Christianity and Islam

" Indeed, your Lord is Allah , who created the heavens and earth " ( Qur'an, Sahih International 7 : 54 ).
" In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth " ( Holy Bible, New International Version, Genisis 1 : 1 ).

Christianity and Islam are both old religions and are derived from Judism. They both have a history of shared figures, Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses and Abraham. During the time of Abraham, Judism and Islam developed separately with their own beliefs. The major differences occur during the first millennia CE with the births of two figures, Jesus and Muhammad. One figure is considered a Son of God in a human body and is conceived miraculously. The other figure is born a normal human and becomes a conveyor of God's Word.

Judism, Christianity and Islam Background

Christianity and Islam contain the Jewish stories and prophets of the Torah in their scriptures. God promised Abraham a son to carry on the family name. After several years Sarah, Abraham's wife, did not conceive a child. To give Abraham a son Sarah gave Abraham a slave girl, Hagar, as a surrogate mother. Hagar conceived and gave birth to Isma'il. Eventually Sarah did conceive and had her own son, named Jacob.

To quiet the jealousy between the two mothers,Sarah and Hagar, Abraham took Hagar and her son, Isma'il, to the desert in Arabia and constructed an altar, now known as the Ka'bah to worship their God."God told Abraham that the Ka'bah should be a place of pilgrimage. " ( Fisher, 2005 p362 ) Isma'il stayed and continued his father's religion now known as Islam, while Abraham returned to his home and continued his religion of Judaism.

Birth of Christianity

The Jewish and Muslims shared the same prophets and myths. As foretold in the Jewish Torah, a savior will be born in the line of King David in the City of David, Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethelhem to a Virgin Mother. During his life, Jesus performed many miracles: such as walking on water, feeding many with little, changing water to wine, curing blindness, leprosy, made lame people walk and arose people from the dead. The Jewish did not believe Jesus Christ was the savior. They persecuted him, had him arrested by the Romans, and crucified him. Jesus died as a martyr. The followers of Jesus' teachings led to the foundation of Christianity keeping the Torah as part of their sacred scriptures in the Bible. The modern calendar separates the years of BCE ( BC ) and CE ( AD ) with the birth of Jesus ( Fisher, 2005 ).

Jesus taught of relinquishing material possessions to devote full attention to God. Wealth was just another form of idolatry. Not only were people to serve God but to be servants of each other. People should be considered brothers and treated as such because God created everyone. One should practice submission to others, even if it meant receiving a physical attack from another. Another teaching of Jesus was sharing with the poor and unfortunate.

Birth of Modern Islam

In 570 CE a prophet was born in Mecca to a poor family of the ruling tribe known as Quraish ( CARM.org, 2006 (. Mahomet Muhammad lost both his parents and grandfather at an early age. Muhammad's uncle became his guardian and put him to work as a shepherd. Later in Muhammad's life he accompanied his uncle in caravans to Syria. One of these trips led him to be recognized by marks on his body as a prophet by a Christian Monk ( Fisher, 2005 ).

Muhammad began to manage trading caravans for a wealthy woman named Khadija, whom he later married. He frequently retreated to a cave in the hillside above Mecca for his meditations. When Muhammad was 40 he received a calling from an angel of God to write God's Words. The words that Muhammad recorded contained teachings of how to worship Allah and proper etiquette for society and government.

Muhammad was persecuted by the Quraish and exiled for three years to live off natural vegetation. Upon his return to Mecca the persecution increased. Muhammad's wife and uncle died along with their protection. When Muhammad's persecutions reached their heights he experienced the Night of Ascension. Muhammad was lifted into heaven. There he saw all the prophets from Adam to Jesus, the reality of heaven and hell and was blessed by Allah ( Fisher, 2005 ).

By invitation Muhammad fled to al-Medina to use his teachings to remedy the ills of al-Medina's society and government. This hijrah made the people of Mecca fearful of an attack and bloodshed broke out, which lasted for six years. Muhammad was successful in quieting the war but was injured in a battle defending al-Medina. Muhammad died in 632 CE of an illness in al-Medina. The Muslim's start their annual calendar with the birth of Muhammad, the Prophet.

Muhammad did not appoint a successor. After his death the first caliph ( Muhammad's successor ) was elected. The position of caliph was a lifelong position. Some Moslems believed a caliph should be from Muhammad's family lineage. The disagreement caused a split in the Islam religion. Sunni and Shi'a (Shi'ites) are the sects brought about by this division. These sects still exist today and discrimination between them has become violent at times ( Fisher, 2005 ).

