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Similarities between Islam and Christianity
by James Abdul Rahim Gaudet, Rabia Mills and Syed Mumtaz Ali


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Subject

Islam  Christianity 

Concept of God

 

Monotheistic  God (Allah) is recognized as the Creator. Monotheistic -- God is recognized as the Creator.

"Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourself moulded gods: I am the Lord your God " (Leviticus 19:4) . Please refer (Exodus 20:2-5 & 23:24-25) 

omnipotent God is omnipotent, omniscient, immanent within His creation yet transcendent. God is omnipotent, omniscient, immanent within His creation yet transcendent.
Relationship God has a unique relationship with humans (master and servant). God has a unique relationship with humans. (master and servant).
agreements or Covenants God makes agreements or Covenants with humans. God makes agreements or Covenants with humans.
eschatology  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.
Satan 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 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.
Judgement This judgement will determine one's eternal abode, heaven or hell (bliss or punishment). This judgement will determine one's eternal abode, heaven or hell (bliss or punishment).
Spirit & Soul 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
Human's free will 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 Angels exist who are the servants, and sometimes messengers of God. Angels exist who are the servants, and sometimes messengers of God
Satan  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 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  Miracles occur on occasion. Miracles occur on occasion.
Transgression 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 Prophets brought spiritual instruction. Prophets brought spiritual instruction.
Qur'an & Bible There are similarities between the Quranic and biblical version of many stories, such as Adam and Eve, Moses and the children of Israel, etc. There are similarities between the Quranic and biblical version of many stories, such as Adam and Eve, Moses and the children of Israel, etc.
Jesus re-entry 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 Birth Jesus Christ was born to the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ was born to the virgin Mary. (Immaculate Conception
Greetings When a Muslim meets another Muslim ,he greets him with saying  Assalamu Alaikum. (May peace be upon you) Luke 24:36 While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
Belief in God Muhammad (pbuh) called God help in every single work he did. Jesus called God's help during his time
Mathew 27:46 Elo, Eloi , Lama sabachthani, which means God, God, why thou has forsaken me.

 Jesus

 

Status of Jesus Believe in Jesus as a Mighty prophet is a must. if fail then he or she cannot be a Muslim Jesus says that he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. 
Mathew 10:5-6 / Mathew 15:24
Jesus as a Messenger of God Islam considers Jesus as a Mighty prophet Bible also considers Jesus as a Prophet
John 14:28 My Father is great than I
John 5:30 I can do nothing of my self, As I hear I judge....
John 10:29 / Mathew 12:28 / Luke 11:20 
There is not a single verse in the bible which says that Jesus is God.
Gospel of Jesus And in their footsteps We sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming Torah that had come before him; we sent him The Gospel.......
Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, They are those who rebel. ( 5:46-47)
John 12:49For I have not spoken of myself, but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
Mathew 4:23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogue, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom .. .
Mark 1:14Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of kingdom of God.
Mark 1:15And saying, the time is fulfilled , and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel .
Glorifying Jesus  Holy Qur'an6:85 .Zechariah  ....Jesus everyone of the good John 16:34 When God send a Comforter he shall glorify me.

Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

 

Muhammad (pbuh)  Holy Qur'an 33:40 Mohammed is the seal of Prophethood.
Holy Qur'an 21:107 Muhammad is a mercy to the world
John 14:16 I shall ask my father to send you another comforter (Paraklete).
Jesus prophesied about the advent of Muhammad (pbuh) and called him a Paraklete 

Common Basic Beliefs

 

Revelations Islam Accepts Torah, Psalm, and the Gospel as Devine Revelations. But it considers those revelations were interpolated or corrupted Bible accepts and includes the Torah, Psalm and Gospels.
Every one born sinless Islam says that every baby born sinless. Bible also accepts the sinless birth 
Belief in God's Prophets Islam accepts all the Messenger (Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Aaron , Zechariah, John the Baptist, Jesus and so on) Bible also accepts all earlier Prophets .

