Islam and Christianity Muslims Practice

¶ … Islam and Christianity

Muslims practice the religion of Islam, a monotheistic belief that is based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, the final Islamic prophet. In Islam, there is only one true God, Allah, and followers of this religion observe the commandments of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. There are significant differences between the teachings of Muhammad and the notion of who Allah is. Is it noted that the Arabic word "Islam' means the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true God worthy of worship Allaah; and anyone who does so is termed a 'Muslim'. The word also implies 'peace' which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allaah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad, in Arabia in the 7th century CE, but it is the true religion of Allaah re-expressed in its final form" (IslamWeb.net). This understanding is critical to the foundation of Islamic tradition.

No one prays to Muhammad; he was important, however. According to Southern California University, Muhammad ibnu Abdillah was born in Mecca in the year 569 CE and was a trader "known by his people as al-amin (the trustworthy one)" (SCU.edu). At the age of 40, the angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad "with revelations that established his prophet hood" (SCU.edu). Muhammad taught his family about Islam and over the next 20 years, he taught everyone about Allah and lived as an example. Alain Besancon notes, "Muslims also hold that they received a revelation... not as part of a historical narrative but as the transmission of an eternally preexisting text... He does nothing but receive texts, which he repeats as if under dictation" (Besancon). In short, Muhammad is not adding anything to the text that was not already there. We can say that Muhammad is like a holy messenger from Allah.

Islam is a religion of many practices but those practices should not come before worship. For Muslims, Islam means "the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person, place or thing other than Allah" (IslamWorld.net). Once this is understood, it must be known that practices do play a significant role in the Muslim's life. The Five Pillars of Islam are an example of these types of practices that Muslims are expected to observe. The Five Pillars of Islam are confessing faith daily, daily prayer, paying alms, fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca. These five pillars are considered to be "anchoring points in the Muslim community and designated "pillars." Fulfillment of the Five Pillars is believed to bring rewards both in this life and in the afterlife" (ReligionFacts.com). Daily confession is believed to be one of the most defining characteristics of a Muslim. Those who wish to become Muslim must confess this before two other Muslims. Prayer is to be practiced five times a day and those in prayer always direct themselves toward the shrine in Mecca. While prayer can be done alone, it "carries special merit when done with other Muslims" (ReligiousFacts.com). The prayer begins with the person standing and it moves through "several simple postures until the supplicant is kneeling" (ReligiousFacts.com). Fasting is significant because it represents the time when the Qur'an was revealed to man. This time of year is known as Ramadan and Muslims are expected to not eat or drink during daylight hours from approximately the first of October until the end of November. The giving of alms is considered to be a primary act as the Qur'an requires it of every Muslim. The pilgrimage to Mecca is something that every Muslim is expected to do at least once in their life. The journey is called a hajj and for it to meet the requirements of the Qur'an, the journey must be made during the last month of the Islamic year.

Islam has some similar beliefs and practices to Christianity. Susan Douglass points out some similarities between Islam and Christianity, noting, "Islam is a religion of belief in one God, like Judaism and Christianity" (Douglass). In addition, each of these religions "teaches that God sent prophets to teach people how to live a good life. Holy books contain the prophets' teachings" (Douglass). Islam has the Qur'an and Christians have the Bible. Douglass points out that both texts teach about "Adam, and that Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others" (Douglass). Christians also believe in prayer, fasting, and alms - just not in the same way that Muslims do. Christians pray whenever they like and while the Bible teaches that believers should tithe 10% of their earnings, it is not a strict recommendation. Christians can also fast but it not required of them to do so at any particular time of year. Both religions warn against false prophets and worshipping the creation as opposed to the creator. Both religions believe in angelic beings and both religions believe in some type of day of judgment. Furthermore, both religions adopt a version of hell and heaven in the afterlife.

Christianity and Islam share many difference as well. While Muslims believe in one true God, Christians believe in a trinity comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. For Muslims, Jesus was just a prophet sent by God just like Abraham and Moses. Muslims believe that prophets lived sinless lives while Christians believe only Jesus is to be pure and holy. Islam does not teach that Jesus was crucified or killed by the Jews but taken up to God. As a result, Muslims do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Judgment occurs at different times, however. Muslims believe that it occurs simultaneously when God declares the end of the world while Christians generally believe that judgment occurs upon death. Muslims do not accept atonement on any level while Christians everywhere accept the fact that Jesus died for them. Diet is more important to Muslims as they do not eat swine and do not consume alcohol at all. Christians, on the other hand, do eat swine and they are allowed to consume alcohol as long as they do so in moderation. The holy word is also something upon which both religions do not share similar opinions. Muslims believe the Qur'an exists today as it existed when it was revealed to Muhammad. Christians believe that the Bible is inspired by God and there are many translations of the Bible in existence today.