Differences and Similarities between Christianity and Islam - Essay Example

Differences and Similarities between Christianity and Islam Comparing Christianity and Islam one can find not only similarities but also differences between these two religions. Despite the fact that the two religions believe in one God, each of them offers a different vision of religious matters. In some aspects, these representations are similar to each other, while in other aspects they differ. To understand the features of these two religions, one needs to consider their attitudes to such five issues as the nature and the main characteristics of God, the role of the great preachers (Jesus Christ and Mohammed), features of a righteous life, the possibility of rescue and life after death. In general, both religions demonstrate faith in the one God who is considered the supreme judge and life after death, while the main differences are associated with the practical part of these religions. Considering the nature of God, Christianity focuses on the concept of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit represent the concept of God. Christianity believes in one God, who is represented in these three forms. Jesus plays a particularly important role in understanding the nature of God. As the son of God, Jesus is an integral part of God. Christianity is based on the idea that God has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. Every Christian should live in accordance with the ten Christian commandments that forbid people to kill, lie, steal, etc. These laws are designed to help a person to live a life that is pleasing to God. In this respect, faith in Jesus Christ as their personal savior is a central element of Christianity. The theme of salvation presented in Christianity is inextricably linked with the idea of Jesus Christ and his role in the whole of humanity. According to the Christian view, Christ is the Messiah who came to save the world. Faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice is the central element of Christianity. A Christian is a person who believes in the death and resurrection of Christ who came into this world to save all humankind from sinfulness. In other words, Christianity is not conceivable without faith in Jesus Christ and His extremely important role for all of humanity. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the opportunity for eternal life after death. Through the figure of Jesus, the concept of death receives the original interpretation. Christianity does not accept death as an end, rather, death is seen as the beginning of a new life, while life on earth serves as a preparation for it (Houben, n.d.). The first humans (Adam and Eve) were created by God for eternity but they ate the forbidden fruit and became mortal. Man has lost the right to live an eternal life on earth and life after death therefore acquired a special meaning. According to Christian tradition, based on the words of Christ, the souls of the righteous are taken by angels to the limbo, where they remain until the Last Judgment, waiting for eternal bliss. The souls of sinners fall into the hands of demons and suffer in agony. The final separation of the saved and the condemned will happen at the Last Judgment, when God will raise all people and they will be divided into the righteous who will have access to eternal bliss, and sinners who will become eternal martyrs. Sinners who were not merciful will be condemned and rejected by God, while the righteous will be justified by God. In turn, Islam was founded in the seventh century C.E. by Muhammad. Muhammad claimed that the angel Gabriel had visited him and revealed the words of Allah to him. The holy book of Islam - the Qur'an - was written as a result of these revelations. Islam is based on the idea that the Qur'an is the perfect word of Allah and its final authority. The Qur'an is revered as a sacred scripture, which is able to give answers to important questions and open the way to God-pleasing life. Although the Qur'an is seen as the main holy book, the Sunnah plays no less important role in Islam. The followers of Muhammad wrote Sunnah. A key belief of Islam is that Allah is the only true God, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah. By taking these simple beliefs, a person can become a true Muslim. The word “Muslim” means “the one obeying Allah.” Islam calls itself the only true religion, from which Judaism, Christianity and other religions originated. Muslims base their lives on the following five pillars: 1. “Repetition of the creed,” according to which Allah is the only God and Muhammad is his prophet (Al-Lahim, 1995, p.8). 2. Prayer: five prayers a day. 3. Alms: it is necessary to give alms to the poor. 4. Fasting: besides the usual fasting, all Muslims should fast during Ramadan. 5. Hajj: At least once, a Muslim should make the pilgrimage to Mecca (during the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar). Ramadan has a special significance, since it is designed to help Muslims clear their mind and heart. Fasting is seen as a way to spiritual enlightenment. These five principles are considered as a basis for the life of any true Muslim. Entrance to paradise depends on people’s obedience to the five pillars of faith. Similar to Christianity, Islam is a monotheistic religion, but it ignores the concept of the Trinity. Islam takes some parts of the Bible, in particular, the Law and the Gospel, but it rejects most of them as blasphemous and uninspired. Islam argues the idea that Jesus was only a prophet, not the Son of God. Like other people, Jesus Christ had a mortal nature. Muslims reject the Christian belief that Jesus died on the cross, so they deny one of the central teachings of Christianity. Nevertheless, the idea of life after death plays an equally important role in Islam. Islam preaches faith in an afterlife. A true Muslim must always remember about the afterlife, making his/her life and actions meaningful. “The Qur’an teaches that “this worldly life is a preparation for eternal life after death.” (as sited in Houben, n.d.). What is human life? The human life is a brief moment during which people cannot receive a fair reward or punishment for their actions committed throughout their life. Quran notes the need for equitable reward for both bad and good people, since life on earth is a preparation for the afterlife. Everyone dies by the will of God. Anyone who was leading a righteous life dies quickly and quietly, while sinners are leaving this world in agony. Islam teaches that one should not be afraid of death. Those who believe in Allah and do righteous deeds should not be afraid of death since they will certainly gain eternal life. In Islam, there is a concept of sepulchral punishment, a small trial of the dead, which is performed immediately after death: “between death and the resurrection there is an intermediate phase, the life of the grave” (Lapidus, n.d., p. 150). In this respect, the grave is similar to the Christian purgatory, where it is determined whether the deceased should be punished or rewarded. If it is a reward, the grave becomes the prelude to the Garden of Eden, if the penalty - the limbo. If the deceased believed in Allah, but has some sins for which he/she was not punished in this life, he/she shall be punished in the grave. Then the soul is allowed to enter heaven. In the grave, the deceased is being questioned by two angels - Munkar and Nikar. They allow the righteous to enjoy peace until the Day of Resurrection, while they torture sinners and atheists. Finally, the day of judgment will be crucial for all the people. The Court of Allah is the highest and fair court, during which Allah will punish the wicked and give eternal bliss to the righteous. After the Court, the righteous will find eternal bliss in paradise. To sum up, the main similarities between Christianity and Islam are presented in the form of belief in one God, the ideas about personal salvation and life after death. In both religions, man is regarded as a mortal being who has the ability to receive eternal life after death if he or she believes in God as his or her savior. In turn, the main differences between these religions consist in the practical side of the issue. Christianity focuses on the Ten Commandments, which are designed to make human life pleasing to God. In turn, Islam urges all Muslims to observe the five basic principles. Adherence to these principles indicates the true faith in God. References Al-Lahim, S.H.M. (1995). The principles of Islam. Retrieved from http://www.sultan.org/books/principles-of-islam.pdf Houben, L.M. (n.d). Understanding the afterlife under a Christian perspective. Retrieved from http://www.ligiahouben.com/pdf/Understanding%20the%20Afterlife%20Under%20A%20Christian%20Perspective.pdf Lapidus, I.M. (n.d). The meaning of the death in Islam. New York University. Retrieved from http://www.nyu.edu/classes/gmoran/LAPIDUS.pdf Read More