Prayer

 

prayers Certain standard prayers exist. Certain standard prayers exist.
Prayer Prayer is a ma 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.
Prayer Holy Qur'an 20:11-12 God asks Moses to remove the shoes Exodus 3:5 God said, "Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
Acts 7:33 But the Lord said to him, 'Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 
Ablution  Holy Qur'an 5:6 orders to wash face, hand and leg before prayer Exodus 40 :31-32 Moses and Aaron washed before they get into pray
Acts 21:26 Paul along with other men washed before prayer
Prostration Muslims always fell in the ground to pray.  Genesis 17:3 Abraham fell in the ground
Numbers 20:6 Moses and Aaron fell in the ground to pray
Joshua 5:14 Joshua fell in the ground to pray
Mathew 26:39 Jesus fell in the ground and prayed
But today's Christians fell in the ground and prays on Pope 
Muslim Prayer Christian Prayer
The Opening
The Fateha [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. 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. 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
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
If we carefully compare the parts of each prayer which are written above as separate paragraphs (a) (b) and (c), we will observe that there are differences only in language, yet there are no differences whatsoever in meaning. There is in both prayers absolutely the same spirit of (a) Adoration (b) Submission and (c) Supplication.

Charity 

 

charity Charity and relieving the suffering of others carries spiritual rewards. Charity and relieving the suffering of others carries spiritual rewards.
Charity  Holy Qur'an 59:7 
Holy Qur'an 9:34 
Islam orders to give 2.5 percent every year
 I Peter 4:8 Give charity. it reduces sin 
Pilgrimage Pilgrimage (hajj) is obligatory. Pilgrimage still exists, but is not obligatory
Fasting Fasting and similar ascetic practises for religious purposes carries spiritual rewards. Fasting or depriving oneself for religious purposes carries spiritual rewards.
Fasting Every able Muslims should fast one month every year. Mathew 17:21  People commanded to Fast
Mark 9:29  People commanded to Fast

Prohibitions

 

Wine Holy Qur'an 5:90 intoxication, gambling ....are an abomination of Satan, Eschew such , that ye may prosper  Proverbs 20:1 wine is mockery
Ephesians 5:18 Be not drink wine 
Dead Meat Holy Qur'an2:173 he only forbidden you what dies of itself ..... Leviticus 17:15 / Deuteronomy 14:21 
these verses tells that the believers should not eat that died of itself
Blood Holy Qur'an2:173..he only forbidden you ....blood Leviticus 17:14 / Duet 12:16 / Genesis 9:4 / I Samuel  14:33 / Act 15:29 
All these verses prohibits consuming of blood.
Flesh of Swine Holy Qur'an2:173 he only forbidden you Leviticus 11: 7-8 / Deuteronomy 14:8 / Isaiah 65:2-5 
All these verses prohibits the flesh of swine 
Cut with Allah's Name Holy Qur'an2:173 he (Allah) only forbidden you...and that over which any other (name) than (that of) Allah has been invoked Acts 15:29 / revelation 2:14
these verses tells that believers should not eat those foods are been cut without Allah's name

Gender Modesty

 

Man Modesty Holy Qur'an 24:30 asks men to bow their head when a girl passes Mathew 5:28-29 I say to you, who see a woman with lust is committed adultery in heart.
Female Modesty Islam orders the Muslims to  Duet 22:5 woman cannot wear cloth pertain.. like a man
Head Covering You can see the Muslim ladies always cover their head and whole body. I Corinthians 11:6 women didn't cover her head should be shaved 
I Timothy 2:19 / I Corinthians 11:5-8
Circumcision  Muslims without any questions follows this ritual as a duty, whereas the Christians forsook it John 7:22 Moses gave you the concern of circumcision
Act 7:8 circumcision is given to you
Luke 2:21 Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day.
Unfortunately today's Christians throw this duty.
Congregation 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.
 
Similar verses to the 10 Biblical Commandments 
The 10 Commandments
About 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.

Command 1
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 
Command 2 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 Husain 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.
Command 3 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
Command 4 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 Judgement, 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 labour 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.
Command 5 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 honour. 
Exodus 20:12 
Honour your father and your mother,  that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gave you.
Command 6 Qur'an 17:33
Nor take life which Allah has made sacred . . .
Exodus 20:13
You shall not kill
Command 7 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
Command 8 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.
Command 9 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 neighbour.
Command 10 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 neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife or his male servant or
his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbour.

Belief

 

Faith 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).
other deity 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.
Human have rights Humans have rights (hence the prohibitions on murder, theft, lying, violence). Humans have rights (hence the prohibitions on murder, theft, lying, violence).
Parents right Parents have special rights (to be honoured), as do spouses (hence adultery is forbidden). Parents have special rights (to be honoured), as do spouses (hence adultery is forbidden).
Fornication Fornication and lewd behaviour are forbidden. Fornication and lewd behaviour are forbidden.
Transgression 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 law Society's laws must be obeyed. Society's laws must be obeyed.
Intoxication Intoxication is forbidden. Intoxication is forbidden.
Suicide Suicide is forbidden. Suicide is forbidden.
Homo-sex 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).

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