The document compares and contrasts Christianity and Islam. It summarizes the origins and key beliefs of each religion. Christianity originated from Jesus Christ and believes in God as a Trinity. Islam originated from the teachings revealed to Muhammad and believes in one God named Allah. Both religions have sacred texts but Christians view the Bible as inspired by God while Muslims view the Quran as the literal word of God. They have differing views of Jesus, salvation, and the nature of humankind. The document also describes prayers and worship in a mosque from a Muslim perspective.

1. Why I’m A
Christian
AND NOT A MUSLIM

2. Why am I a Christian
and not a Muslim?
There are roughly 1.8 billion Christians in the
world but there are also 1.4 billion Muslims
and the latter is growing!
Why am I a Christian and not a Muslim?

3. If someone asked you, “Where
does Christianity come from?”
What would you say?
I would emphasize the Spirit, which pervades the Gospel, convicts us of sin and gave us the Scriptures.

4. What would a Muslim say if you asked him or
her where Islam comes from?
Muslims believe that Allah (the one and only god) sent his angel Gabriel to
Mohammed (Allah’s chosen prophet).
Gabriel then revealed the Quran to Muhammed who, in turn, had scribes
write it down verbatim beginning in 609/610 AD in Mecca and concluding in
632 AD in Medina, the year Muhammed died.

5. Medina
To
Mecca

6. Like
Christiani
ty, Islam
was
originally
persecut
ed but
the latter
responde
d by
fighting
while the

7. Mecca was a polytheistic holy site and Muhammed
preached monotheism, which did not go over well with
the local businesses!
He eventually conquered the city and removed the idols
from the Kaaba leaving only the Black Rock, which was a
meteorite.
Muhammed then declared it to be
the holiest site in all of Islam.

8. What are the
essential
beliefs of
Christianity?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic and apostolic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Apostles’
Creed
summarizes it as
follows:

9. What are the essential
beliefs of Islam?
God
There is only one true God and His name is Allah. Allah is all - seeing, all-knowing and all-powerful.
Angels
The chief angel is Gabriel, who is said to have appeared to Mohammed. There is also a fallen
angel named Shaitan (from the Hebrew "Satan"), as well as the followers of Shaitan, the jinns
(demons).
Scripture
Muslims believe in four God inspired books: the Torah of Moses (what Christians call the
Pentateuch), the Zabur (Psalms of David), the Injil (Gospel) of Jesus, and the Qur'an. But, because
Muslims believe that Jews and Christians corrupted their Scriptures, the Qur'an is Allah's final word
to mankind. It supersedes and overrules all previous writings.

10. What are the essential
beliefs of Islam?
Mohammed
The Qur'an lists 28 prophets of Allah. These include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jonah
and Jesus. To the Muslim, the last and greatest prophet is Mohammed.
The End Times
On the "last day," the dead will be resurrected. Allah will be the judge, and each person will be
sent to heaven or hell. Heaven is a place of sensual pleasure. Hell is for those who oppose Allah
and his prophet Mohammed.
Predestination
God has determined what He pleases, and no one can change what He has decreed (also
known as kismet, the doctrine of fate). From this doctrine comes the most common Islamic phrase,
"If it is Allah's Will.”

11. 1. To become a Muslim, a person must publicly repeat the Shahadah: "There is no god
but Allah and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah.”
2. Muslims pray five times a day at daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset, and
early evening." The Muslim must kneel and bow in the prescribed manner in the
direction of the holy city, Mecca.
3. Muslim law today requires the believer to give one-fortieth of his profit (2.5 percent).
This offering goes to widows, orphans, the sick and other unfortunates.
4. The ninth month of the Islamic lunar year is called Ramadan and is the highest of
Muslim holy seasons. Muslims are required to fast for the entire month. Food and drink,
as well as smoking and sexual pleasures, are forbidden, but only during daylight hours.
During Ramadan, many Muslims eat two meals a day, the first just before sunrise and
the other shortly after sunset. During Ramadan, the believer must not commit any
unworthy act. If he does, his fasting is meaningless.
5. A pilgrimage to Mecca. This is called the Hajj and must be performed at least once in
a Muslim's lifetime. However, if the pilgrimage is too difficult or dangerous for the
believer, he can send someone in his place.
There are also the Five
Pillars of the Faith:

12. How do Christians
view the Bible?
We believe the
Bible
was inspired by
the Holy Spirit
2 Timothy 3:16:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
training in righteousness
John 14:26:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in my name, he will teach you all things
and bring to your remembrance all that I have said
to you.

