The Similarities Between Islam and Christianity

1013 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Comparative essay between christianity and islam

At the first glance, Islam and Christianity appear to have nothing in common, however; as you go beyond the surface, they appear to have many similarities such as their beliefs of God, their beliefs of life after death, their holy scriptures, and their prayers. These religions, although are two entirely different beliefs, share a similar origin. Like many other religions, they both claim to be the one and only true way to God. In order to truly see and understand their similarities, one must date back to the rise and birth of Christianity and Islam. Throughout the course of this essay, I will compare the many facets that show the alikeness between these two growing religions. Although Islam and Christianity differ in major ways, they also share some similarities in their belief of God. First of all, Christianity and Islam are both monotheistic religions; worshipping only one God. While both believe in the same God, he is called by two completely different names. He is referred to as "Allah" by Muslims and "God" by Christians. The basic creed of Islam is brief: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah”. Islam teaches that there is one God: the creator and sustainer of the universe, whom is compassionate and just. He calls all the people to believe in Him and worship Him. When someone disobeys the Lord, they may be forgiven if they are sincerely repent. In Christianity, the first, and most important of the Ten Commandments states that "I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me". Identical to Muslims, Christians also believe that their God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. The Bible begins with the creation of the Earth by God in seven days. Another similarity between these ... ... middle of paper ... ...es, Trevor. The Kingfisher book of religions: festivals, ceremonies, and beliefs from around the world. New York: Kingfisher, 1999. Dirks, Jerald. The Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam : similarities & contrasts. Beltsville, Md.: Amana Publications, 2004. Ibrahim, I. A.. A brief illustrated guide to understanding Islam . 2nd ed. Houston: Darussalam, 1997. The Holy Bible: giant print ; containing the Old and New Testaments translated out of the original tongues ; and with the former translations diligently compared and revised, by His Majesty's special command, authorized King James version ; words of Chri. Giant print reference ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House, 1994. "What is Islam? (All parts) - The Religion of Islam." The Religion of Islam. http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/6/viewall/ (accessed February 19, 2011).

Show More
Related

  • Thomas W. Lippman's Understanding Islam

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    The book lays the foundation of Islamic basic beliefs and practices. Muslims believe in one God, and feel their religion continues the Judaic and Christian traditions. Arab peoples "trace their origins to the patriarch Abraham, who, according to the Koran was neither Jew nor Christian, but a kind of universal ancestor of monotheists" (5). Thus, Muslims believe in the same God as Jews and Christians.

    Read More

  • Comparing Islam And Christianity: The Beliefs Of Christianity And Islam

    1316 Words  | 3 Pages

    Both Christianity and Islam mirror Judaism. From Judaism, Christianity and Islam derived the doctrines of monotheism, prophecy, resurrection, and a belief in the existence of heaven and hell. Both Islam and Christianity have a holy book. Christians consider the Bible the inspired word of God, however Muslims believe that the Koran is the literal word of God. Mohammed was merely transcribing the words of Allah, much as a court reporter does. Muslims therefore attribute greater spiritual

    Read More

  • Islam: Its History, Sects, and Pillars

    2993 Words  | 6 Pages

    Smith, Huston. The Illustrated World's Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions. San Francisco: Harper SanFrancisco, 1994. Print.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Christianity And Islam

    1501 Words  | 4 Pages

    Two of the world 's largest religious practices are Christianity and Islam. Christianity is the biggest religion in the world with 2.4 billion followers while Islam has 1.3 billion followers. Both religions have similar straits especially since the two histories begin with the first human creation of Adam and Eve and the Prophet Abraham. Despite their similarities, there has been intense wars between the two faiths and tension between the two religions exist today. Major similarities and differences between the two faiths are seen in how the religions view God, the understanding of heaven and hell, along with important prophets. Christians and Muslims believe in the same heaven and hell, same God despite different names, and same prophets however

    Read More

  • Similarities and Differencces between Christianity and Islam

    739 Words  | 2 Pages

    From the information above it is clear that Christianity and Islam believe in one Supreme God. All believers should focus on following the commandments and rules as stated in the respective holy books. However, Christianity and Islam share great differences hence it is appropriate to conclude that Christianity is different from Islam.

    Read More

  • Comparing Christianity, Judaism, and Islam

    741 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many similarities and differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There are also many differences that separate the three major religions of the world. This paper will delve into all three of them.

    Read More

  • Islam: Christianity And Islam

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout history it is evident that many religions have been tried, tested, and, for some, radically changed. Many religions have gone through periods of time in which the way they were run or enforced underwent changes in practice and leadership. In many cases disagreements and differing outlooks among members of certain religions were to blame for these changes. Christianity and Islam are two examples of religions that have experienced changes over the course of their existence. While these religions seem to have little in common at first glance, both have strikingly similar pasts that consist of radical splits due to disagreements among members of the Christian and Islamic churches, resulting in new branches within each religion.

