The Qur’an and the Bible seem to have much in common, as do Islam and Christianity. Originally, the Bible is the word of Allah, but people have changed His words. The main difference is in the fundamentals between these two religions. Do you want to know more about these differences? Then continue reading.
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What is Islam?
More than a quarter of the world’s population is Muslim. Islam is a monotheistic religion in which Muslims believe that there is only one God. Mohammed ﷺ was one of the many prophets of Allah, but also Adam, Noah and, for example, Jesus. The word of Allah is written in the holy book of the Qur’an, written in Arabic.
Islam is not something new. The religion has existed since the first man, Adam (as). All the prophets of Allah have delivered the same message, that there is only one God and that is Allah. In fact, there is no god but Allah. The latter is the testimony that a Muslim says and makes him stronger in his/her faith.
Muslims pray five times a day and fast once a year for a month. In addition, Muslims give to the poor, also called ‘zakat’, and as a Muslim you should go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your life (if you can afford the hajj). Muslim boys should be circumcised. Furthermore, Muslims are only allowed to eat and drink halal food. Pork and alcohol, for example, are not permissible.
You can pray anywhere as long as the place is clean. Before you are allowed to pray, you must first wash your hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head and then feet (the small washing). Muslims believe that death is not the end but rather the beginning of eternal life. To enter paradise you have to do good deeds and worship Allah. Based on your sins and good deeds, you will be judged by Allah after death and you will be punished by going to hell or rewarded by going to heaven.
What is Christianity?
Christianity also claims to be a monotheistic religion, although there are actually 3 gods. According to the Christians: God is god, by being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is called the Trinity. God created both heaven and earth in 7 days. He first created only Adam and Eve and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit. In Christianity, Jesus (PBUH) is born of Mary the Virgin and Joseph. The father of Jesus (PBUH) is the Holy Spirit. Jesus (pbuh) performed many miracles, healed people, raised the dead to life and so on. In addition, Jesus (PBUH) had 12 apostles and died on the Cross for our sins. The most important symbol in Christianity is the cross (for Catholics and Orthodox), which is widely used today as a sign of hope.
Good to know: Christianity was founded by Paul, also called Saul. He had a vision where he saw the current concept of Christianity, the Trinity. For Paul, Jesus (pbuh) proclaimed that everyone should worship God (the Father). Very religious people at that time were called children of God.
Saul introduced the concept of the trinity and over time it was adopted by many.
The holy book is the Bible, and people go to Church to pray. Most Christians go to church especially on Sundays to pray and sing together. Sacred rituals are called sacraments, with baptisms being an example. These are conducted by a pastor.
Denominations of Christianity
There are several denominations of Christianity, the most famous of which are:
Roman Catholic: At least half of Christians is Roman Catholic with the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and the head of state of Vatican City.
Protestant: A third of Christians is Protestant, who believe that the church should be less concerned with power and enrichment and more concerned with worshiping God.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity: This is very similar to Roman Catholics, but the Pope is not recognized as the leader. The leader is from Constantinople.
Differences between Islam and Christianity
Christianity and Islam have many differences. Below you can find out what the most common differences are between the two religions:
| Islam | Christendom |
| Allah is alone and the only God. | God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the trinity). |
| Jesus (pbuh) was a human prophet. | Jesus (pbuh) is not human but divine. |
| Allah has no sons. | Jesus (PBUH) is the only Son of God. |
| Jesus (pbuh) was never crucified. (Someone very similar to Jesus (PBUH) was crucified, this can be found in the Old Testament, that people still doubt whether it was really Jesus (PBUH).) | Jesus (PBUH) died on The Cross . |
| Jesus (PBUH) did not die but ascended to Heaven. | Jesus (PBUH) rose from the dead on the third day. |
| The Quran is the word of Allah. The Bible was the word of God but has changed. | The Bible is the Word of God. |
| Every baby is born ‘clean’, without sins and as a Muslim (one who surrenders to God, the One) You are redeemed by the judgment of Allah after death, by working and doing good deeds. | You are born a “sinner” (sinner). You are saved through your faith and asking Christ’s forgiveness. Works are not necessary for the grace of God. |
| No one bears the sins of another, Allah forgives whom He wills. | The people bear the sins of Adam and Eve and are punished for their sins. |
Are there any similarities?
Christianity and Islam have not only differences, but also similarities. You should worship God, He forgives when you ask for forgiveness and He hears your prayer. If you sin little, Allah/God will forgive you (if He wills) and you may go to Heaven to stay with God forever. If you sin (a lot), Allah/God can also forgive you, otherwise you will go to hell after death. Through Disbelief, Idolatry and Polytheism you go directly to Hell. In addition God is able to perform miracles and both Christianity and Islam have a Holy Book. There are several stories and characters from both the Qur’an and the Bible that are very similar.
All this can be explained because both beliefs come from 1 origin or Tawhid. As you can read back in surah 1 (al Fatiha) it is that we ask not to be led astray like previous peoples. The word wander in this ayah refers to the Christians. They try to be very good and they are very fanatical about what they do, but what they believe in is not good. Christians believe that God has a son. This message has not occurred before Christianity. Also, Jesus (pbuh) never said to worship himself. Saul was the one who introduced the trinity . A man who lived years later after Jesus. Believing that God with all His omnipotence and knowledge would lower Himself to a human being is something we must distance ourselves from. God is Ruler of the universe and not lowly human who goes to the toilet and has to eat every day.