13. How do Muslims
view the Quran?
Muslims believe the Quran is eternal and
without error and exists as a heavenly
tablet with Allah.
Muslims have a standardized Quran that
can only be read in Arabic. They believe
there is only one Quran while they
charge Christians with having many
Bibles.
Muslims believe no true word of God
would record the sins of true
prophets. So, the stories of David,
Solomon, etc. are recorded in the Quran
but it omits any wrongdoing.

14. The Bible Vs. The
Quran
Like the Bible, the Quran has chapters (suras) and
verses (ayahs).
The Bible is organized largely chronologically but
the Quran is organized somewhat by length of
chapter and can be confusing!

15. How would an orthodox
Christian define God?
We believe in the Trinity—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

16. How would a conservative
Muslim define Allah?
Mohammed argued that God is one and they consider the Trinity heresy.

17. How do … view Jesus?
Christians
We believe He is God, who became a human,
died for our sins, is the only way to God and will
return to judge and reign.
Muslims
He is described as born of a virgin, a prophet and a miracle
worker but he does not die on the cross, he is not the son of
God and he was not resurrected. Instead, he was taken to
heaven and stands beside Allah and will return at the end of
days to correct Christians.

18. humankind as
inherently sinful
and in need of
salvation.
The unforgivable sin in
Christianity is blaspheming
the Holy Spirit.
The only unforgivable sin in
Islam is dying a polytheist.
Muslims view humankind as
inherently good.
There is no “fall” in Islam but
every person needs to earn
his/her salvation by doing the
following:

19. What is a
mosque?
It is an Islamic place of worship.
Every mosque has a mihrab, a niche in the
wall that indicates the direction of Mecca; the
direction towards which Muslims pray.
Most mosques have a minbar (or pulpit) from
which an Islamic scholar is able to deliver a
sermon or speech.
Sermons are usually delivered on
Friday afternoons.

20. What do Muslims pray and how do they
pray?

21. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
[God is the greatest, God is the greatest]
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
[God is the greatest, God is the greatest]
Ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah
[I bear witness that there is none worthy of
worship but God]
Ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah
[I bear witness that there is none worthy of
worship but God]
Ashadu anna Muhammadan rasoolullah
[I bear witness that Muhammad is the prophet of
God]
Ashadu anna Muhammadan rasoolullah
[I bear witness that Muhammad is the prophet of God]
Hayya'alas salah [Come to prayer,]
Hayya'alas salah [Come to prayer,]
Hayya'alal falah [Come to success,]
Hayya'alal falah [Come to success,]
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
[God is the greatest, God is the greatest]
La ilaha ill Allah
[There is no deity but God.]

22. 1. Muslims must stand and
turn toward Mecca.

23. 2. While standing, the first chapter of the
Quran is recited. This chapter can be
translated as follows.
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Most Gracious, Most
Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee (alone) we worship and Thee (alone) we ask for help. Show us the
straight path. The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of
those who go astray.” (1:1-1:7)
After the first chapter, any other passage from the Quran is recited. Following is a translation of one such
passage.
“Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begetteth not, nor is He begotten. And there is
none like unto Him.” (112:1-112:4)

24. 3. Muslims then bow to God
and glorify Him. This
glorification can be translated
as follows.
“Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty.”

25. 4. To express complete submission and humility before
God, Muslims then prostrate and place their foreheads
on ground. According to the prophetic traditions, at this
moment of humility, the worshipper is closest to
his/her Lord. While prostrating, Muslims glorify God as
follows.
“Glory be to my Lord, the most High.”
Other than glorifying God, it is also a moment for Muslims to ask God for His forgiveness, mercy, blessings and
bounties. Muslims then sit for a few seconds and prostrate one more time before standing up again.
Depending on the time of the prayer, Muslims repeat this cycle once, twice or thrice in each prayer.

