Christianity and Islam

Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus as described in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. Although Christians are monotheistic, God is thought to exist in three people called the Trinity. Most Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God. Some traditions however preach that Jesus is a human messiah that instructs his followers to worship God only.

Christianity encompasses numerous religious traditions which have varied due to concepts such as culture and the varying changes in the time period Christianity is practiced in. Christianity is grouped into three main branches: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism. It is the world’s largest religions, with over 2.2 billion followers. Being a Christian means ‘belonging to Christ’ or ‘of Christ.’ One belongs to Christ by accepting him as their personal savior through faith and prayer.

Islam is a monotheistic faith and the world’s second largest religion. Practicers and worshippers of the Islamic religion are called Muslims. Muslims believe that one God (Allah) revealed his word to Muhammad and other prophets such as Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Islam considers what God told Muhammad, however, is the final and ultimate revelation. The written record of revelation to mankind is called the Koran (Qur’an). Believed to be flawless due to the belief that it is the direct word of God through Muhammad, believers and worshippers hold it sacred. To be called a Muslim means to be ‘one who surrenders to God’ or is a ‘vassal of God’.

Christianity and Islam are two very closely related religions because they all revere Abraham and other patriarchs mentioned in the Bible as their spiritual ancestors. Christianity and Islam are known as Abrahamic religions. Their beliefs and worshipping practices are similar. Despite this, many of each religion’s followers do not get along. This divide has been the root of many serious religious motivated conflicts, mass crimes against humanity and genocides in the 20th century.

While many points of belief and worship are similar many are different such as Christianity and Islam’s conception of deity. Christians believe in the trinity, which is three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; while Muslims believe God (Allah) is one and indivisible, promoting very strict monotheism. Both Islam and Christianity acknowledge Jesus as a part of both their religions but in very different ways. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, worshipped as God and a part of the trinity whereas for Muslims, Jesus is highly respected as the second-last prophet. Both religions believe he was a born through Mary via spirit impartation and that his current location is in heaven. Christians and Muslims equally agree that there will be a second coming of Jesus. However, both religions disagree on the nature of Jesus’ death. Christians believe Jesus was crucified by the Roman Army and then resurrected three days later, yet the Muslims believe Jesus did in fact not die but rather ascended alive into heaven.

Both religions have what is known as a ‘Golden Rule’. The Christian ‘Golden Rule’ is “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” (Matthew 7:12, the Holy Bible) The ‘Golden Rule’ of Islam is “Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Fourth Hadith of an-Nawawi 13) Both religions believe that once a person ceases from this reality, that there is an afterlife. There are also similarities to the practices performed in both religions such as worship. Christians worship is a church or cathedral whereas Muslims worship in a Mosque. Both places of worship are holy structures in which they pray and seek closeness to God but under different names. Christians Sabbath day is Sunday, sometimes Saturday, and Muslims’ Sabbath day is Friday.

One fascinating difference between Christianity and Islam is the use of statues of Holy figures. Statues are extremely common in all Christian denominations whereas Muslims forbid the use of statues as they are considered idolatry against God.