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COMPARATIVE RELIGION
Christianity
> Concept of God in Christianity
> Prophet Muhammad in Bible (OT & NT)
> Similarities Between Christianity and Islam
Christianity is a Semitic religion, which claims to have nearly 1.2 billion adherents all over the world. Christianity owes its name to Jesus Christ (peace be on him). The Holy Bible is the sacred scripture of the Christians:
The Bible is divided into
two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is
the Holy Scripture of the Jews and contains records of all the prophets
of the Jews that came before Jesus (pbuh).
The New Testament contains records of the life of Jesus (pbuh).
The complete Bible, i.e. the
Old Testament and the New Testament put together, contains 73 books.
However, the Protestant Bible i.e. the King James Version, contains only
66 books as they consider 7 books of the Old Testament to be apocrypha,
i.e. of doubtful authority.
Therefore the Old Testament of the Catholics, contains 46 books and that
of the Protestants, 39 books. However the New Testament of both these
sects contains 27 books.
Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (pbuh). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus (pbuh).
We believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah (swt).
We believe that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians do not believe.
We believe he was the Messiah translated Christ (pbuh).
We believe that he gave life to the dead with God’s permission.
We believe that he healed those born blind, and the lepers with God’s permission.
Concept of God in Christianity
New Testament
Jesus Christ Never
Claimed Divinity
"My Father is greater
than I." [The Bible, John 14:28]
"My Father is greater
than all." [The Bible, John 10:29]
"…I cast out devils by
the Spirit of God…." [The Bible, Mathew 12:28]
"…I with the finger of
God cast out devils…." [The Bible, Luke 11:20]
"I can of mine own self
do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I
seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent
me." [The Bible, John 5:30]
One may ask, if both Muslims and Christians love and respect Jesus
(pbuh), where exactly is the parting of ways? The major difference
between Islam and Christianity is the Christians’ insistence on the
supposed divinity of Christ (pbuh). A study of the Christian scriptures
reveals that Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity. In fact there is not a
single unequivocal statement in the entire Bible where Jesus (pbuh)
himself says, "I am God" or where he says, "worship me". In fact the
Bible contains statements attributed to Jesus (pbuh) in which he
preached quite the contrary. The following statements in the Bible are
attributed to Jesus Christ:
The Mission of Jesus
Christ (pbuh) – to Fulfill the Law
Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity for himself. He clearly announced
the nature of his mission. Jesus (pbuh) was sent by God to confirm the
previous Judaic law. This is clearly evident in the following statements
attributed to Jesus (pbuh) in the Gospel of Mathew:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am not
come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven
and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the
law, till all be fulfilled.
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and
shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of
heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called
great in the kingdom of heaven."
"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter
into the kingdom of heaven." [The Bible, Mathew 5:17-20]
God Sent Jesus' (pbuh)
"… and the word which ye
hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me." [The Bible, John
14:24]
"And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou has sent." [The Bible, John 17:3]
The Bible mentions the prophetic nature of Jesus (pbuh) mission in
the following verses:
Jesus Refuted even the Remotest
Suggestion of his Divinity
Consider the following incident mentioned in the Bible:
"And behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good Master, what good thing
shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’
And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? There is none good but
one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the
commandments.’ "
[The Bible, Mathew 19:16-17]
Jesus (pbuh) did not say that to have the eternal life of paradise, man
should believe in him as Almighty God or worship him as God, or believe
that Jesus (pbuh) would die for his sins. On the contrary he said that
the path to salvation was through keeping the commandments. It is indeed
striking to note the difference between the words of Jesus Christ (pbuh)
and the Christian dogma of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus
(pbuh).
Jesus (pbuh) of Nazareth – a Man
Approved of God
The following statement from the Bible supports the Islamic belief that
Jesus (pbuh) was a prophet of God.
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved
of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him
in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know." [The Bible, Acts
2:22]
The First Commandment is that God
is One
The Bible does not support the Christian belief in trinity at all. One
of the scribes once asked Jesus (pbuh) as to which was the first
commandment of all, to which Jesus (pbuh) merely repeated what Moses
(pbuh) had said earlier:
"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adonai Ikhad."
This is a Hebrew quotation, which means:
"Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord." [The Bible, Mark
12:29]
It is striking that the basic teachings of the Church such as Trinity
and vicarious atonement find no mention in the Bible. In fact, various
verses of the Bible point to Jesus’ (pbuh) actual mission, which was to
fulfill the law revealed to Prophet Moses (pbuh). Indeed Jesus (pbuh)
rejected any suggestions that attributed divinity to him, and explained
his miracles as the power of the One True God.
