Islam and Christianity
"Indeed, the believers, Jews, Sabians and Christians—whoever truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve." - Al-Ma'idah (69)
Similarities Between Christianity and Islam
The Glorious Qur'an says in Surah Ale-Imran V.64 (“Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah.") But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."” We have to come to commonalities which are mentioned in the Bible and the Quran.
According to the Holy Qur'an and the Bible, there are several similarities between Islam and Christianity.
1. Arab Christians use the same word "Allah" to refer to God.
2. Belief in one God.
The creator speaks about himself and the oneness of God at several places in the Qur'an and the Bible, We have to come to the common terms which are mentioned in the Bible and the Holy Qur’an. For example, Qur’an says in Surah Ikhlas V. 1-4 (“Say He is Allah who is One, Allah the absolute and eternal, He begets not, nor is He begotten, there is nothing like Him”). This is a four line definition that Allah has given in the glorious Qur’an. If any person worships any candidate/God, put that God to the test of Surah Ikhlas. If he passes this four line definition of Surah Ikhlas, Muslims have got no objection accepting that candidate as God.
A similar message is given in the Bible: Book of Deuteronomy V. 4 (“Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Haino Adonai Ikhad” Oh Israel, our God is one Lord”) and when Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) was asked which of the first commandments, he repeated the verse that was mentioned by Moses (peace be upon him). It is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark Ch.12 V.29 Jesus (pbuh) says “Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Haino Adonai Ikhad” which means “Hear O’ Israel: The Lord, Our God is One Lord”
It's further mentioned in Surah Nisa V. 48 and Surah Nisa V. 116 (“Allah will never forgive the sin of associating partners with God”) so the biggest sin in Islam is associating partners with God.
"Say He is Allah, who is One" - Surah Ikhlas (1)
The same message is given in the Bible Book of Exodus Ch.20 V. 3-5 Almighty God says (“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.")
The same message is repeated in Book of Deuteronomy V. 7-9 (“you shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me”).
It is also mentioned in Psalm 81:9 (“You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.”)
It’s clearly mentioned in the Qur’an Surah Al Maidah V. 72 (“They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah, - Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.”)
In short, the biggest sin in Islam as well as Christianity is associating partners with Almighty God.
3. Belief in Isa عليه السلام/Jesus PBUH
Isa (A.S)/Jesus is one of the greatest persons ever to have walked the earth. Two world faiths hold him in high regard. Islam holds him to be God’s Messiah, Prophet, and Righteous Servant. "No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus Christ peace be upon him". Christianity holds him to be all of the above and even more. Hence belief in Jesus is an element of faith that is common to Christianity and Islam. Even though the two faiths believe in him differently, both faiths hold Jesus Christ in high esteem.
4. Miraculous Birth and Powerful Deeds
Jesus peace be upon him was born miraculously without any male intervention. He had a mother, but no father and was not married and had no children. It is mentioned in the Qur’an Surah Ale Imran V. 47 (“She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" [The angel] said, "Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is.”). It’s also mentioned in the Bible Gospel of Matthew Ch.1 V.18, (“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.”) and the Gospel of Luke Ch.1 V. 35 (“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”) that he was born miraculously without any male intervention.
Muslims and Christians believe that Jesus entered the world in a miraculous manner; that he worked mighty deeds on earth; that his exit was mysterious; and that his second coming will be spectacular. His miraculous entrance is hailed by Christians as the virginal conception, as is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Quranic story of Jesus Christ as found in chapters 3 and 19 has many elements in common with Luke’s Gospel, leading to the common interpretation and belief among Muslims in the virginal conception as well.
Jesus’ powerful deeds, especially during the last few years of his ministry, are detailed in the four Gospels in the New Testament. Likewise, the Quran informs us that God supported Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and that Jesus healed the leper, cured the blind, and even raised the dead back to life, all with God’s permission. Its mentioned in glorious Qur’an Surah Ale-Imran Ch. 3 V. 49 (“And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.”)
5. Return of Isa/Jesus (PBUH)
According to the Gospels, Jesus’ exit from the world was at first a mystery to his disciples. But the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, show that Jesus later appeared to his disciples and confirmed for them that God had raised him alive to the heaven. The Quran, without describing the event in any detail, confirms for Muslims that “God raised Jesus to Himself” (Quran 4:157). The belief that Jesus is alive with God, then, is common to Muslims and Christians. Muslims also generally believe that Jesus will return to the earth before the Day of Judgment. It is stated in the Quran through two verses (4:158 and 43:61) “And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.” It has been interpreted as possible references to this event. This belief is, however, stated in many sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and found in the most authentic collections of his sayings.
6. Belief in Muhammad (PBUH)
Although, you see Christians do not believe in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but according to the Holy Bible, Christians must believe in Muhammad (pbuh). There are several references in the Bible that refer to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Some of the references are as follows:
If you read the Bible, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was prophesized in the Old Testament in the Book of Deuteronomy Ch.18 V.18-19 ("I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I commend him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.") Some translations say, I will take revenge anyone who does not follow this messenger to come, Almighty God will take revenge from these people.
Moreover, Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah Ch. 29 V.12 ("And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he said, I am not learned.")
Gospel of John Ch.15 V.26 ("When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.")
Gospel of John Ch.16 V.7 ("But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.")
Even the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned in the Old Testament. It’s mentioned in the Song of Solomon Ch. 5 V.16 ("Hikko Mamittakim we Kullo "Muhammadim" Zehdoodeh wa Zehrayee Baina Jerusalem" it means: "His mouth is most Sweet. He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend, O’ Daughters of Jerusalem") The name; Muhammad is written in Hebrew language; "Muhammadim",for example, "IM" with the name of Muhammad is added in sematic language as addition of respect (IM-Plural of Respect in Hebrew, so in the translation, it means al-together Lovely).
In the New Testament, it's mentioned in Gospel of John Ch. 14 V.16, Jesus Christ said "I will pray to my Father; to almighty God to send you a comforter".
Gospel of John Ch.15 V.26 ("And When I pray to my Father and when he sends you a comforter, He will abide with you Forever.")
Jesus Christ peace be upon him said in Gospel of John Ch.16 V. 12-14 ("I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you"). All these prophecies does not refer to anyone, but the last and final messenger Muhammad (pbuh).
All Christians must believe in Jesus Christ (pbuh), follow his teachings, and what he said about Muhammad (pbuh). If any Christian does not believe in Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), they are denying the teachings of Jesus Christ (pbuh). Therefore, they must have to believe in the last and final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Bible and Quran Forbid The Consumption of Pork
The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you”.
“Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.” [Leviticus 11:7-8]
Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy “And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.” [Deuteronomy 14:8]
The Bible says:
“The pig also because it is a splitter of the Hoof but there is no cud. It is unclean for You None of their flesh must you eat and carcass You must not touch.” Deuteronomy 14:8 (Bible)
A similar prohibition is repeated in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse 2-5.
The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition: The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places.
It is prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115.
According to Qur’an:
“Forbidden to you for (food) are : dead meat, Blood and the flesh of the swine and that Which hath been invoked the name other than Allah.” (Holy Qur’an 5:3)
Alcohol is Prohibited in Islam and Christianity
1. Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an
The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse:
“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (Dedication of) stones, And (divination by) arrows, Are an Abomination – Of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such (abomination), That ye may prosper.” [Al-Qur’an 5:90]
2. Alcohol is prohibited in the Hadith
The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
a. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 - Hadith No. 3371.
“Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils.”
b. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30-Hadith No. 3392
“Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a small quantity.” Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot.
c. Not only those, who drink alcohol are cursed, but also those who deal with them directly or indirectly are cursed by Allah. According to Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3380. It was reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “(God’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one whom serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else.”)
Hijab
The concept of hijab is not only related to Islam, it is also mandatory for Christian and Jewish women. Here are some examples of woman's head covering by different religions such as Catholic Nun, Orthodox Christian Nun, Orthodox Jew, and Muslim.
The Holy Qur'an says "…Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed (molested or insulted)..." (Quran 33:59)
A Christian woman who becomes a nun is said "to take the veil". This is said in reference to her head covering. Nuns throughout Christian history have been recognizable by their distinctive head coverings many of which resemble Muslim hijab. In medieval times, across the western world married women normally covered their hair outside the house, and nun's veils were often based on secular styles, reflecting a nun’s position as "a bride of Christ". Nuns were said to give up a secular life in order to serve God, but nonetheless were due the respect and honor given to a modest married woman.
Interestingly the Bible verses to which Christians refer to when explaining why women should cover their heads, especially in prayer or in church come to us from Saint Paul in his letters to the Corinthians. Corinth was a city situated on the peninsula of Southern Greece and was part of the Roman Empire during the time Corinthians was written. It was a cultural melting-pot of Roman, Greek, and Jewish cultures, thus it is pertinent to wonder what cultural norms were retained as the city changed hands and empires.
1 Corinthians 11:5, says that "Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved." The early Christian women veiled their heads in church and anytime they were in public and Christian women continued to maintain this practice to some degree throughout the centuries until the 19th and 20th centuries when the practice rapidly declined.
1 Corinthians 11. (King James Version) 5-6 &
1 Corinthians 11 (New Revised Standard) 5-6
"5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven . 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verses 3-10
"But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered disgraces her head, for it is the same as if she were shaven. For if a woman is not covered, let her be shaven. But if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head."