SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY

INTRODUCTION

Similarities / Similar Teachings in the Qur’an and the Bible which Muslims follow but Christians don't

I ISLAM

1. DEFINITION
A. Meaning of Islam
(i) Islam is derived from the word salaam meaning peace.
(ii) Submission to the Will of Allah (swt) i.e. God Almighty.
B. Meaning of ‘Muslim’ – One who submits his will to Allah.
C. Islam is not a new religion found by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

2. MESSENGERS IN ISLAM
A. (i) To every nation was sent a Guide or a Messenger Al-Qur'an 35:24Al-Qur'an 13:7
(ii) 25 Prophets mentioned by name in the Qur'an
(iii) Islam is the only non-Christian faith that believes in Jesus (pbuh)
(iv) Stories only of some prophets mentioned in Qur'anAl-Qur'an 4:164Al-Qur'an 40:78
(v) More than 1,24,000 Messengers according to Hadith
B. (i) Previous Messengers were only sent for their people and nation and their complete message was meant only for a particular time period.
(ii) Moses (pbuh) was only sent for the Jews.
(iii) Jesus (pbuh) sent only for the Jews i.e. lost sheep of Israel. Al-Qur'an 3:49Mathew 10:5-6Mathew 15:24
(iv) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Last and Final Messenger for the Whole of Mankind. Al-Qur'an 33:40Al-Qur'an 21:107Al-Qur'an 34:28Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Book of Salaah Chapter 56 Hadith No. 429
(v) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised in the Bible. Al-Qur'an 7:157Al-Qur'an 61:6Deuteronomy 18:18Isaiah 29:12Song of Solomon 5:16John 16:7John 16:12-14
3. REVELATIONS OF GOD
A. Several Revelations sent by Allah – Al-Qur'an 13:38. By name only four are mentioned in the Qur’an.
B. (i) The Qur’an is the Last and Final Revelation.
(ii) All previous Revelations before Qur'an were only sent for a particular group of people and for a particular time period
(iii) The Qur’an was Revealed for the Whole of Mankind Al-Qur'an 14:1Al-Qur'an 14:52Al-Qur'an 2:185Al-Qur'an 39:41

II PILLARS OF ISLAM:

1. Tauheed: Monotheism

A. La ilaha ilallahu, Muhammad-ur-RasoolullahSahih Bukhari Vol. 1 Hadith No. 7

B. Believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers.Al-Qur'an 2:177

C. Come to common terms — Worship of one God Al-Qur'an 3:64

D. Concept of God Al-Qur'an 112:1-4Deuteronomy 6:4Mark 12:29

E. Shirk – Biggest Sin Al-Qur'an 4:48Al-Qur'an 4:116Exodus 20:2-5Deuteronomy 5:7-9

F. Jesus (pbuh) not God. He never claimed Divinity Al-Qur'an 5:72John 14:28John 10:29Mathew 12:28Luke 11:20John 5:30Acts 2:21

G. 99 Attributes of Almighty God Al-Qur'an 17:110

H. Prefer using name ‘Allah’ rather than the word ‘God’ as the word ‘God’ can be played around with. Allah in the Bible – Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani Mark 15:34Mathew 27:46

2. Salaah

A. Not merely Prayers but Programming Al-Qur'an 5:90Al-Qur'an 2:188

B. Prayers restrain you from shameful and unjust deeds
Al-Qur'an 29:45

C. Salaah timings – for healthy soul five times a day Al-Qur'an 17:78Al-Qur'an 20:130

D. Take off shoes before entering mosque.
(i) Commandment of Allah to Moses Al-Qur'an 20:11-12Exodus 3:5Acts 7:33
(ii) Can Pray with Shoes. Sunan Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 240,Hadith No. 652-653.
(iii) Hygienic

