.
This is in accord with the Throne Verse in the Qur'an.
So with God's graceful permission, they may have a
specially bestowed privilege of pleading on behalf of others
and begging for God's forgiveness for them on the Day of
Judgment. This is known as intercession
(shafa't). |
Christians
believe in vicarious atonement -- that another person can
extinguish the guilt incurred by another person's sins. Jesus
is believed to have died so as to atone vicariously for man's
sins. He was considered to be the Lamb of God, which means
that Jesus was considered to be the perfect sacrifice by which
the hold of Original Sin was broken. Christians believe
in intercession and intercessors such as priests and
monks. |
|
The holy Qur'an
was revealed ('revelation' [wahi] is the highest form
of inspiration with no possibility of error in the message or
the conveyance of the message) to the Prophet Muhammad,
p.b.u.h. through the angel Gabriel who was carrying out God's
precise instructions. This occurred over a period of 23 years.
The holy Qur'an is God's Word -- not the word of the Prophet
Muhammad, p.b.u.h. |
Christians believe
that divine inspiration (the Latin word is 'afflatus'
which means 'divine wind') inspired the writers of the
scripture. Hence they believe that the Gospel of St. Mark
(obviously written by St. Mark) or the letters of Paul the
Apostle are the "Word of God." |
|
The Qur'an exists
today exactly the same as it was revealed to
Muhammad, p.b.u.h. There have been absolutely no changes
whatsoever made to the wording. Special checks and balances
and special means for the preservation of accuracy (.e.g.
memorizing of the text by many people, etc. etc.) were put
into place so that no error or change could possibly creep
into the text. |
A council was
called, in the early days of Christianity, where the church
fathers and elders debated. This was presided over by the
Roman (and Christian) Emperor Constantine (circa 324 A.D.).
This council codified (systematized) standard Christian belief
and gave the New Testament its present form, depriving some
books of the status of Scripture (many of which still exist
today and are known as the Apocrypha). |
|
All the Prophets,
from Adam a.s. to Muhammad p.b.u.h. are pure and
sinless/infallible. |
In the Old
Testament (Jewish scriptures which most Christians regard as
authoritative), Prophets are not portrayed as being infallible
to say the least. |
|
There are many
differences between the Qur'anic and the Biblical versions in
the details of certain Biblical stories. |
There are many
differences between the Qur'anic and the Biblical versions in
the details of certain Biblical stories. |
|
The first source
of Muslim Law, is the Qur'an. The second source of law is the
Hadith (Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h.). The
Hadith literature expounds and explains and interprets the
Qur'anic injunctions and teachings. The Hadith do not
contradict the Qur'an in any way. |
The source of
Christian (or Canon) Law is the scripture, which has been
interpreted by the Pope for Catholics; by the Patriarch for
members of the Orthodox faith; and by the consensus of the
community for other groups. The writings of the church fathers
would also be relevant. |
|
For Muslims,
Prophets are spiritually advanced and are very pure and
sinless. They have been sent by God to guide and teach
mankind. There have been 127,000 of them from Adam, a.s. to
Muhammad p.b.u.h. who was the last Prophet sent, meaning that
no more Prophets will come after him. Hence Muhammad p.b.u.h.
was called the "Seal of the Prophets." The Prophets were sent
as Messengers of God to people in different countries at
different times. |
Prophets do not
have the same stature in Christianity that they have in
Islam. |
|
Islam
Moral
Code |
Christianity
Moral
Code |
|
Islam does not
treat law and morality as different things. What is
legal/lawful is also moral and conversely what is
unlawful/illegal is also immoral. Consequently, Islamic law
automatically covers and governs morality -- moral values are
not changeable nor are they dependant on the whims of
individuals or society. The Islamic legal system combines the
two opposites: a) rigid inflexibility and permanency through
the Sharia (i.e. the divine injunctions of the Qur'an
and the Sunnah) and b) the flexibility and fluidity to
accommodate man-made legislation with the changing needs of
society. There are two forms of legal systems in Islam: i)
Fiqh (which cannot be
inconsistent with the Shariah) and ii) the
derivative form of legislation which is based on the
Shariah. Transgressing these two regulations or bounds
will make Fiqh (i.e. man-made legislation) ultra
vires ab-initio (i.e. absolutely void from the
beginning.) |
Secular law, and
morality are often different things. For example, abortion is
considered legal by the government in Canada. Many Protestants
have no problem with this law, yet Catholics forbid it for
their followers. What is considered moral has tended to change
with each generation. The guideposts and/or criteria of what
is considered moral or what is considered immoral are
interpreted differently depending on the era or the group
(Catholic, Protestant, etc.). Church doctrine, while it can
change and be altered, doesn't change so often as the
church members interpretations of it do. For example, Jesus'
commandment "Love thy neighbor as thyself" has differing
interpretations on how to carry it out depending on the time
and era and generation; also compliance to this commandment
has changed substantially from place to place, group to group
and time to time. |
|
Muslims
believe that while the Scripture and Gospels were originally
pure and error free, contradiction and error has crept into
them over time and so now the current books are considered to
be highly suspect. For example we don't know what are really
Jesus', a.s. words from what are the scribes words because
there were no checks and balances that were put into place to
ensure that such errors did not occur. Hence we see several
contradictions in both the Old Testament and the New
Testament. |
Even though the
Old Testament is regarded as Scripture, Christians do not
regard themselves as being bound by Jewish law (this thanks to
a dream of St. Peter). |
|
Muslims, like Jews
do not consume the flesh of swine. |
Christians consume
the flesh of swine. |
|
Alcohol and/or
intoxication is completely forbidden. |
Alcohol
intoxication is forbidden for Christians, but alcohol
consumption is not. |
|
Free-mixing of
sexes is discouraged. |
Free-mixing of the
sexes was historically discouraged, but today this injunction
doesn't play the role it used
to. |
|
Islam Practices |
Christianity
Practices |
|
Muslims do not
believe in the separation of 'church from state' (i.e.
