ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY COMPARED
--A. Ralph Johnson
INTRODUCTORY NOTES:
-Highlighting and underlining of Koran
quotations supplied for emphasis by A.R.J.
-Number in brackets [# ] before Surahs is
order given.
-References to the Koran are to the Noble Quran[1]
The religion of Islam began with a young Arab
caravan leader named Muhammad who was born about 570 A.D. into the ruling
Koreish tribe in Mecca, a bustling city in Arabia on the caravan route near the
Red Sea. His father, Abdullah, died
before he was born and his mother died when he was six. He was then taken in by his grandfather,
Abdul Mutalleb. His grandfather died two
years later and he was reared by his paternal uncle, Abu Taleb. At age twenty-five he was employed by a
wealthy widow named Khadija who was so impressed that she married him. This gave him freedom to meditate and pursue
activities of his choosing.
The Arab tribes mostly believed in many gods, of
whom Allah was considered the greatest.
Mecca had a cubical structure called the Caaba, reputably built by
Abraham, over which the Koreish held guardianship, in which the tribes kept
many images and a black meteorite stone. In the area of Mecca, on his caravan
travels, and through members of his wife’s family, Muhammad became acquainted
with the teachings of Jews and Nestorian Christians who believed in one God and
rejected the Trinity. He drew heavily upon this experience in developing his
own religious perspective.
He spent much time in meditation in the wilderness
three miles from Mecca. In the year 610
A.D., when Muhammad was about 40 years old, he claimed that the angel, Gabriel,
appeared to him in a dream[2]
in a cave on Mount Hira. The angel
commanded him to “read,”[3]
telling him he was a prophet of God. Fearing this was from an evil spirit, in a
trembling and agitated state of mind, he returned to his wife, Khadija, and
told her what had taken place. She
consulted her cousin, Waraka bin Naufal, who assured Muhammad that he had
received a heavenly visit just as had come to Moses, and he was to be a prophet
of his people. He later received another
vision telling him to “rise and warn.”[4]
Thus, in 613 A.D. he began publicly preaching in Mecca that Allah was the only
true God.
As his following increased, opposition grew. His uncle died, under whom he had received
protection at Mecca.[5] His wife also died, and in September, 622
A.D. he fled on his famed Hegira, to Yathrib,
later called, “Medina,” where he and his followers were accepted.
While there, he raided camel caravans of the
Koroishites from Mecca. [6] On one raid the Koroishites learned of it and
sent a force of around 1,000 against him.[7] However, with some 300 Muhammad gave them a
resounding defeat. This was called, the
Battle of Badr,[8]
which greatly enhanced his acceptance as a prophet.
The following year (625 A.D.) the Meccans, in
retaliation, sent a force of around 3,000 against the Muslims in Medina. They inflicted a serious defeat at the battle
of Uhud,[9]
in which Muhammad was wounded and many of his men slain. Muhammad scarcely
escaped with his life.[10]
Two years later, in 627 A.D., the Koroishites
mounted a full-scale attack on Medina with 10,000 troops. Muhammad had them dig a deep trench so as to
render the assault with horsemen ineffective.
After besieging the city for several weeks the Meccans finally gave up
and went home.
During the struggle, some of the Jews in
the city had sought to negotiate with the Meccans. When Muhammad learned of this he slaughtered
600 of them and enslaved their women and children.[11]
In 630 A.D. Muhammad returned to Mecca
with a large force and it submitted. He
removed the idols in the Kaaba, and made it the center of Muslim worship. The black stone, however, was retained and
remains to this day an object of veneration.
From that time, Muhammad sent armies to
forcibly subjugate and incorporate the surrounding nations into Islam. He died in 632 A.D..
After Muhammad’s death his successors
pursued the Saracen conquests, spreading the Muslim religion throughout Arabia,
Persia and on to India and China to the east.