Jesus (pbuh) thus reiterated the message of monotheism that was given by
all earlier prophets of Almighty God.
NOTE: All quotations of the Bible are taken from the King James Version.
Old Testament
God is One
The following verse from the book of Deuteronomy contains an exhortation
from Moses (pbuh):
"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad".
It is a Hebrew quotation which means:
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord"
[The Bible, Deuteronomy 6:4]
Oneness of God in the Book of
Isaiah
"I, even I, am the Lord; and
beside me there is no saviour."
"I am Lord, and there is none
else, there is no God besides me."
"I am God, and there is none
else; I am God, and there is none like me."
The following verses are from the Book of Isaiah:
[The Bible, Isaiah 43:11]
[The Bible, Isaiah 45:5]
[The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]
Old Testament condemns idol worship
Old Testament condemns idol worship in the
following verses:
A similar message is repeated in the book of
Deuteronomy:
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth:"
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the
Lord thy God am a jealous God."
[The Bible, Exodus 20:3-5]
"Thou shalt have none other gods before me."
"Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water beneath the earth."
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I
the Lord thy God am a jealous God."
[The Bible, Deuteronomy 5:7-9]
Prophet Muhammad in Bible (OT & NT)
The Qur’an
mentions in Surah Al-Araf chapter 7 verse 157:
"Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find
mentioned in their own (scriptures) in the law and the Gospel".
Prophet Muhammad, prophesised in
the Book of Deuteronomy:
Almighty God speaks to Moses in Book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 18:
"I will raise them up a
Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my
words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall
command him."
The Christians say that this
prophecy refers to Jesus (pbuh) because Jesus (pbuh) was like Moses
(pbuh). Moses (pbuh) was a Jew, as well as Jesus (pbuh) was a Jew. Moses
(pbuh) was a Prophet and Jesus (pbuh) was also a Prophet.
If these two are the only
criteria for this prophecy to be fulfilled, then all the Prophets of the
Bible who came after Moses (pbuh) such as Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel,
Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist, etc. (pbut) will fulfill
this prophecy since all were Jews as well as prophets.
However, it is Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) who is like Moses (pbuh):
Both had a father and a mother,
while Jesus (pbuh) was born miraculously without any male
intervention.
Both were married and had children. Jesus
(pbuh) according to the Bible did not marry nor had children.
Both died natural deaths. Jesus (pbuh) has
been raised up alive. (4:157-158)
Muhammad (pbuh) is from
among the brethren of Moses (pbuh). Arabs are brethren of Jews. Abraham
(pbuh) had two sons: Ishmail and Isaac (pbut). The Arabs are the
descendants of Ishmail (pbuh) and the Jews are the descendants of Isaac
(pbuh).
Words in
the mouth:
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was
unlettered and whatever revelations he received from Almighty God he
repeated them verbatim.
"I will raise them up a
Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words
in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command
him." [Deuteronomy 18:18]
Both besides being Prophets were
also kings i.e. they could inflict capital punishment. Jesus (pbuh)
said, "My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36).
Both were accepted as Prophets by their people
in their lifetime but Jesus (pbuh) was rejected by his
Both brought new laws and new regulations for
their people. Jesus (pbuh) according to the Bible did not bring any
new laws. (Mathew 5:17-18).
[Mathew 1:18 and Luke 1:35 and also Al-Qur'an 3:42-47]
people. John chapter 1 verse 11 states, "He came unto his own, but
his own received him not."
It is Mentioned in the book
of Deuteronomy chapter 18:19
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not harken
unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of
him."
Muhammad (pbuh) is prophesised in the book of Isaiah:
It is mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12:
"And the book is delivered to him that is not
learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not
learned."
When Archangel Gabrail commanded Muhammad (pbuh)
by saying Iqra - "Read", he replied, "I am not learned".
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned by name in the old testament:
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned by name in
the Song of Solomon chapter 5 verse 16:
"Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh
wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem."
"His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether
lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of
Jerusalem."
In the Hebrew language im is added for respect. Similarely im is added after the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to make it Muhammadim. In English translation they have even translated the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as "altogether lovely", but in the Old Testament in Hebrew, the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is yet present.
Al-Qur'an Chapter 61 Verse 6:
"And remember, Jesus, the son of
Mary, said, 'O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to
you, confirming the Law (which came) before me and giving glad tidings of a
messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed.' But when he came to
them with clear signs, they said, 'This is evident sorcery!' "
All the prophecies mentioned in the Old Testament regarding Muhammad (pbuh) besides applying to the Jews also hold good for the Christians.
