This document is an introduction to a paper that will compare the teachings of Christianity and Islam. It outlines the approach that will be taken, which is to focus only on the original ancient teachings found in the Quran and New Testament, and to analyze the principles and practices rather than external forms or modern interpretations. It acknowledges limitations to the analysis due to restrictions on research. The introduction proposes to objectively analyze the teachings without bias toward different approaches or opinions.

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Islam vs Christianity: Comparison of Teachings
Introduction
Comparing any religions is a thankless task; comparing Islam and Christianity is
somewhat easier because of their Abrahamic origin. However, as we approach the
information on comparison, we encounter a list of problems, for example: should we compare
the original ancient teachings, the teachings as they were transformed by the society or the
teachings as they are interpreted today? Should we compare external aspects or only the
philosophy behind them? …Our present research is limited in some degree, so in order to
make it as adequate as possible within the limits let us accept the following conditions as
basis for impartial comparison and analysis:
1) We will analyze and compare only the original ancient teachings of Christ and
Mohammed, and skip the additional texts like commentaries, law codes based on teachings,
and so on.
2) We will regard similar principles and practices of the religions as similarities,
irrespectively of the external form these principles or practices are fulfilled in (like prayer or
fasting).
3) We will agree that the Holy Books – Quran and Bible – were each written by groups of
people rather than by one man (prophet), and in the course of time both were edited,
supplemented, corrected in some way or another (http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-
and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam). We will also agree to contrast Quran to the New
Testament, not the whole Bible, because the Old Testament, although generally accepted by

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modern Christians, contains many ideas opposite to those propagated by Jesus (and that was
actually the reason for his execution).
4) We will reserve the right to refer to the personalities of the prophets for their life is seen by
the followers as an example of perfect life within the corresponding religion.
5) We will accept the fact that the overwhelming majority of followers and institutions within
the corresponding religion act opposite to their Holy Books – for example, Inquisition from
the Christian side and suicide bombers from the Islamic side – therefore, we will compare
and analyze only teachings (“how should the followers act”) and not their fulfillment or non-
fulfilment.
Now, after such a long, but necessary foreword, we are prepared to analyze the
teachings critically and adequately without danger of getting entangled in different
approaches and opinions.
The Similarities of Christianity and Islam in the Context of Abrahamic Religions
There are three so-called Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. All
three share a number of beliefs; Christianity was found by Jesus Christ and is based on the
scripture of New Testament; Islam was found by the prophet Mohammed and is based on the
book of Quran (or Qur’an). Christianity and Islam actually have many similar ideas, although
they may differ in some details – which I would like to call “formal differences”. I would like
to mention these formal differences while talking about similarities, because I see them as
“method in front of principle” – that is, different, but not crucial.
Both Christians and Muslims are monotheists (Muslims believe in one and only God,
Christians believe in the Holy Trinity of God). The two religions accept the same list of

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prophets (but Muslims deny the divinity of Jesus and consider him just one of the greatest
prophets). Both religions believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Both religions claim
that God made an agreement with men – men should worship the God and keep faith, and
God would protect men who do so. Both religions share a belief about God’s revelation to
men in the form of spoken word and a belief about angels as messengers between God and
humans. The followers of both religions could be called “people of the Book” – that is how
Muslims call Jews and Christians – because their Books are seen as a perfect guide for
everyday life.
The belief about the need of regular worship is common for Christianity and Islam.
The followers of both religions accept public prayers in churches or mosques, and private
prayers; each religion has its own recommendations about methods of prayer and specific
words. Christianity and Islam share the idea of fasting, which is seen as purification for body
and soul; and the tradition of pilgrimage: for Muslims pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca is
one of the most important acts, while Christians do not have a special place of pilgrimage, but
keep the tradition of visiting different holy places.
Quran includes and confirms most messages brought by the earlier prophets – that is
prophets of the Bible – and according to Islam, Mohammed received and propagated the last
and the most complete teaching, while those brought earlier were distorted by people
(Douglas, S). Islam, as well as Christianity, predicts the Day of Resurrection and of
Judgement. Both Islam and Christianity claim they are not “new religions”, but the same
messages given by the God earlier. Both religions teach that all men are equal, and any
discrimination according to race, color, social position, etc. is unjustified