The sacred holidays are centered on the religion's respective prophet or Messiah. Ramadan is the Islam holiday for fasting and commemorates the gift of the Qur'an to Muhammad by God. The pilgrimage of Hajj duplicates the movements of Muhammad from Mecca to al-Medina and his return, and solitary mediations in the cave where he received God's Words. Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Good Friday and Easter commemorate Jesus' birth, travels, periods of meditation, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Both religions believe God created the universe in just six days and God should be the center point of one's thoughts. The Christians honor the seventh day, Sunday, as a Sabbath when God rested. Muslim's honor God five times a day with Salat; therefore, there is no need for a special day of worship ( Fisher, 2005 ).

Interview at an Islam Mosque

I did an interview with the Religous Director at the Islam Academy in Methuen, Massachusetts. The Islam Academy occupied two buildings for school and worship. Inside to the left of the entrance to the worship centeris a washroom for the followers of Islam to wash their feet. To the right of the entrance is a curtain where the women followers enter.

After an interview with the Religious Director, it became apparent that Islam is a peaceful and strict religion. Even though his responses were general in nature, the interview conveyed a sense of concern for all to worship God correctly. He was enthusiastic as he answered questions relating to his beliefs that Islam is the only true way to worship Allah, God.

According to the Religous Director, Moslems are required to face Mecca and pray to Allah five times daily. To participate in the Salat, daily prayers, worshippers show respect to the Mosque by removing their shoes upon entering because shoes are considered unclean from walking in the streets. Women enter using a separate entrance and gather themselves behind the men so as not to cause a distraction during prayer to the men. A muezzin calls people to Salat from a high place, so everyone can hear. In traditional Mosques these high places are the Minarets connected to the Mosques. The Salat has mysticism about it while everyone bows and recites the prayers together. The Imam gives a lesson after the worship. The importances of obeying the Qur'an are emphasized in the lesson.

Two main holidays are Ramadan and Hajj. During the fasting of Ramadan good deeds are rewarded according to the sincerity of the deed and multiplied from stages of 1 to 700 times. The commitment of Ramadan proves one's love for Allah. The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj, achieves a purification of spirit. One seeks forgiveness of all previous sins and return of the soul to the cleanliness of a newborn baby.

To the Religous Director, Islam means submission to God. To love God one must do whatever is asked by God without conditions. When conditions are set an opening for Satan is made available. People are required to talk to others about Islam as set forth in the first of the Five Pillars of Islam. Heaven is a reward for those who believe and honor Allah. The concept of Heaven gave an impression of a physical reality. A person will receive more pleasures, amusements, and servants according to the degree of faithfulness to Allah and the Qur'an.

Islamic governments are set up to help the needy and unfortunate and are centered on helping society not controlling it. More of the charities given make their way to the people than to officials as payment for their services of distributing the charities. The Qur'an outlines the moral codes of society. Modesty in actions and dress lessen the sins of lust and help reduce rape and molestation. Charity lessens the need for crime as items for survival are given freely and crimes are committed for personal greed. Harmful items consumed by the body are forbidden and are intended to reduce alcoholism, lung cancer, and drug addiction. Food is to be consumed in moderation to decrease the supply demand and prevent obesity and heart disease.

The Imam or spiritual leader should know the individual members of the Mosque. With a personal relationship he can become aware of hardships and personal issues of his members. He can expect how much a person is to give during Ramadan or if a person is entitled to financial or spiritual help.

Personal Defence in Christianity and Islam

Christianity and Islam honor the same God, the God of Abraham. The Jews had a troublesome history. They were attacked and conquered numerous times because of their lack of faith in God and their sins towards God. They were also led into victorious battles by God to occupy the Promised Land and defend their homes from invaders. Jesus taught to settle matters with forgiveness and submission. Jesus did not have an opportunity to be involved in an invasion that would mean slavery and death to many. He lived in a time of Roman occupation and could have been referring to living peacefully with the Romans. After the life of Jesus, Christians were persecuted by the Romans and the Jews were conquered by several nations. Conflicts should be settled peacefully and no aggression should be taken are taught in the Qur'an ( NOI.org, 2006 ). At the same time provisions are made for people to defend themselves.