26. 5. In the end (and also in the middle for some prayers) Muslims sit as
shown in the figure. At this point they testify before God that there is none
worthy of worship but Him and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is
His slave (meaning creation that is subject to it’s Lord’s commands at all
times) and His Messenger. Muslims then ask God to send His peace and
blessings on His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) as He did on
Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). The translation is as follows.
“All service is for Allah and all acts of worship and good deeds are for Him. Peace and the mercy and blessings of
Allah be upon you O Prophet. Peace be upon us and all of Allah’s righteous slaves. I bear witness that none has the
right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
O Allah exalt Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad, just as you exalted Abraham and the followers of
Abraham. Verily you are full of praise and majesty. O Allah send blessings on Muhammad and the family of
Muhammad, just as you sent blessings on Abraham and upon the followers of Abraham. Verily you are full of
praise and majesty.”

27. End of
Prayer
With this greeting, the obligatory prayer ends.
At the very end, Muslims turn their
face to the right and the left,
sending God’s Peace on those
surrounding them. This greeting of
peace can be translated as follows.
“Peace be upon you and the mercy
of Allah”

28. What are the
major splits in
Christianity?
 Protestant
 Catholic
 Orthodox

29. Islam has also been divided—largely
between Sunni and Shia.
Sunnis make up approximately 80-90% of all Muslims. Shia constitute 10-20%. What’s the difference?

30. The primary dispute between the two is who
was the proper successor (or caliph) of
Muhammad.
Sunnis - the proper caliph is elected and the first was Abu Bakr
Shia - it should follow the bloodline of Muhammed and they rallied
around Ali, who was the prophet’s son-in-law.

31. Iraq and Iran
are largely
Shia. For example, many Wahhabis forbid any practice
that is not Islamic in nature, that includes forbidding
friendships with non-Muslims or even playing
soccer because it is western!
There are other sects and movements like
Sufism, which is more mystical and Sikhism
and the Wahhabism, which is a radical wing
of the Sunnis.
Osama Bin Laden subscribed to Wahhabism
because it is VERY legalistic even for Islam.

32. BUT…if a liberal tried to teach their view of the
Quran anywhere where Sharia law is enforced,
they would be executed!
Just like Christianity, there are liberals
and conservatives within Islam

33. What is
the
Hadith?
For example, the Hadith records Abu Bakr, a follower of
Islam, starting that Allah decrees good but does not decree
evil.
Muhammed replied, “O Abu Bakr, if Allah Most High had
not willed that there be disobedience, He would not have
created the Devil.”
Abu Bakr replied, “I seek pardon from Allah, I slipped and
stumbled, O Apostle of Allah, but never again will I fall into
error about this matter.”
It is a collection
of statements
by Muhammed.

34. What is sharia law?
Shariah is a collection of legal interpretations of the Quran and the
Hadith. It forbids the consumption of alcohol and pork. It lays out
punishments for blasphemy, stealing, adultery, etc.

35. What is the
caliphate?
Caliph means “successor.” There is no
division between church and state in
Islam. So, a caliphate is an Islamic
government, which looks to shariah law.
*Shia, however, believe that caliph must be
an Imam who is a descendent of
Muhammed and is chosen by God.
1. He must be a Muslim.
2. He must be an adult (past puberty)
3. He must be male.
4. He must be sane.
5. He must be just ( ‫‘عادل‬aadil).
6. He must not be a faasiq ‫فاسق‬) )
that is, someone publicly known to
be a sinner.
7. He must be capable of carrying the
responsibility of a Caliph.
Caliphsmaybeelectediftheymeetthe
followingrequirements:

36. What is an
Imam?
Sunnis use the term to designate a worship leader in a Mosque but Shia
believe the term only applies to descendants of Muhammed who are
religious scholars. Shia believe Imams are free from sin and are always to be
obeyed because they are appointed by God.

37. What do
Christians
teach about
evil, angels
and demons?
We believe Satan and demons are fallen
angels and that evil is a product of our free
choices and of sin.

38. What do
Muslims
teach about
evil, angels
and
demons?
As we saw, most Muslims believe Allah does
will evil and created Satan and demons, which
they call Jinn.

39. Jihad can mean “inner struggle” but usually is “holy war” and it finds ample
support in both the Quran and the Hadith.
For example, “…fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, and seize them,
beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every war.”
Quran 9:5
What is Jihad?

40. What do … teach about the relationship
between men and women?
Christians
 While men are to lead their family, men and women
are equal in worth in the eyes of God.
 “For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 2:11
 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave
nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you
are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I
understand that God shows no partiality, but in every
nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is
acceptable to him.” Acts 10:34-35
Muslims
 “Men have authority over women because God has made the
one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth
to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their
unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from
whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and forsake them
in beds apart, and beat them.” Quran 4:34
 “A male shall inherit twice as much as a female.” Quran 4:11
 Women shall with justice have rights similar to those exercised
against them, although men have a status above women.”
Quran 2:228

41. What do … believe about the “end
times”?
Christians
 Most Christians believe Jesus will return to
judge the living and the dead, banish evil &
death and reign over the universe forever.
Muslims
 The Quran does not give a lot of specifics. It
appears that upon death the soul is taken to
heaven but then returned to the body in the
grave to await the Day of Judgment. There is
not a lot of consensus on what happens in
this intermediate period.

42. What do female martyrs
get?
Their husbands!

43. The time of the Day of
Judgment is kept “hidden”
from man
(Quran 20:15). But, the
Quran hints at “signs” such as
the decay of the natural world
and widespread immorality.
• There is also a widespread belief that there will be
an antichrist (Dajjal), who is blind in one eye,
works miracles and has the word kafir (unbeliever)
written on his forehead.
• Sunnis and Shia agree on a future messiah who
will crush the Dajjal but they disagree on who it
is. Sunnis believe it be Jesus but Shia believe it be
“Mahdi.”
• The angel of death will then blow a
trumpet and all will die. At some time
later, Allah will bodily raise all the dead for
judgment. All will be judged according to
the Book of Deeds.
• All must cross the sirat (a bridge). Those
who cross enter The Garden but those
who fall off go to the “torment of fire.”
• The Garden is a place where one finds
whatever their hearts desire including
beautiful virgins.
• What about martyrdom? A male martyr
not only gets to go to heaven but gets 72
wives and may intercede for 70 relatives.

44. What is ISIS?
ISIS is a radical group of Sunnis with the political goal of uniting all Islamic territories as one nation.
They advocate the destruction of all Shia (which is why Iran opposes ISIS).
 ISIS was formed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in 2004 as
an Al Quada group with loyalty to Osama Bin
Laden. He was killed in 2006 and is now led by Abu
Bakr al-Baghdadi. ISIS is now an independent group
 They were not very successful in Iraq but they took
advantage of the Syrian civil war and grew from
there. They want to establish their own caliphate
uniting all Sunnis under Sharia law.
 They have also been successful because they have
seized oil fields and are making approximately $1
million a day smuggling oil.

45. In the end, Fritz Ridenour breaks
down the differences between
Christianity and Islam…
”Muslims believe there is no God but Allah; Christians believe God is revealed in Scripture as Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, three persons who are coeternally God (see Matt. 3:13-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).”

46. … ”Muslims believe that Jesus was only a man, a prophet below Muhammed in importance, who did
not die for man’s sins; Christians say Christ is the Son of God, the sinless Redeemer who died and
rose again for sinful man (see John 1:13, 14; 1 Peter 3:18).”
 ”Muslims claim that humans are born with hearts that are clean slates. If they commit sins, these
can be overcome by acts of the will; Christians counter that we are born corrupted by sin, spiritually
dead apart from God’s grace, and that no one does good apart from the faith (see Rom. 3:12, Eph.
5:8-10).”
 ”Muslims say that Allah does not love those who do wrong, and each person must earn his or her
own salvation; Christians contend that a loving God sent His son to die for our sins, according to
the inspired Word (see Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3,4).

47. Questi
ons?