Jesus and Mohammad - Assignment Example

Jesus and Mohammad If a believer who happens to momentarily step out of his belief and accepts a world view in a more objective manner, he might as well put into new discernment how to distinguish appropriately the significant differences or similarities between Jesus and Muhammad. Trace the lives of Jesus and Mohammad historically. According to the Holy Scripture, it was through Father God’s plan of salvation that Jesus Christ, whose divine nature had to walk the earth, be born biologically of an ordinary woman. So God’s word, as stated in the Bible, was made flesh to dwell amongst mankind and Mary, claimed to have blamelessly conceived the messiah, took such priceless role on fulfilling the prophecy. God’s message of this new covenant was delivered by archangel Gabriel who informed the mother of Christ that the Father was pleased with her purity, thus, of all women it was she who ought to bear the very delicate task that would later bring a saving act to redeem sinful men from all trespasses. The plan included Joseph the Carpenter to stand by Mary in crucial times of childbirth which eventfully took place on a specially humble livestock trough in Bethlehem. Together, the couple reared the infant child to youth assuming he was all their own then came an instant when Jesus had to travel with his parents to Jerusalem for Passover and go on a separate way to realize his union with the spiritual Father about whom he sought wisdom through the church elders and rabbis. Muhammad, on the other hand, was brought to existence in an influential setting by parents who were wealthy merchants in Mecca. Being orphan at six, a Bedouin nurse took custody of Muhammad until he learned to live among the nomads and caravans. His experience with Arabian trade across the desert in and out of Mecca earned the respect of Khadija, a widow businesswoman with whom Muhammad acquired prosperity as a merchant upon marriage. While engaged with his fruitful affairs with several traders, there came upon moments of self-doubt and yearning spiritual enlightenment for the inner being. As a consequence, he committed to a life filled with prayers and meditation and on Mt. Hira, it was believed that Muhammad, at the most solemn depth of interaction with the Supreme Being, was strangled by the archangel Gabriel in a holy encounter which he described to have come flashing with brilliant, blinding light as if one capable of impressing a mixture of dread and awe. He confessed that the vision commenced with him an authority to repent and spread the word of one God throughout the nation. This marked the turning point in history on which the two biggest known religions raised controversies upon each other despite certain parallels. On one side, Christianity possessed the conviction that Jesus is the savior, an author of Christian faith which once established, serves as the way of the lost souls back to God of whom their image and likeness have been made and is constantly waiting for every man to repent for transgressions that primarily separated man from God. Biblical accounts had foretold the coming of the messiah in the character of Jesus during the Old Testament when prophets helped convey it figuratively. Clearly, this shows that Jesus, being the son of God to save the world, is far above all of God’s creation, even prophets who had been revered as largely sanctified. In Islam, however, Muhammad adhered to the existence of one God who, based on his teachings much similar to Christian faith, is almighty and abounds in mercy and grace yet only gave acknowledgment to Jesus as one of the prophets, whose sole function is equivalent to that of Abraham or Moses. Such belief reached another point of divergence when Muhammad called his god ‘Allah’ as opposed to the identifications considered under Christian doctrine. Moreover, though the same angel appeared in each scenario, Gabriel acted merely as God’s messenger for Mary whereas presenting himself more personally to take charge on renewing Muhammad’s way of worldly life rather places him at a rank equating the level of Christ. The archangel was argued to have enabled Muhammad recite the first words of the Qu’ran to annex a sacred trip which, to this day, is called Ramadan. The Holy Bible, on the contrary, based on early manuscripts and enthusiastic theologians, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to be written under collaborative efforts of the disciples of Jesus who, besides continuous evangelization or preaching of the good news of salvation and love, were also responsible for documenting the teachings in deeds, miracles and parables of Jesus Christ they themselves witnessed while with the Son of Man. Jesus never married whereas Muhammad had a wife to support him all along being determine to proceed with the predisposition to encourage willful submission of many to Islam. Nevertheless, both had suffered a great deal of persecution in the hands of non-believers who felt threatened to be ruled out of politically driven power as their followers increased in great numbers. Compare what impact the death of each person had on his respective religion. After their respective deaths, Christian and Muslim descendants have since carried on the traditions. Muslim followers in particular, agreed to go on using Qu’ran to be their standard, along with the anti-Jewish code of behavior which permits polygamy and certain acts that reflect Muhammad’s renunciation of the dietary laws of the Jews (Bard, 2005). His intervention to fix the social and political issues among the people of Yathrib as well as his aid to establish the Constitution for the city when Muhammad was still alive had for some reason effected the Muslims of today with courage to confront peace negotiations within local regions and neighboring territories. Christ’s resurrection after dying on the cross achieved a more sensational recognition. Because Jesus himself rose from the dead, the truth behind the prophecy was given justice and all the more that the disciples deserved to perceive hope regarding the promised eternity for those who would decide to remain steadfast in faith. The Catholics specifically commemorate the momentous event through the sacrament of Eucharist in which bread is consecrated to represent the body of Christ and whoever takes it must ask for forgiveness to restore any broken fellowships due to human weakness or shortfall. To this point, the habit of diligently praying to the most High, preaching the gospel, doing charitable acts, keeping the Ten Commandments, as well as the customary practices of abstinence and fasting still hold, knowing that these are patterned after the works of Jesus himself as the way to the Father. Describe the ways each individual was or is worshipped. In modern times, temple-like structures have been built for worshippers to perform ceremonies and rituals with which to manifest the enduring practice of either religion. As such, Muslims erected mosques to be their places of worship, holding certain regulated traditions to express deep respect which they believe Muhammad deserves. To show further reverence in their form of worship, Muslims still visit high places for contemplation and made unique offerings during Ramadan celebration and holy pilgrimage to Mecca. Similarly, Catholic followers profess their faith in Jesus and magnify religious preference by forming orders and parishes or local church units with Pope as the overall head. They have even considered making imageries and symbols characterizing Jesus and other significant biblical figures believing that it enhances worship and devotion toward the Lord. The rites of the Holy Mass are in proper sequence and colorful celebrations unique for each saint who were profoundly dedicated to sacrifice as Christ did are held in esteem along with different prayer types and songs to signify worship of higher form. Explain how their messages are being carried out in the world today. Muhammad’s religious influence is one that draws much political and economic perspective rather than spiritual. The original message being delivered appears to be exclusive within the Muslim culture and since Muhammad had fostered an environment of order in his time, the followers acquire the same principle as to direct life with the combined realization of materialism and spirituality reconciled under the context of political setting. The creation of several denominations with roots or semblance with Judaism and Christianity has made possible different versions of the Holy Bible though the central theme on Jesus and his ministry has been preserved. Besides churches and religious orders that summon people to attend sermons and biblical readings, the lessons Jesus taught also manage to spread through missionaries of the church and non-government organizations through a wide variety of evangelistic approach of reaching out to pagan communities and those with seemingly high rates of poverty and atrocity. Reference Bard, Mitchell. (2005). Muhammad. 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