John chapter 14 verse 16:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."
Gospel of John chapter 15 verse 26:
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he
shall testify of me."
Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 7:
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I
go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but
if I depart, I will send him unto you".
"Ahmed" or "Muhammad" meaning "the one who
praises" or "the praised one" is almost the translation of the Greek
word Periclytos. In the Gospel of John 14:16, 15:26, and 16:7.
The word 'Comforter' is used in the English translation for the
Greek word Paracletos which means advocate or a kind friend
rather than a comforter.
Paracletos is the warped reading for Periclytos. Jesus (pbuh)
actually prophesised Ahmed by name. Even the Greek word Paraclete
refers to the Prophet (pbuh) who is a mercy for all creatures.
Some Christians say that the Comforter mentioned
in these prophecies refers to the Holy Sprit. They fail to realise that
the prophecy clearly says that only if Jesus (pbuh) departs will the
Comforter come. The Bible states that the Holy Spirit was already
present on earth before and during the time of Jesus (pbuh), in the womb
of Elizabeth, and again when Jesus (pbuh) was being baptised, etc.
Hence this prophecy refers to none other than Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 12-14:
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you unto all
truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall
glorify me".
The Sprit of Truth, spoken about in this prophecy refers to none other than Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
NOTE: All quotations of the Bible are taken from the King James Version.
Similarities Between
Christianity and Islam
"Say: O People of the Book (Torah & Gospel)! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him)." [Quran, 3:64]
Similarities / Similar Teachings in the Qur’an and the Bible which Muslims follow but Christians don't.
Islam
Definition of Islam
Meaning of Islam
> Islam is derived from the word salaam
meaning peace.
> Submission to the Will of Allah (God
Almighty).
Meaning of ‘Muslim’ – One who submits his
will to Allah.
Islam is not a new religion found by
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Messengers in Islam
To every nation was sent a Guide or a
Messenger. (Qur'an 35:24 and 13:7)
25 Prophets mentioned by name in the
Qur'an
Islam is the only non-Christian faith that
believes in Jesus (pbuh)
Stories only of some prophets mentioned in
Qur'an (Qur'an 4:164 and 40:78)
More than 1,24,000 Messengers according to
Hadith
Previous Messengers were only sent for
their people and nation and their complete message was meant
only for a particular time period.
Moses (pbuh) was only sent for the Jews.
Jesus (pbuh) sent only for the Jews i.e.
lost sheep of Israel.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Last and
Final Messenger for the Whole of Mankind.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised in the
Bible.
Revelations of God
Several Revelations sent by Allah –
Al-Qur'an 13:38.
The Qur’an is the Last and Final
Revelation.
All previous Revelations before Qur'an
were only sent for a particular group of people and for a
particular time period.
The Qur’an was Revealed for the Whole of
Mankind.
Al-Qur'an 3:49, Mathew 10:5-6, Mathew 15:24
Al-Qur'an 33:40, Al-Qur'an 21:107, Al-Qur'an 34:28
Al-Qur'an 7:157
Al-Qur'an 61:6
Deuteronomy 18:18
Isaiah 29:12
Song of Solomon 5:16
John 16:7
John 16:12-14
By name only four are mentioned in the Qur’an.
Al-Qur'an 14:1, 14:52, 2:185, 39:41
Pillars of Islam
Tauheed (Monotheism)
La ilaha ilallahu, Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullah
Believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the
Angels and the Book and the Messengers.
Come to common terms — Worship of one God
Concept of God
Shirk – Biggest Sin
Jesus (pbuh) not God. He never claimed
Divinity
99 Attributes of Almighty God
Prefer using name ‘Allah’ rather than the
word ‘God’ as the word ‘God’ can be played around with.
Salah
Not merely Prayers but Programming
Prayers restrain you from shameful and
unjust deeds
Salaah timings – for healthy soul five
times a day
Take off shoes before entering mosque.
Commandment of Allah to Moses
Can Pray with Shoes
Hygienic
Ablution
Al-Qur'an 5:6
Hygienic
Mental Preparation
Stand shoulder to shoulder, while praying
–
Sujud – Prostration
To humble your mind, humble your body
Sujud mentioned 92 times in the Qur’an
Prostration in the Bible
Zakah
Meaning: Purification and Growth
Description: 2.5% of saving every lunar
year in charity
If every human being gives Zakaah, not a
single person will die of hunger.