To the west it advanced through Palestine, Egypt, across North Africa,
up through Spain and across the Pyrenees Mountains into France, where it was
finally halted by Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732 A.D.. From
Syria, Muslim forces also slowly pushed their way through Asia Minor. They were resisted for centuries by the
Eastern Roman Byzantine Empire whose capital was Constantinople, situated on a
peninsula that overlooked the Bosphorus and Dardanell Straits, the waterway
between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
Islam was eventually embraced by the Seljek
Turks. In 1057 Togrul was commissioned
by the Caliph at Baghdad as temporal lieutenant of the vicar of the prophet[12]
and they expanded their control over most of the Saracen Empire. In 1258 the Mongols conquered Baghdad and
were soon absorbed into Islam. Finally, the Ottoman Turks rose to power and
swept across the Bosphorus into Europe and conquered Greece. Constantinople fell in 1453 and was renamed
Istanbul. Islam reached its zenith under Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent who
died in 1566 after which it began to decline.
In 1492 they were driven from power in Spain. In the East, the conquest rolled on up to the
doors of Hungary and Austria, where it was finally checked in the late sixteen
hundreds. Expansion and colonization by
England, Russia and France (especially Napoleon over Egypt), during the 17th
--19th centuries, and fragmentation within, began to break up the
empire. During World War I, it became
allied with Germany, and following its defeat fell mostly under English and
French domination in 1924.
Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with Christianity being almost twice as large. It’s empire remains as a widespread group of volatile autocratic nations warring within and against each other and especially against non-Muslims. While at times over the centuries, Islam has been relatively tolerant, its policies of restriction, taxation and humiliation[13] have generally suppressed Christianity in lands under Muslim control.
Today Islam is mostly divided into two sects,
Sunnites (more liberal and comprising about 80% of Muslims), and Shiites
(generally more conservative (about 10%, primarily centered in Iran). There are
also many smaller sects and sub-sects.
Sunnites accept Abu Bakr (632-634) and Uthman (644-656) as caliphs (“successors”) following the death of
Muhammad. Shiites believe that Ali
(656-661), fourth caliph and son-in-law of Muhammad, was the rightful
heir. Ali was assassinated in 661 AD, by
Muawiyah, the founder of the Umayyad Dynasty, who took his place as Caliph.
This fired up the schism between the Sunnites and the Shiites that continues to
this day.
Islam’s
holy book is the Koran, containing 114 Surahs, or chapters, (About 10,000 words
smaller than the New Testament) written in poetic style, claimed to be the
words of God, given to Muhammad in visions.
These are not in chronological order and there are two different
numbering systems for the verses, which sometimes creates confusion in locating
citations. Longer Surah’s tend to be closer to the beginning.
Muhammad,
is called “the prophet who can neither
read nor write.”[14]
Thus, according to this claim, he wrote nothing. His followers memorized his teachings or
recorded them on various types of materials.
Muhammad died in 632 A.D. and for a while these records were somewhat
disorganized. During the battles
following the death of Muhammad, after some of those who memorized portions of
the Koran had been killed (Battle of Yamama), concern arose that the teachings
would be lost. During the caliphates of
Abu Bakr and Uthman (644-656 A.D.), the records were collected and integrated
into one book. Other versions of the
Koran, along with the source materials, were then ordered destroyed.[15]
To interpret the Koran and to find guidance in their
daily lives, Muslims also follow the practices and traditions (Sunnah) of the
Prophet which include his sayings (Hadith).
(See at the end of this study.)
Muslims
represent Islam as based on five pillars:
ISLAMIC LAW
Muslims also hold to a body of religious law,
developed early in Islamic history, called al-Shari'ah. This code is considered
to be the embodiment of the complete will of God and it governs all areas of Muslim
lives-- social, economic, political, moral, and spiritual. In
Islamic law, there is no distinction between secular and religious. Muslims are expected to work to establish
this as the law of any nation in which they gain dominance--and indeed, throughout
the whole world.
Surah
8:73. [#88] And those who disbelieve are allies
to one another, (and) if you (Muslims of the whole world collectively) do not do so (i.e.
become allies, as one united block with one Khalifah - chief Muslim ruler for
the whole Muslim world to make victorious Allâh's Religion of Islâmic
Monotheism), there will be Fitnah (wars, battles, polytheism, etc.)
and oppression on earth, and a great mischief and corruption (appearance of
polytheism).[]
Historically, in nations that have come under
Islamic law, Christians have been required to pay an oppressive tax (Jizya—protection money) and have been severely restricted in the
practice of their religion. The
alternatives have been paying the tax, conversion, or the sword.
Surah 9:29 [#113] Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by
Allâh and His Messenger (4) and
those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews
and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission,
and feel themselves subdued.
Islam recognizes no other religions.
Surah 3:85 [#89] If anyone
desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to
Allah), Never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in
the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the hell fire).
Surah 98:6. [#100] Verily, those who
disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur'ân and
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) from among the people of
the Scripture (Jews
and Christians) and Al-Mushrikűn will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.
LEGAL
ORDINANCES IMPOSED ON CHRISTIANS UNDER ISLAMIC LAW:
In general, Christians are not permitted to do anything that might influence Muslims religiously.
-They are not allowed to teach, broadcast or invite Muslims to listen
to their beliefs.
-They are not allowed to pray or read their sacred books out loud,
where they may be heard by Muslims.
-They
are not allowed to publish religious books or periodicals for sale to the
public.
-They
are not allowed to publicly display Christian emblems.
-They are not allowed to build new churches, and often are highly restricted in making repairs to old ones. Making the problem worse, Muslims have often been allowed to demolish non-Muslim houses of worship.
-In many Muslim controlled areas Christians have been given no protection, humiliated, discriminated against in the courts, their possessions seized or destroyed, subjected to violence, and even killed.
Criticism
of Islam, especially after taking the oath of a believer, is prohibited upon
pain of death.
Surah 9:12. [#113] But if they violate their oaths after their
covenant, and attack your religion with disapproval and criticism then
fight (you) the leaders of disbelief (chiefs of Quraish - pagans of Makkah) - for surely their oaths are nothing to
them - so that they may stop (evil actions).
Along with many other rules,
Muslims are bound to a code regulating food and cleanliness. This excludes certain kinds of food such as
dead animals not ritually slaughtered, animals sacrificed in a name other than
God, swine, carnivorous animals and blood. (Surah 5:3; 16:115). Intoxicants, such as alcoholic drinks and
drugs are prohibited (Surah 2:219; 5:90-91). Gambling and Usury are prohibited:
(Surah 2:275). It also requires various
washings and separations from participation in religious activities during
menstrual cycles etc.
General information:
Friday is the Muslim day of special weekly observance. (Surah 62:9)
Buildings for religious meeting and activities are
called “Mosques.”
Ministers who lead the Mosques are called “Imams.”
Religious scholars are called, “Mullahs.”
FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY
INTRODUCTORY NOTES:
The Koran
calls Christians and Jews “people of the
Book” (5:68; 29:46-47).
Surah
5:68. [#112] Say
(O Muhammad SAW) "O people of the Scripture
(Jews and Christians)! You have
nothing (as regards guidance) till
you act according to the Taurât (Torah),
the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to you from your Lord (the
Qur'ân)." Verily, that which has
been sent down to you (Muhammad SAW) from your Lord
increases in many of them their obstinate rebellion and disbelief. So be
not sorrowful over the people who disbelieve.
As “people of the Book,” we rely on what the Book says (Mark 14:49; John 10:35; 2Timothy 3:16-17; 2Peter 1:20). Thus, in this discussion, we compare the teachings of Islam with those of the “Book.”[16]
We are told
that Muslims believe in Moses and Jesus.
Surah
3:84 [#89] Say (O Muhammad SAW): "We believe in Allâh and in what has been sent down to us, and
what was sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham),
Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qűb (Jacob) and Al-Asbât [the
twelve sons of Ya'qűb (Jacob)] and what
was given to Műsa (Moses),
'Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no
distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allâh) we have submitted (in
Islâm)." [Noble Quran]
Actually, the Muslim view of Moses and Jesus greatly differs from the “Book” of Jews and Christians. While Muslims profess to accept the writings of Moses, the Psalms, and the Gospels, (Surah 21:105) in fact they consider even these to be corrupted and unreliable.
Surah
3:78. [#89] There is among them a section who distort
the Book with their
tongues: (As they read) you would
think it is a part of the Book,
but it is no part of the Book; and they say, "That is from Allah," but it is not
from Allah. It is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it!
Surah 5:15. [#112] O people of the Scripture (Jews and
Christians)! Now has come to you Our
Messenger (Muhammad SAW) explaining to you
much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and
passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much. Indeed, there has come to you
from Allâh a light (Prophet Muhammad SAW) and a plain Book (this
Qur'ân). (See also Surah 5:14 -ARJ)
Muslims only accept what agrees with the Koran and Muslim teachings. They cite the Bible as authority only insofar as they think it supports their beliefs. Their argument is that the Bible cannot be relied upon since we do not have the original manuscripts.
However, neither do they have the original manuscripts of the Koran.
http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Text/index.html
There are many differences between Christianity
and Islam but two key issues place them poles apart—
A.
Who Jesus
is.
B.
What Jesus
did.
A. WHO JESUS IS:
Islam teaches that Jesus was a
great prophet, just one of many.*
*See list of prophets in the Koran at the end of this study.
Surah 5:75. [#112] The Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger;
many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam
(Mary)] was a Siddiqah [i.e. she
believed in the words of Allâh and His Books (see Verse 66:12)]. They both used to eat food (as any
other human being, while Allâh does not eat). Look how We make the Ayât
(proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them, yet look how they are
deluded away (from the truth).
Surah
4:171: [#92] O
people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but
the truth. The Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus),
son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allâh and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rűh) created by
Him; so believe in Allâh and His Messengers. Say not: "Three
(trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allâh is (the only) One Ilâh (God), Glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all
that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allâh is AllSufficient
as a Disposer of affairs.
The “Book”
(Greek: “Biblos”> English: “Bible”) teaches that Jesus is “God” (John 1:1; Isaiah 9:6; John 20:28;
Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:6-8). He existed in the beginning as the “Word” (John 1:1). Through him all things were created (John 1:3;
Col. 1:16; Hebrews 1:10). He was in the
form of God, but emptied himself
(Philippians 2:6-7), and was made flesh (John
1:14). He was the fullness of the “Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). He came as the Messiah (Greek: “Christ”—anointed
one) prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures.
Note: The Koran agrees that Jesus was born of a virgin
Surah
21:91. [73] And (remember) she who guarded her
chastity [Virgin Maryam (Mary)], We breathed into (the sleeves of) her
(shirt or garment) [through Our Rűh Jibrael (Gabriel)][],
and We made her and her son ['Iesa (Jesus)] a sign for Al-'Alamin (the
mankind and jinns).
Sura
3:47. [89] She said: "O my Lord! How shall I
have a son when no man has touched me." He said: "So (it will be) for Allâh creates what
He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: "Be!"
and it is.
For further evidence that Jesus is part of the one triune Godhead, see the article WHO IS JESUS—GOD OR “A GOD”? by A. Ralph Johnson
http://preacherstudy.com/free.htm
B. WHAT JESUS DID:
The “Book” of Christians contends that Jesus was crucified on the cross for the sins of the whole world, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father until all things are subdued under his feet. (1Cor 15:1-26)
Muslims deny that Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead, or that his death takes away sin.
Muslim apologists commonly deny that in John,
chapter 1, Jesus was “the Word.”
We would note here that
while the Koran denies that Jesus is God, it does call Jesus “the Word.”