secularism). However, it is permissible to separate the
functions of government (politics) from religion and be
undertaken by different individuals -- politics would still be
subject to religion. |
Almost all
Christian countries have secular governments. |
|
The Muslim daily
rituals and practices are clear and detailed (e.g. proper way
to use the washroom, specifics of purification for prayer,
inheritance, details of Zakat, prescribed punishments,
etc.). |
Lack the details
that Islam holds. |
|
Prayer is very
specific and exactly the same no matter which country the
Muslim happens to live in. There are five prescribed prayers
per day at set times according to the rotation of the earth
around the sun. All of these prayers are obligatory on every
Muslim. The prescribed prayers are recited in Arabic and are
recited exactly the same in all countries of the world. The
culture of a person does not influence the performance of
prayer (salat). It is the exact prayer that Muhammad, p.b.u.h.
taught us to do. |
With a few
memorized exceptions, like the 'Our Father' and the 'Apostle's
Creed,' prayer is an improvised conversation with God; there
is no prescribed time for nor daily number of Christian
prayers. |
|
Actions may be
haram (forbidden), halal (allowed), fard
(obligatory), sunnah (following the ways of the
Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h.) and so on. |
Don't have any
specific categories of actions as seen in Muslim
law. |
|
Funeral
prayers, the birth of a baby (adhan), donations to
charity (i.e. Zakat) etc. are ritualized and clearly set out
no matter which culture a Muslim belongs to. |
Certain rites
called sacraments are performed: i.e. Baptism,
Confession, the Eucharist, etc. |
|
Hymns
and devotional services of worship and supplications are an
integral part of all Muslim forms of worship. Zikr ceremonies
(chanting a name of God), and sama (religious music) are
practiced more often among the more devout groups of Muslims
such as the Sufis. |
Hymns and
devotional music play a big role in
Christianity. |
|
In Islam, there is
no institutionalized "church" nor its hierarchy. There are no
monks in Islam either. Religious leaders are not obliged to
remain celibate. |
Certain sects
(i.e. large sects like the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox
churches) condone monkshood. Catholic monks and priests are
obliged to remain celibate. Protestant ministers are not
obliged to remain celibate. |
|
Muslims
are forbidden to put pressure, either directly or indirectly,
on another person to convert to Islam. Efforts in this regard
have to be through persuasion (i.e. without involving any kind
of pressure). The Qur'an clearly lays down the law that the
duty and function of all the Prophets and all Muslims is only
to convey the message of God. Period. |
Christians have an
obligation to proselytize. Missionary work is considered very
important. |
|
Homosexuality is
considered to be a perversion and is forbidden. |
Since the
prohibition on homosexuality is found in the Old Testament
only, some Christian sects say it does not apply (i.e. the
United Church ordains homosexual ministers). |
|
Interest
(riba) is forbidden to Muslims who live in Islamic
countries. |
Interest used to
be forbidden in Christianity, but it seems that this is no
longer the case. |
|
Polygamy is
allowed to Muslims. There are strict limitations and
prohibitions concerning it so it does not become a method to
dominate women. |
Polygamy used to
be allowed by the Church, but now it is forbidden to all sects
but the Mormons. |
|
All games of
chance and gambling are forbidden in Islam. |
Some sects are
very strict about gambling, but others are not strict at
all. |
|
Only females are
allowed to wear gold |
Males and females
are allowed to wear gold. |
|
|