"Wealth does not circulate only amongst
the wealthy and the rich"
I Peter 4:8
Saum (Fasting)
A. Description – one lunar month i.e.
during the month of Ramadaan every lunar year, Muslims fast,
i.e. abstain from food and drinks from sunrise till sunset.
Benefits: learn self restraint. If you can
control your hunger you can control almost all your desires. It
enhances spiritual awareness.
Medical Benefits:
Increases absorption capacity of
intestines
Lowers cholestrol.
Discourages smoking, alcoholism and other
addictions.
Bible prescribes Fasting
Hajj
Description – Pilgrimage atleast once in
life time if you can afford it
Universal Brotherhood – 2.5 million people
from all over the world gather, wear two pieces of unsewn cloth,
preferably white. Cannot differentiate between rich and poor.
Significance of Kaaba – Muslims don’t
worship it
Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1 Hadith No. 7
Al-Qur'an 2:177
Al-Qur'an 3:64
Al-Qur'an 112:1-4
Deuteronomy 6:4
Mark 12:29
Al-Qur'an 4:48
Al-Qur'an 4:116
Exodus 20:2-5
Deuteronomy 5:7-9
Al-Qur'an 5:72
John 14:28
John 10:29
Mathew 12:28
Luke 11:20
John 5:30
Acts 2:21
Al-Qur'an 17:110
Word 'Allah' in the Bible – Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani
Mark 15:34
Mathew 27:46
Al-Qur'an 5:90
Al-Qur'an 2:188
Al-Qur'an 29:45
Al-Qur'an 17:78
Al-Qur'an 20:130
Al-Qur'an 20:11-12
Exodus 3:5
Acts 7:33
Sunan Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 240,
Hadith No. 652-653.
Exodus 40:31-32
Acts 21:26
Sahih Bukhari – Vol. 1, Book of Adhan Chapter 75 Hadith no. 692
Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah Chapter 245 Hadith No. 666.
Al-Qur'an 3:43 and 22:77
Genesis 17:3; Numbers 20:6
Joshua 5:14; Mathew 26:39
Al-Qur'an 9:60
Al-Qur'an 59:7
Al-Qur'an 2:183
Mathew 17:21
Mark 9:29
Al-Qur'an 49:13
Psalms 84:4-7
Islam is a Complete Way of Life
Humans Created to Worship Allah
Jinn and Man created for worship of Allah
(Al-Qur'an 51:56)
Meaning of Ibadaah – root word Abd meaning
‘slave’.
Obeying Commandments of Allah is Submitting
Your Will to Allah
Abstaining from alcohol
Abstaining from prohibited food
Dead meat
Blood
Pork is prohibited
Food on which names beside Allah have
been invoked
Being Honest in your Business
Helping Neighbours
Abstaining from Backbiting
Obeying and Respecting Parents
Celibacy or Monasticism is prohibited in
Islam
Loving, being Kind and Just to your Wife
Abstaining from Adultery
Dressing Modestly
Al-Qur'an 24:30
Al-Qur'an 24:31
Six Criteria for Hijab in Islam
Circumcision
In short, every Muslim should follow all
the Commandments of Allah (swt) and His Messenger Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) and abstain from the things they have
prohibited.
These five pillars do not constitute complete Islam. Only if the pillars
are strong, will the structure be strong.
Al-Qur'an 5:90
Proverbs 20:1
Ephesians 5:18
Al-Qur'an 5:5
Al-Qur'an 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115
Leviticus 17:15
Deuteronomy 14:21
Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:14, Deuteronomy 12:16,
I Samuel 14:33, Acts 15:29
Leviticus 11:7-8
Deuteronomy 14:8
Isaiah 65:2-5
Acts 15:29; Revelation 2:14
Al-Qur'an 107:1-7
Al-Qur'an 104:1-3
Al-Qur'an 49:11-12
Al-Qur'an 17:23, 24
Sahih Bukhari: Vol. 7 Book of Nikah, Chapter No. 3, Hadith No. 4
Al-Qur'an 4:19
Al-Qur'an 17:32
Mathew 5:27-28
Deuteronomy 22:5
Timothy 2:9 e.g. of Mary
Corinthians 11:5-6
Acts 7:8
John 7:22
Luke 2:21
Conclusion
If Christian is a person who follows the teachings
of Christ (pbuh) and not one who worships Christ (pbuh). (We are more
Christian than the Christians themselves).
Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah.
Jesus (pbuh) said, "not my will but thy will be done." i.e. Muslim.
John 5:30
Al-Qur'an 5:82