Permission to fight is granted to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged, and Allah indeed has the power to help them. They are those who have been driven out of their homes unjustly only because they affirmed: Our Lord is Allah. If Allah did not repel the aggression of some people by means of others, cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft commemorated, would surely be destroyed. Allah will surely help him who helps His cause; Allah is indeed Powerful, Mighty. If We ( sic ( establish these persecuted ones in the earth, they will observe Prayer and pay the Zakat, and enjoin good and forbid evil. With Allah rests the final issue of all affairs. ( 22:40 - 2 ). ( Alislam.org, 2007, ch. 6,para.2 ).

Christianity teaches to rely on God to protect the righteous, to turn the other cheek but does not mention human provisions for defense.

Charity and Morality in Christianity and Islam

Islam has specific rules for proper dress of women. Women should not wear clothing that is revealing in any way. By not displaying their sexual charms women will not entice obscene thoughts and wants in men. This helps to protect their chastity. Christianity teaches of modesty but relies on the self-control of men to not think about sexual beauty or to want lustfully.

Both religions had matters of idolatry that weakened their faith. Greediness is a form of idoltry so charity is called for in both religions. Christianity teaches to help others in anyway possible. Provisions of food should be given to the hungry, shelter to the homeless and financial assistance to the unfortunate. Tithing varies from church to church but the average of 10 % of a person's gross should be donated to help with the church's overhead and supported ministies. Islam requirements depend on the sect of the follower. The Sunni's requires 2.5 % of a person's annual profit be given to the local Mosque to be distributed to the needy plus whatever can be donated on a volunteer basis. The Shi'ites requires 10 % ( Fisher, 2005 ). Both religions are involved with charity. They have many missions in the third world countries that assist in building, education, and farm improvements. In modern countries there are programs that provide guidance and shelter for homeless families and prison missions to reform criminals.

Christian Definition and Symbols

Christianity is a monistic religion with God as the Creator of all things. Jesus was God's Son sent to save the world from sin and to die for the sins of humankind. Just before Jesus died he told his disciples that he would be ever present in the form of the Holy Spirit. The three deities in Christianity are known as the Holy Trinity ( Fisher, 2005 ).

Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, are revered as saviors and prayers are offered to them to assist in times of need. The symbol of Christianity is a variation of a cross. Roman Catholics use a cross with the figure of Jesus attached. Other Christian sects use an empty cross signifying that Jesus is no longer dead, He has risen, and resides with God in Heaven.

Islam Definition and Symbols

Islam is a monotheistic religion that believes Allah is the creator and the only God. Islam does not have a symbol so say. Many Islamic nations have the crescent moon and star on their flags and are therefore misconceived as the symbol of Islam. The star and moon, according to historians, was the flag of the Ottoman Empire ( Religionfacts.com, 2007 ).

Summary

Christianity and Islam honor the same prophets of the One True God. The Christian prophets end with the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. Islam recognizes the same prophets but also considers Jesus a prophet and martyr, not the Messiah foretold of in the Jewish Torah. Christianity does not mention the Islam prophet Muhammad because the Christian writings end with the lives of Jesus' 12 apostles. Muhammad was born almost 600 years later ( Fisher, 2005 ).

Christianity and Islam have the same God that was worshipped by the two sons of Abraham. Even though the religions developed separately they have the same belief' of one God and teach the same principals of worship, charity, peace and social behavior. The religions have differences as to the requirements of these items. The Islam standard is to prevent crime by not promoting unwanted actions or thoughts. Christianity promotes will power to abstain from crime. Both religions teach that God is to be the center point of a person's life. Islam has the Salat to enforce these teachings. Christianity believes the Messiah has arrived, but Islam is still waiting for that day. Both religions have the presumption of Judgment Day and strive to convince people their religion is the only religion to gain entrance into Heaven.

Reference:

Alislam.org, ( 2007 ).
Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets. Retrieved July 2, 2007, from http://www.alislam.org/library/books/muhammad_seal_of_the_prophets/chapter_06.html

CARM.org, ( 2006 ).
Muhammad. Retrieved June 29, 2007, from http://www.carm.org/islam/muhammad.htm

Fisher, M.P., ( 2005 ).
Living Religions (6th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc. NOI.org, ( 2005 ). History. Retrieved July 3, 2007 from http://www.noi.org/history_of_noi.htm

Religionfact.com, ( 2007 ).
Symbols. Retrieved July 3, 2007, from http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/symbols.htm

---

We have provided a sitemap to ease in the navigation of our website.