Islam and Estranged siblings or polarized world views?
Christianity
5 pillars of faith terminology
• Islam - The religion revealed to Muhammad,
1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of meaning “submission” (to the will of Allah)
the prophet hood of Muhammad (shahadah) • Muslim - “one who submits” (to God), a follower
of Muhammad
2. Establishment of the daily prayers (salat) • Allah - Arabic word for God, used by Jews and
Christians as well
3. Concern for and almsgiving to the needy (zakat) • Muhammad - The founder of Islam, 570-632 AD.
He is considered by Muslims to be the last and
final prophet of God through whom God gave the
4. Self-purification through fasting (sawm) revelations in the Qur’an.
• Qur'an (Koran) - Believed by Muslims to be the
5. The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able (hajj) full and final revelation of God to mankind,
conveyed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel
(Note: pillars 2 to 5 have a pagan background) over a 23 year period and corresponds to the
eternal origin in Heaven.
• Hadith - “a story”, an oral tradition later written
God has decreed the faith He gave immutable and down of what the prophet supposedly said
(sunna), did, or approved of – something said or
commissioned us to be “hope sharers”... (Jude done in his presence
1:3, 1 Peter 3:15) • Jihad - Sacred struggle with word or sword in the
cause of Allah; a holy war
• Fatwa - A expert legal opinion of Qur’anic law
Do not let the opportunity pass to share the Gospel • Shirk - Association, in particular the association
of any other God, so as to impugn his absolute
message with Muslims around you. uniqueness
Comparison of Islamic God & Christian God
Allah (Islamic God) Jehovah (Christian God)
"Praise be to Allah, who begets no son, and has no partner in God sent His Son, Jesus, to atone for the sins of mankind
(His) domain.” (17:111) (John 3:16-17)
"O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Jesus is part of the triune God, come in the flesh to earth for
Nor, say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of this purpose through His crucifixion and resurrection.
Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah and His
Word...” (4:171)
"Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy -- they “Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but
will attain salvation...” (23:102) by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in
Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and
not by observing the law, because by observing the law no
one will be justified.” (Gal. 2:16)
Other references: Romans 5:10 & Acts 4:12 and on and on…
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Comparison of Jesus & Muhammad Islamic Sects
Jesus Muhammad Created as result of dispute over who the
Virgin born Natural birth first “Caliph” or successor of Muhammad
Sinless Sinful (prayed 70 times a day for 1. Sunni
sins) • 80% of Muslims
Died for sinners Died for no one • Successor should be elected
• Hadith recognized
Performed miracles No miracles (he says no miracles
but later does because others 2. Shi’ite
said Moses and Jesus did) • Successor should come from bloodline
of Muhammad
Son of God Only a man • Would have been Ali, Muhammad’s
Worshipped Not worshipped cousin and son-in-law
• Hadith not recognized
Resurrected from dead Died and stayed dead (tomb still
in medina) 3. Sufi (small sect)
• Mystical
Fulfilled OT prophecies Fulfilled no prophecies
• Seek personal relationship with Allah
Ascended into Heaven Did not ascend into Heaven • New age aspect of
Jewish (Messiah) – OT link Arab (not Messiah) pantheism/monotheism
• Potential to attain godhood (fanna)
Mediator/Intercessor/Saviour Not mediator/saviour
Personal relationship No personal relationship
Other key differences (Sunni vs. Shi’ite) also
Second coming (even Muslims No second coming
resulting from: Political issues, view of Qur'an being
believe this) created or eternal, Role of Imams.
Gives eternal life Does not give eternal life
The Christian and Muslim View of Jesus
Christian View
Son of God Muslim View
(He is God Incarnate) Revered Prophet
Saviour of the World Not the Son of God
He was Crucified and Never Crucified, but was
Resurrected Taken to Heaven
Part of the Trinity The Messiah for the Jews
Messiah for the Whole Only
World
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sumair@theologyinsneakers.com