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(http://www.missionislam.com/discover/basic.htm). Both religions claim that there is life
after earthy death.
Differences: Formal and Essential
There are some basic formal differences between the two religions which also should
be mentioned. Muslims follow their special diet, while Christians actually have no such diet
(Douglas, S). Also, Islam strictly forbids use of statues and pictures; and imposes strict rules
considering clothes, while Christians are simply recommended to dress modestly
(http://www.diffen.com/difference/Christianity_vs_Islam).
Before we switch over to the essential differences of Islam, one explanation should be
made. Islam is often called “a religion of peace”. However, anyone who studied Quran is able
to notice the differences and contradictions between its earlier and later parts. These
contradictions may be explained by the periods in Mohammed’s life: peaceful philosophy,
when he was a modest prophet, and the philosophy of glory, power and violence when he
became the head of state. There is a principle of “abrogation” in Islam – when the
contradiction is found in earlier and later texts, the later are regarded as more correct
(http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam). Thereby, the
more aggressive part of Quran is more correct – and here the really essential differences
begin.
Quran contains numerous calls for violence – towards non-Muslims, or infidels,
towards sinners, who committed certain crimes, towards Jews and Christians, although they
are “the people of the Book”; and Quran means violence as killing. Jesus always opposed any
violence, towards anyone, while in Islam violence is a part of doctrine. Another topical issue

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of Islam is treatment of women and polygamy. While legal marriage to more than one woman
(the limit is four) can be explained in at least some way, it is interesting that Muhammad
himself had thirteen wives and had uncertain relationship with several other women, and the
Scripture appears to give him an exception in this aspect (http://www.faithfacts.org/world-
religions-and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam). This differs a lot from the teaching of Christ,
who was a live example of his doctrine. Quran also permits to beat women and force them to
have sex with their captors.
As for moral teachings, the teaching about the nature of God and the nature of man
differs a lot: they believe that man is born sinless and is smart enough to choose the right path
of good deeds to earn salvation; while the God – Allah – is seen as distant, arbitrary and even
deceitful. Islamic Hell and Paradise are of particular interest; Christians believe that Heaven
is a spiritual place for every pious soul, either man or woman, where they will live an eternal
life close to the God; while Muslims believe that the majority of people in hell are women (!)
(http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam), while their
Paradise promises rivers of pure water, wine and honey and about a hundred of beautiful
women for every man. Every man in the Paradise will weak silk clothes, eat, drink and have
sex with tens of young women who will renew their virginity every morning
(http://www.thespiritofislam.com/islam-christianity/5-muslim-paradise-and-christian-
heaven.html); however, it is unclear what pious Muslim women get in Paradise, or it is for
men only?
The interesting principle of Islam is that when something is prohibited, then all the
things that may lead to it are prohibited as well – for example, if adultery is prohibited, then
certain clothes, films, pictures, even casual meetings between men and women are prohibited,

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too (http://www.missionislam.com/discover/basic.htm). Islam believes that a man should be
put on the right track by severe control of the state and society rather than by his own
conscience. That makes it “a totalitarian utopian worldview”
(http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam) – behind the
religion there is a sociopolitical ideology, rather like communism. Once an observation was
made, that historically if the society is guided by the Quran, it becomes more oppressive, if it
is guided by the Bible – it provides people with more freedom
(http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam).
Conclusion
The given comparison creates the impression, that while the teaching of Jesus Christ,
as a part of the world philosophical literature, presents a philosophy of life that stays actual at
all times, Islam presents a list of meticulous rules in front of philosophy, and actually it
makes it an extremely complex religious system that stipulates virtually every aspect of life
(Byrne, J.). However, if we think about it and strip Islam of these external aspects, we will
get a mix of Christianity and a number of chauvinistic ideas, composed together as a teaching
of a perfect society. Surprisingly, it still works.

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Works Cited
Byrne, J. Sister Religions – Don’t Pick the Ugly One. From:
http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/JamesByrne30526.htm
Douglas, S. Historical Background: The Abrahamic Faiths. From:
http://cmcuworkshops.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/8_historical-background-
the-abrahamic-faiths.pdf
http://www.missionislam.com/discover/basic.htm
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Christianity_vs_Islam
http://www.thespiritofislam.com/islam-christianity/5-muslim-paradise-and-christian-
heaven.html
http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam