World Religions: Judaism vs. Islam - Article Example

Judaism and Islam Judaism and Islam both have the same forefather, Abraham. Ishmael was Abrahams first born son by his wife Sarahs, concubine. Ishmael is thought to be the founder of the Arabic race. Islam considers Abraham the first Muslim. Jews are also the descendants of Abraham, but through Sarah and Abrahams son, Isaac. This is the reason both religions are Abrahamic religions. Both religions share more than Abraham as their forefather. The belief in prophets, one monotheistic God, and Kosher food are just a few of the similarities. Despite these similarities, these two religions hold animosity against each other. This has left the Jewish state, Israel, a lone country surrounded by hostile Islamic countries. Prophets are important to both Jews and Muslims. The prophets differ from Judaism to Islam, but some are the same. Both religions consider Abraham as a prophet. In fact, Islam accepts the Torah as true. Although, Islam considers Mohammed as the supreme prophet. Jews do not consider Mohammed as a prophet. Mohammed was inspired to write the Quran after an angel visited him. Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet, even mentioning him in the Quran. Since Jesus was turned over to the Jews for crucifixion, Muslims read in the Quran that Jews are prophet killers (Gabriel, 22). Muhammad respected Christianity, incorporating aspects into the newly founded Islamic religion. Other common prophets are Moses, David, and Solomon among others. Like the Jews, Muhammad preached that there was only one God, named Allah. Muslims believe in five tenets. The first is daily ritualistic prayer towards Mecca. Secondly, to confess that Allah is the only God and Muhammad is his prophet (Armstrong, 148). Thirdly, to make a pilgrimage to the Holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Fourthly, to give alms to the poor. Finally, fasting during the Holy month Ramadan. These are called the five pillars of Islam. Jews believe in one God, but do not recognize Muhammad as a prophet, nor Jesus. Jews believe that they are a chosen people. A Messiah will come to rescue the Jewish nation according to Judaism. Some Jews, along with the Gentiles, believed Jesus was the Messiah, which created Christianity. The Jews are still waiting for the Messiah. In the mean time, Jews believe in the law handed down by Moses. If they obey the law, then God will show them mercy. Judaism and Islam both have some of the same laws. Pork is forbidden to eat by both faiths. Foods sacrificed or consecrated to other deities are forbidden by both religions. Islam does make an exception with Kosher foods, because of its roots in Judaism. It is also important to note that if a person is starving to death, these laws do not apply. Human life must be sustained no matter what, if possible. However, if there are acceptable foods, unacceptable foods are avoided by both Jew and Muslim. The history of Judaism and Islam are intertwined. These Abrahamic religions began in the Middle East. Both religions are steeped in Semitic races of the Middle East. Judaism was around first. The Prophet Muhammad did not live until 600 AD (Yeor, 43). So Islam came after Christianity as well as Judaism. When Muhammad begin preaching the things revealed to him by an angel, he assumed that since Judaism was similar, Jews would be easily converted. He was wrong. When Muhammad realized his mistake, he react with rage that still exist to this day. In 622 AD, Muhammad went to Medina to convert Jews (Yeor, 44). When the Medina Jews declined the new religion, basically rejecting Muhammad and his revelation, two tribes of Jews were expelled from Medina (Yeor, 44). Some Jews stayed in Medina with fatal consequences. In 627 AD, the new Muslim recruits massacred between six and nine hundred men, dividing the surviving women and children amongst themselves (Yeor, 44). Muhammad could not understand why the Jews did not believe his revelation. The question becomes why do these two similar religions have so much animosity toward each other. The beginning of the problem is telling. Muhammad could not understand a religion, so like his own, would reject him. Basically the Jews that did not convert were calling Muhammads revelation a fiction created by Muhammad. This could have been taken by Muhammad in two ways: 1) The Jews were calling him a liar. 2) The Jews thought he was delusional. Either way, Muhammad must have been deeply offended. Muhammad believed his revelation. Muhammad probably thought the only logical explanation for the Jews rejecting Islam, was that God had decided to forsake the Jews. When Muhammad wrote the Quran, his revulsion for Jews was clear. For example, one verse in the Quran states: They [the Children of Israel] were consigned to humiliation and wretchedness. They brought the wrath of God upon themselves, and this because they used to deny Gods signs and kill His Prophets unjustly and because they disobeyed and were transgressors" (Sura 2:61). The Quran teaches that the Jews are not just bad, but disrespectful to Allah. This creates a hatred that divides these two religions. The Arabs of the Middle East controlled, along with England, the area of Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and other Persian Gulf states. England controlled Palestine until the end of WWII. After WWII, the British allowed the Jews to create the new state of Israel in what was Palestine. Since then the violence and conflict has been non stop. There have been several wars between Israel and its neighbours. The Six Day war occurred in 1967. When Syria, Egypt, and Jordan built up forces along the border, Israel decided to strike first. This resulted in territory gains of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. The small state of Israel had beat the great Muslim armies of the Middle East. The Muslims wanted to destroy Israel for denying what they consider the true religion. Today, Egypt and Jordan recognize Israel. The rest of the Muslim countries do not acknowledge Israel. In fact, the Arabic countries call for the total annihilation of the Israel state. It is common for Muslim leaders to denounce Israel as evil. Jews are fair game for Muslim extremist. Other than war, Muslim extremist have targeted Jews all over the world. On example is the taking of an El Al airplane. This flight was diverted to Entebbe, Uganda. The Palestinian terrorists separated the Jews from everyone else. They kept the Jews for ransom of Palestinian prisoners. Everyone else got to go home. Israeli commandos saved almost all of the hostages, losing only one soldier. The Palestinians targeted the plane because of Jews. Islamic extremists do not only target Jews, but anyone that sides with Jews. An example is of Egypts Anwar Sadat. When Egypts president, Anwar Sadat, acknowledged Israel, by visiting the Jewish state, the backlash was fierce. An Islamic extremist, who later joined Osama bin Ladens network after being released from an Egyptian jail, killed President Sadat. The plot to kill Sadat was created because of the hatred toward the Jews. Jews can turn their hatred toward Muslims too. A Jew entered a Mosque and killed dozens of people in Jerusalem a few years ago. Israeli settlers tear down plants belonging to Palestinians. An Israeli extremist killed Israeli Prime Minister Rabin because of concessions Rabin made with Palestinian leader Arafat. The root of the problem between Jews and Muslims is an issue that confounds Americans. The cause is intolerance for each others religion. In America, freedom of religion is taken for granted. However, Jews and Muslims believe their religion is the only religion. Not only do Muslims believe in their religion, but the need to convert or destroy other religions is part of their beliefs. Judaism does not want to convert or destroy other religions, but believe they are the only ones going to heaven. Jews do not want to mix or become tolerant of other religions. Judaism and Islam share many common bonds. The similarities include the belief in a monotheistic God, prophets, and food restrictions. However, due to the Jews rejection of Islam during the time of Muhammad, Jews and Muslims fight to this day. The only way to end the conflict between Judaism and Islam is for religious tolerance to be taught in both communities. References Armstrong, Karen. A History of God: The 4000 year quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. USA: Gramercy, 2004. Gabriel, Mark A. Ph.D. Islam and Jews: The Unfinished Battle. USA: Charisma, 2003. The Quran. Yeor, Bat. The Dhimmi. NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1985, pp. 43-44. Read More