E. Ablution
(i) Al-Qur'an 5:6Exodus 40:31-32Acts 21:26
(ii) Hygienic
(iii) Mental Preparation

F. Stand shoulder to shoulder, while praying – Sahih Bukhari – Vol. 1, Book of Adhan Chapter 75 Hadith no. 692Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah Chapter 245 Hadith No. 666.
G. Sujud – Prostration
(i) To humble your mind, humble your body
(ii) Sujud mentioned 92 times in the Qur’an Al-Qur'an 3:43Al-Qur'an 22:77
(iii) Prostration in the BibleGenesis 17:3; Numbers 20:6Joshua 5:14; Mathew 26:39

3. Zakaah

A. Meaning: Purification and Growth

B. Description: 2.5% of saving every lunar year in charityAl-Qur'an 9:60

C. If every human being gives Zakaah, not a single person will die of hunger.

D. "Wealth does not circulate only amongst the wealthy and the rich"Al-Qur'an 59:7

E. In Peter 4:8

4. SAUM - FASTING

A. Description – one lunar month i.e. during the month of Ramadaan every lunar year, Muslims fast, i.e. abstain from food and drinks from sunrise till sunset.

B. Benefits: learn self restraint. If you can control your hunger you can control almost all your desires. It enhances spiritual awareness.Al-Qur'an 2:183

C. Medical Benefits:
(a) Increases absorption capacity of intestines
(b) Lowers cholestrol.
D. Discourages smoking, alcoholism and other addictions.
E. Bible prescribes FastingMathew 17:21Mark 9:29

5. HAJJ

A. Description – Pilgrimage atleast once in life time if you can afford it

B. Universal Brotherhood – 2.5 million people from all over the world gather, wear two pieces of unsewn cloth, preferably white. Cannot differentiate between rich and poor.Al-Qur'an 49:13

C. Significance of Kaaba – Muslims don’t worship it Psalms 84:4-7

III ISLAM IS A COMPLETE WAY OF LIFE

These five pillars do not constitute complete Islam. Only if the pillars are strong, will the structure be strong.

1. HUMANS CREATED TO WORSHIP ALLAH

A. Jinn and Man created for worship of Allah Al-Qur'an 51:56
B. Meaning of Ibadaah – root word Abd meaning ‘slave’.

2. OBEYING COMMANDMENTS OF ALLAH IS SUBMITTING YOUR WILL TO ALLAH

A. Abstaining from alcoholAl-Qur'an 5:90Proverbs 20:1 Ephesians 5:18

B. Abstaining from prohibited foodAl-Qur'an 5:5Al-Qur'an 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115
(i) Dead meatLeviticus 17:15Deuteronomy 14:21
(ii) Blood Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:14, Deuteronomy 12:16, I Samuel 14:33, Acts 15:29
(iii) Pork is prohibited Leviticus 11:7-8Deuteronomy 14:8Isaiah 65:2-5
(iv) Food on which names beside Allah have been invoked Acts 15:29; Revelation 2:14

C. (i) Being Honest in your Business
(ii) Helping NeighboursAl-Qur'an 107:1-7
(iii) Abstaining from BackbitingAl-Qur'an 104:1-3Al-Qur'an 49:11-12
(iv) Obeying and Respecting ParentsAl-Qur'an 17:23, 24
(v) Celibacy or Monasticism is prohibited in Islam Sahih Bukhari: Vol. 7 Book of Nikah, Chapter No. 3, Hadith No. 4
(vi) Loving, being Kind and Just to your Wife Al-Qur'an 4:19
(vii) Abstaining from AdulteryAl-Qur'an 17:32

D. Dressing Modestly
(i) Al-Qur'an 24:30Mathew 5:27-28
(ii) Al-Qur'an 24:31
(iii) Six Criteria for Hijab in IslamDeuteronomy 22:5I Timothy 2:9 e.g. of MaryI Corinthians 11:5-6

E. CircumcisionActs 7:8John 7:22Luke 2:21

F. In short, every Muslim should follow all the Commandments of Allah (swt) and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and abstain from the things they have prohibited.
CONCLUSION
(a) If Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Christ (pbuh) and not one who worships Christ (pbuh). (We are more Christian than the Christians themselves).
(b) Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah.Jesus (pbuh) said, "not my will but thy will be done." i.e. Muslim.John 5:30
(c) Al-Qur'an 5:82