    Read More

  • Understanding the Islamic Concept of Barzakh

    1067 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...did not die’. Islam belief in human nature is also different from Christianity; but the same in Judaism, that human nature has the equal ability to do good or evil. Means of salvation in Islam is closely the same to the other Abrahamic beliefs. In addition, good and bad afterlife beliefs are closely related as well. Interestingly, Christianity views Islam as a false religion and Islam views Judaism and Christianity as ultimately having wrong beliefs and ‘only partial revelation’. Ultimately, these Abrahamic religions are the most influential religions in the world. Their impact on the world is very deep and all trace their history to Abraham in the Hebrew Bible. The brief overview of the similarities and differences of the three monotheistic faiths enables people to enrich or at least receive a concrete vision of what can possibly come with death and the afterlife.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Christianity And Islam

    1023 Words  | 3 Pages

    However much Islam and Christianity would seem to share common ground, the discussion is not complete without noting the parallels between this two that have taken center stage. Some of the remarkable differences as they try to answer deep life complexities arise in the areas of religious practices by both their adherents and the clergy (Dorothy 13-28). “There is also a stark contrast to the belief system subscribed to, means of salvation, scriptures”. The most prominent difference present concerns the belief of life after death and practices of depicting the metaphysical

    Read More

  • Judaism vs. Islam

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    Judaism and Islam are known to be two of the main religions that are found throughout the world. They each have similar traits and many more differences. They both are monotheistic, which means they only believe in one god. Muslims worship the God called Allah, which means in Arabic “the God”. And Jews worship the god called Yahweh, which means the God of Israel. Their differences include their core beliefs, rituals, symbols, and history.

    Read More

  • Christian, Islam, And Judaism

    1388 Words  | 3 Pages

    The conception of God in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam is monotheism, the belief in the existence of a single indivisible God. The three of religions maintains that there is only one God, who is active in and concerned about the world. These religions are also patriarchal, male-dominated, which has resulted in God being described as “He.” However, how Christians, Judaism and Islam conceptualize God in their respective theologies is actually quite different. In Christianity, God is the supreme creator and ruler of the universe. Christians believe God is infinite, omnipotent, all-powerful, perfect, personal, eternal, unchanging, holy, all-knowing, and all-loving. Their idea of God is shown in the belief of the Trinity. God is one, but with three aspects: God is Father, the creator, ruler, and sustainer of all life, and divine judge; God is the Son, who is Jesus, God made incarnate and savior of humanity; and the Holy Spirit, who is God working in the world. Both Muslims and Christians love and respect Jesus, however, the major difference between Islam and Christianity is the Christians insistence on the supposed divinity of Christ. In Christian scriptures, God never claimed divinity while the emphasis in the Islamic theology of God is “absolute unity;” God is sublimely one. Muslims think that by believing in the Trinity, Christians believe in three Gods. For them, God is One God. Judaism views the existence of God as a necessary prerequisite for the existence of the universe, and the existence of the universe is sufficient proof of the existence of God.

    Read More

  • Similarities of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity

    980 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many religions today that people worship and adapt into their daily lives are their creed. Some may have a lot of gods, while some only have one god. But three of these religions are considered as the major religion practiced by most people in the world today. Although different in some senses in terms of history and other teachings, they all have things in common that most of their followers do not seem to realize. The similarities are very important to understand each religion better and be able to determine which parts they vary. In this paper, I like to discuss the similarities found in the three major monotheistic religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Abrahamic Religions

    622 Words  | 2 Pages

    How this promise is fulfilled or who the current beneficiaries of that promise are, is a point of difference, but it is a similar belief that the promise is given. Also, all Abrahamic religions believe in the oneness of God. “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, namely they believe that there is only one God. Jews and Muslims greatly stress the oneness and unity of God”.(http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/Judaism-Christianity-Islam.html). They believe that the only God exists, but they have different names. For example, in Islam there are ninety names of Allah. In Jews, there are seven names of God, and one of the God’s names is YHWH.This name has no vowels in the Hebrew language making the pronunciation of it difficult.Among Christian the name of God has much seated meaning and significance. Christians have different namesfor the God which include Jehovah, God, and others, depending on the language. For instance Arab Christians call God Allah, the same name the Islam religion uses. Judaism, Christianity, and Islamreligions believe on the singularity of the God despite having different names. A slight difference exists when it comes to the idea of the trinity, a Christian belief that God has three forms in His

    Read More

  • Islam vs. Christianity

    775 Words  | 2 Pages

    Islam and Christianity seem to have very little in common; however, the two actually show strong likeness, principally in the central areas. Both Muslims and Christians are monotheists, believing in one God. While both believe in the same God, He is called by two completely different names. He is referred to as "Allah" by Muslims and "God" by Christians. Although Islam and Christianity are two different religions, their similarities in beliefs and prayers make them comparable in many aspects.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Islam And Christianity

    996 Words  | 2 Pages

    A major concept that separates both of the religions is the fact that the God of each faith has different qualities. This means Islam and Christianity don’t worship the same God. Islam and Christianity are two separate belief systems in which two separate Gods exist. The commonalities of Christianity and Islam center around the idea of believing in one God. The God of Christianity and Islam is separate from the world and creation.

    Read More

More about The Similarities Between Islam and Christianity

Open Document