Similarities and Differences Between Islam and Christianity
Understanding how and when religion was formed is essential to people who follow and practice it. Throughout history and even today, religion is seen as a sacred unit by many people. Christianity and Islam have got a large number of followers due to their successful missionary way of spreading their faith in the world. Over the years, Christians and Muslims have lived together in many parts of the world and this has made their history of interaction long and varied. Nevertheless, there are similarities and differences in Christianity and Islam in their faith.
Christianity is the world’s largest religion with the largest number of believers and it is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ the son of God. Anyone can be called Christian if he or she beliefs in Jesus. Islam is the second largest religion in the world and its followers are called Muslims. They believe in one God called Allah. In 2010 Christianity was at 31% while Islam was at 23% of the global population. However, recent analysis has shown that Islam might outnumber Christianity in the coming years.
By knowing the basic principles of Muslims and Christians, their similarities could help both religions relate well without discrimination. The first pillar of faith in Islam, one must declare his faith in God and should continue throughout his life. This should be noticed through their actions to show that they have changed from their old ways. This faith is amazingly similar to Christian belief whereby one has to declare Jesus as his savior. Declaration of faith is the most important thing in both religions.
Similarities and Differences Between Muslim and Christians
Both religions have a particular house of worship where the believers meet to pray and praise their God. Christians meet in churches while the Muslims meet in mosques and both don’t believe in the worship of idols like objects or images. They believe that there is one God and no one is like him in heaven and on earth.
Muslims believe that one can pray from any other place as long as the area is clean while Christians are allowed to pray from anywhere and at any given time. Muslims and Christians believe that prayer connects them with God and it is also a way of talking to God. Muslims pray direct to God without a mediator, while Christians pray to God through Jesus Christ. Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me” john 14:6.
Fasting is common to both Islamic and Christianity. Muslims have a month of fasting which lasts for 29 to 30 days called Ramadhan. They begin the day with a light meal and later in the evening they meet together as a family to close the fasting and this continues until the month is over. Fasting is done once a year by the Muslim religion. Biblically, fasting is done to bring people closer to God spiritually.It is abstaining from food or drinks and even both to communicate with God through prayers. Unlike the Muslims where fasting is done once a year, Christians fast any month or any time that any Christian would want to fast either as a team or as an individual.
Christians and Muslims believe in the act of giving. This is encouraged by both religions because it is a way of sharing what they have with the less fortunate. They both believe that blessings come from God and therefore sharing is Godly. Christians have a way of giving called tithing which is biblical which means that believers should take 10% of their income to the church. In Muslim, this giving is known as zakat, whereby after the deduction of expenses one should give out 2.5%.
Quite several biblical prophets in the old testament and new testament are recognized by the Muslim such as Mary and Jesus, David’s story, the story of Solomon, and Noah’s story. However, Muslims don’t believe in Jesus as the son of God they believe Jesus was a prophet and he is not divine in any way. They believe that Jesus did not have a human father and also believe in the miraculous pregnancy of Mary the mother of Jesus but just like Adam did not have a father, so Jesus is. Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God and this is a clear difference between the two religions. However, both preach the love of God and love for one another.
Both Christians and Muslims believe that human beings are called to respond to God in love and obedience and share the truth they have received about God with other people who do not know the truth. Unfortunately, many parts of the world that Muslims live have been affected by economic, political and social influences that has led to conflicts. Fundamental groups have caused violence in the name of Muslim. Christians and Muslims must appreciate their similarities more than differences and join hands to fight against abuse of religion, calling for peace and justice in the world.