Surah 3:39. [#89] Then the angels called him, while he was
standing in prayer in Al-Mihrâb (a praying place or a private room), (saying): "Allâh gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John),
confirming (believing in) the Word from Allâh [i.e.
the creation of 'Iesa (Jesus) >>, the
Word from Allâh ("Be!"
- and he was!)], noble, keeping away from
sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous."
Surah 3:45. [#89] (Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allâh gives you the glad tidings of a Word ["Be!" - and he was! i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)]
from Him, his name will be the Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary),
held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who
are near to Allâh."
Surah 4:171. [#92] O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)!
Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but the
truth. The Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus),
son of Maryam (Mary), was (no
more than) a Messenger of Allâh and His Word,
("Be!" - and he was) which
He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a
spirit (Rűh) created
by Him;…”
What does the “Book”
say?
John 1:1 In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Muslim apologists contend that in John 1, the “Word” simply meant the command of God.
Akbarally Meherally[17]
reads John
1:1 as,
“In the
beginning was the spoken word, command and the
'spoken word, command' was with God, and the 'spoken word, command'
was Divine.”
However, the passage does not say “the Word was Divine.” It says, “the Word was GOD”
John 1:2 The same
was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and
without him was not any thing made that was made.
Muslims claim this only indicates that by God’s command all things were created.
John
1:4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Here again they read it “Through him [the command
of God] was life.”
John 1:10 provides a serious difficulty for this
view.
“He was in the world and the world was made by him.”
John 1:14 is especially troubling for the Muslim view:
“And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
John 1:15 clearly shows that Jesus existed before John
was born.
“John bare witness of him, and cried, saying,
This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for
he was before me.”
This is reiterated in John
1:30.
“This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred
before me: for he was before me.”
John 3:13. And no man hath ascended up
to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man
which is in heaven.
John
3:17. For God sent
not the Son into the world to judge the world; but
that the world should be saved through him
John 6:62. What and if ye shall see the Son of
man ascend up where he was before?
John 8:58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before
Abraham was born, I am. (ASV)
John 17:5. And now, Father, glorify
thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before
the world was.
Philippians 2:6. who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something
to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,
being made in the likeness of men;
Colossians 1:16. For by him were all
things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:
all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is
before all things, and by him all things consist.
Hebrews 1:2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Hebrews 1:6. And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into
the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Hebrews 1:10. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the
earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (Spoken to “the son” verse 8. Compare Psalms 102:25-28)
Revelation 1:8 I am
Alpha and Omega, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is
to come, the Almighty.
Rev. 1:17. And when I saw
him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto
me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Rev. 22:12. Behold, I
come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his
work is. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end.
22:16 “I Jesus”....
Isaiah 48:12. Hearken unto me, O Jacob
and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
13 Mine hand also hath laid the
foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens:
when I call unto them, they stand up together....
16 Come ye near unto me,
hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the
time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath
sent me.
Surah 9:30 [#113] And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allâh, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of
Allâh. That is a saying from
their mouths. They imitate the saying
of the disbelievers of old. Allâh's Curse be on them, how they
are deluded away from the truth!
[see also: 19:35, 37, 88, 91, 92]
What does the “Book”
say?
1. The Gospels (Injeel) many times call Jesus the son of God
Luke 1:35. And the angel [Gabriel—Luke 1:26] answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the son of God.
Mark 1:1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ,
the son of
God.
John 1:34. And I have seen, and have borne witness that
this is the son of God.
The identification of Jesus as the son of God, and
the king of Israel comes from Psalms 6:6.
“Yet I have set my KING Upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will tell of the
decree: Jehovah said unto me, thou
art my son; This day have I begotten thee….
11 Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye
perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they
that take refuge in him. (cf. Acts 13:33; Heb.1:5)
John
3:17. For God sent not
the son into the world to judge the world; but that the world
should be saved through him. 18 He that believeth on him is not judged: he that
believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the
name of the only begotten son of God.
John 5:25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead s