Liberty University
Critical Thinking
Islamic Worldview
Apologetics 104-C09
The Question of Origin
According to Islam Allah created the earth and all that is in it over a period of time. The
Quran mentions Allah created heaven, earth, man and animals in six days and on the seventh day
he sat upon his throne and admired what he created. The Quran states Allah created man from a
clot of blood, from water, from clay and from dust. The creation of man is different in different
verses of the Quran but it is very clear that man and all that was created came from God and did
not just evolve on its own over a period of time. Even though Allah created the world and all that
is in it in six days, he is not finished with his creation. According to Islam he is still creating. It is
seen in every birth, in the seasons, and through all life on earth.
Compare and Contrast
The Bible teaches that God created the heavens, the Earth, human beings and all that is
upon the earth within six days. God created Adam from the dust and Eve from the rib of Adam.
Even though the creation of the earth, man and animals are similar in the Islamic faith, there are
a few differences. According to the Christianity world view, God spoke everything into
existence, there was not a choice of whether the heavens or the earth wanted to come together. In
the Quran Allah said to the Earth “Come together, willingly or unwillingly. They said: We come
together in willing obedience (Quran Oxford World Classics, 41:11). In the Bible, it is not clear if
animals were created from the dust or spoken into existence but what is clear is, all life that God
created has His breath in it. Both the Islamic worldview and Christian worldview both believe in
the fact that humans are unique and are a special creation from God. We were made in his image
and given special abilities that ordinary animals do not have.
The Question of Identity
In the Islamic worldview to be human means to be truthful, sincere, unselfish, humble,
patient, forgiving, courageous, to practice moderation and be considerate of others, to help the
poor, to love and to be kind to all of Allah’s creation. In the Quran, it is clear that humans are
unique. Humans were created with the ability to reason, to think and were created for the sole
purpose of worshipping Allah. Even though humans are unique in the eyes of Allah, animals are
also Allah’s creation and should be treated with respect and dignity and animals. Animals have
their place in society and Islam forbids cruelty to animals.
Compare and Contrast
The Islamic worldview of humans and animals is almost similar to that of the Christian
worldview. Islam views humans as a unique creation of Allah, superior to animals. Even though
in Islam humans are superior to animals, humans are still called to treat animals with dignity and
respect. They are still Allah’s creation and should be used according to the purpose Allah created
them. In the Christian worldview, humans are also unique creations. We were created with the
ability to reason and to think and was made in the image of God. We as well as animals have the
breath of life in us therefore we should treat all of God creation with dignity and respect as well.
Also, in the Christian worldview, we are called to be our brother’s keeper. We are to serve God,
worship him, love our neighbors and obey his commandments. We are not supposed to lie, cheat
steal or mistreat each other. We are supposed to strive for perfection and to be like Christ.
The Question of Meaning/Purpose
In the Islamic worldview, the purpose of man is to worship God. We were created to
honor, glorify, worship and obey. Allah did not create humans out of a need for us to worship
him but he created us to do so.
Compare and Contrast
The Islamic worldview of why mankind exists and the Christian worldview are similar. In
both Christianity and Islam, the sole purpose of man is to worship and glorify God/Allah. The
difference in the two lies within what does it mean to worship or glorify God and how to do it. In
the Christianity worldview, we glorify God by living our lives the way he commands us to. In
living our lives the way God commands, we acknowledge him, his commandments, and we build
a relationship with him and become faithful servants. In the Islamic worldview, worshipping
Allah has to do with being obedient, obeying his command, having good character and doing
good works.
The Question of Morality
The guide to how one should live for those who believe in the Islamic worldview is the
Quran. The Quran gives specific examples about individual morality and societal morality.
Muslims are supposed to be humble and understand that they are accountable to Allah for all
they do. Those who hold the Islam worldview understand they should exercise self-control, not
be vain, not follow this world and be materialistic, be kind and truthful and fulfil his/her purpose,
which is to worship and glorify Allah.
Compare and Contrast
The Islamic worldview about how we should live and morality is almost identical to that
of the Christian worldview. The Bible states that Christians are to love their neighbor, do good
works, not be vain, not lie and follow the commandments of God. It all boils down to Christians
being their brothers keepers. Christians were commanded in Matthew 28:20 to obey everything
Christ had taught them (Authorized King James Bible, Matthew 28:20). Their goal was to be
Christ like. In the Islamic worldview, they believe Christ was a prophet and do not believe in
being Christ like. Good works is in the center of morality and how to live in Islam.
The Question of Destiny
According to the Islamic worldview there is life after death and a reward and punishment
system based on what you did here on earth. It is believed that this world is only temporary and
we are here just for a short time. We are traveling through this place as a test and will enter into
our permanent abode, life with Allah, or the hereafter. Before entering into the hereafter there is
the place in the grave, followed by Barzakh,( Quran Oxford World Classics) which is a
temporary place, judgement and then paradise.
The Islamic and the Christian worldview of destiny may seem similar on the surface but
they are very different. According to the Christian worldview not all will die. Those who die are
asleep and do not ascend into heaven immediately. According to the Bible not even David
ascended unto heaven after his death but only rested in his tomb and will be there until the day of
judgment. If death does not come then there is the thought that one will be caught up with God
upon his return. The final destination for all is judgment and either hell or paradise. This
difference from the Islamic worldview of destiny because there are four phase. There is the
grave, followed by Barzakh (a temporary place) (Quran Oxford World Classics), judgement and
then heaven or hell.
Word Count 1268
Works Cited
Cakir, Dunya D.1. "Islamist Texts in Practice: Commemorating Qutb in Turkey Before and After
the Arab Spring1." Muslim World, vol. 105, no. 4, Oct. 2015, pp. 540-560. EBSCOhost,
doi:10.1111/muwo.12110.
The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 2002
The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics). Trans. M. A. S. Abdel Haleem. USA: Oxford University
Press, 2010.
