Main Teachings of Islam: (Mukhya Shikshayein)

Islam, which literally means “submission,” (samarpan) was founded on the teachings of the Prophet
Muhammad as an expression of surrender to the will of Allah. The Qur’an, the sacred text of Islam,
contains the teachings of the Prophet that were revealed to him from Allah.

The Key Principles (pramuk sidhant) of Islam or the unifying (ekakrit) characteristics of Islam are
the Five Pillars of Islam. The five pillars are the most important obligations of a Muslim under Sharia
law and which conservative Muslims perform faithfully. They are the foundation of traditional
Muslim life and have been described in this way:

Shahadah (ghawahi): The testimony that there is none worthy of worship except God and
that Muhammad is his messenger.
Salah (prarthna): Establishing of the five daily prayers

Zakat (daan): The giving of charity

Ramadhan/ Sawm (upwas) : Fasting from dawn to dusk in the month of Ramadan.
Hajj (teerth yatra): The pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is
compulsory once in a lifetime for one who has the ability to do it.

Six Major Beliefs in Islam (Pramuk Manyathayein)

1. Belief in the Oneness of God: Ishwar Ki Ektha

Muslims believe that God is the creator of all things, and that God is all-powerful and all-knowing.
2. Belief in the Angels of God: Swargdhuton Pey Vishwas
Muslims believe in angels, unseen beings who worship God and carry out God’s orders throughout the
universe. The angel Gabriel brought the divine revelation to the prophets.
3. Belief in the Books of God: Pavitr Sastron Par Vishwas
Muslims believe that God revealed holy books or scriptures to a number of God’s messengers. These
include the Quran (given to Muhammad), the Torah (given to Moses), the Gospel (given to Jesus), the
Psalms (given to David), and the Scrolls (given to Abraham). However, Muslims believe that all such
revelations (Prakashit/Khulasa) were limited to a specific time and people and are not preserved in their
original purity (Mool Shudtha), but subject to distortions. All the Holy Scriptures culminated in, and was
perfected (Siddh) in, the Holy Quran (just as all religions were perfected in Islam).
4. Belief in the Prophets or Messengers of God: Paigambar Pey Vishwas
Muslims believe that God’s guidance has been revealed to humankind through specially appointed
messengers, or prophets, throughout history, beginning with the first man, Adam, who is considered the
first prophet. Twenty-five of these prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran, including Noah,
Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last in this line of prophets, sent
for all humankind with the message of Islam.
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment: (Faisla ka din)
Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment, humans will be judged for their actions in this life; those
who followed God’s guidance will be rewarded with paradise; those who rejected God’s guidance will be
punished with hell.
6. Belief in the Divine Decree (Ishwariya Farmaan): This article of faith addresses the question of
God’s will. It can be expressed as the belief that everything is governed by divine decree, namely that
whatever happens in one’s life is preordained, and that believers should respond to the good or bad that
befalls them with thankfulness or patience. This concept does not negate the concept of “free will;” since
humans do not have prior knowledge of God’s decree, they do have freedom of choice.

Similarities between Christianity and Islam: Isai Dharm aur Islam mey Samanthayein

God the Father (pita parmeshwar/Allah)

Muslims and Christians worship only one God and believe all are children of Him.

Prophets (Paigambar)
Both religions revere (samman) the early prophets including Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph,
John the Baptist and even Jesus (Peace be upon them.).
The Bible
Christians are familiar with the Bible, but Muslims also believe the Bible to be Holy Scripture
provided (besarth) it is translated correctly and does not contradict (asahamat) the Quran.
Commandments (Aagyaien)
People of both faiths believe in similar rules given by God for all people and obeying them keeps
humankind in a right relationship with God.
Mary (Mariam)
Both Muslims and most Christians believe Mary was a virgin (Kunwari) and that Jesus was born
miraculously.
Messiahs’ miracles (Masihah ka Chamatkar)
Islam and Christianity both ascribe that Jesus Christ was the promised (wadha) Messiah and did
perform miracles.
Satan (shaitan)
Both Muslims and Christians believe Satan is real and evil (Buraai) and that he tries to make people
follow him instead of God.
The return (Wapasi)
The two faiths believe Jesus will return from Heaven.
Antichrist (Masih ke Virodh Karne wale)
The belief that there will be an antichrist who appears before the end of the world and that Jesus will
return and conquer him is common to both theologies.
Judgment (Faisla Ka Din)
Both religions believe a day of judgment will really happen and people will be judged for the lives
they lead on Earth.
Hell and paradise (Swarg aur Narg)
Muslims and Christians believe hell and paradise to be literal places.
Covenants (Wacha)
Muslims and some Christians believe God connects with His people through covenants.
Family (Parivar)
Family is a foundational part of both Christian and Muslim life. Both peoples believe the family has a
critical impact on society.
Codes of health (Swastiya ke Acharan)
Muslims and some Christians have codes of health such as not drinking alcohol or not eating certain
foods. These codes of health are part of their covenants made with God.
Sacred Body (Pavitr Sharir)
Muslims and most Christians believe the body to be sacred and/or should be treated with respect.

Dialogue: (Samwadh/ Vaarta)

Dialogue means a deliberate effort to engage genuinely and respectfully with each other;
(Sammanpurvak Samwadh)
Key Points in Dialogue

Willingness to listen and understand (Sunne aur samjhne ki ichcha)

Readiness to learn and be challenged (Seekhne aur Chunauti ke liye Tayar Rehna)
Desire to relate to, communicate with and be understood by one another (Sambandith hona aur ek
dusre ko samajh pana)

There are always differences (ashemathi)

We must focus on outcome (Parinam pey dhyaan)
Christians and Muslims meet each other as human beings, with common needs and aspirations, joys
and sorrows, hopes and struggles. (Sadharan manushya ke rup mey samanya zaruraton aur
khushiyon pe dhyaan dena chahiye)

We must Share beliefs and ethical values, despite differing understanding of these. (Naithik Mulya
aur vishwason par dhyaan de, anthar hone ke baujud)

An integral part of dialogue is removing the huge misunderstandings we have about each other’s faith
(Galatfaimiyon ko dur karna)

A fruitful dialogue is measured by its outcomes: (Ache samwadh ko Parinam se mapa jata hai )

The outcomes: (Parinam)

A better understanding of each other’s faith and of one’s own (Ek Dusre Ke Dharm ke prathi achi
samjh).
It should also lead to better relationships between the two communities, (Gehere sambandh mey
bandhna chahiye)
Strengthening social commitment (Samudhayik nishthaa ko mazbut karna )
Dialogue is also an excellent school for tolerance. (Samwadh se Sehenshilta ko bada sakte hain)
It helps us overcome our ignorance, our prejudice, our self-centredness, our fanaticism and our
spiritual pride. (Samwadh ke dwara hum apne, agyaan, pakshpat, atmakendrittha, se chutkara
pa sakte hain)