Islam
and
Christianity
A comparison between
two worlds largest
religion
Introduction
Name of the religion Christianity Islam
Meaning Believer in Christ Submission to the will of
(a Greek word meaning God
Messiah) (Allah)
Name of a believer Christian Muslim
Discoverer/Founder Jesus Christ (pbuh) & The origins of Islam date
Paul back to the creation of
the world
Islam existed before
prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) was born
Worlds population 34% 22%
(in %)
Worldwide growth rate 2.3%/year. 2.9%/yr.
Stats: www.blurtit.com
Increasing rate Steady Increase of about
0.6%/yr.
Sub-divisons Roman Catholic, Eastern Shi a, Sunni
Orthodox, Anglican, (major division in the
Protestant, and others history of Islam)
Beliefs
Ultimate reality One creator One creatot
Nature of belief Most believe in the God (Allah) is one and
Trinity; three persons in indivisible. They believe
one Godhead: Father, in a strict monotheism.
Son and Holy Spirit "Allah" means God in
Arabic
Jesus Generally considered He is one of the prophets
the Son of God, of Islam
worshiped as God; part (Second-last prophet)
of the Trinity
Identity of "another Holy Spirit Muhammad (pbuh)
helper" or "comforter"
.
Status of Adam Disobeyed God in the A prophet
Garden of Eden.
Main holy book Bible Qur'an
Original languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek Arabic
Status of the holy book Conservatives: the God's word and final
inerrant Word of God. revelation, dictated by
Liberals: a historical angel Gabriel
spiritual document
Additional guidance: Writings of the leaders The Hadith -- sayings of
of the early Church. For prophet Muhammad
Roman Catholics: church (pbuh)
tradition
A baby's status at birth Various views. One is All babies are a born in
that a baby is born with a pure state of
a sin nature, separated submission to Allah.
from God. God needs to Taught other beliefs by
grant grace so that he their parents and their
may be saved culture as the mature
Life after death Either Heaven or Hell Heaven or Hell
Catholics believe in Depending upon once
Purgatory as a third act done in the world
state
Basis of determining There is no consensus in Once they reach
destination after death Christianity. puberty, his/her account
of deeds is opened in
Different faith group hold
diverse beliefs: trusting Paradise
Jesus as Lord and Savior,
good works, church Allah decides the
sacraments, baptism, destination
avoiding certain actions
Confessing sins Roman Catholic: to God To Allah
or Jesus, either directly And only him
Practices
Name of worship center Church, cathedral Mosque
Main worship day Friday
Sunday; Saturday for (Praying on other days
some are also compulsory)
Legislation Prerogative of the Prerogative of God
people
Use of statues Common in some Strictly forbidden.
denominations Considered a very
serious form of idolatry.
Religious leaders Priest, bishop, Imams
archbishop, patriarch,
pope, pastor, minister,
preacher, deacon
Main holy days Most Christians Al-Hijra (1
celebrate at least Muharram) ,Ashura(10
Christmas, Easter, and Muharram) ,Milad un
associated holy days. Nabi.
Lailat al Miraj(27 Rajab),
month of Ramadan,Eid
al-Fitr
Eid al-Adha
Forbidden marriage Inter-faith marriages A Muslim woman may
not be married (or
remained married) to a
non-Muslim man
Basis of calendar Gregorian solar Islamic lunar calendar. 1
calendar. 1 CE occurred AH occurred in 622 CE,
about four to seven the year of the Hegira
years after birth of when prophet
Jesus. Muhammad (pbuh)
traveled from Mecca to
Medina.
Head covered during Generally no yes
Special note:
This comparison is
made based on
my knowledge, so
anything which is
wrong is pure error
and
not with intention
Thank You
