Comparative Analysis ( Muslim - Christian Relations)

In a book that gives an overview of theological issues in Christian-Muslim dialogue, it seems quite
natural to start with God. After all, both Christians and Muslims start their attestations of faith by
declaring that they believe in one God.“We believe in one God”(pisteuomen eis hena theon) are the first
words of the Creed accepted by the councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381). Similarly, the
Muslim proclamation of faith begins with the words “I witness that there is no deity except (the one
who is) God”(ashadu an la ilaha illa Allah). Yet at the same time it is evident that Christians and Muslims
approach their God in deeply different ways, summarized as tawhid (saying that God is One) for
Muslims, and Trinity (saying that God is Triune) for Christians. (Pim ValkenbergTheological Issues in
Christian-Muslim Dialogue. Pickwick Publications, 1-15, 2018)

Among the parallels between Stoicism and Christianity, both are monotheistic. Stoicism follows
Heraclitus and believes in one Logos; Christianity follows Jesus, and requires followers to believe in the
one true God and have no other gods before him [her]. Additionally, both Stoicism and Christianity serve
the will of the Logos/God. They teach we can liberate ourselves from fear and anxiety by submitting to
the will of the Divine.

Muslims and Christians also believe that all humans are children of God. This means that both religions
are monotheistic - meaning one God. Christians and Muslims believe that the word of their God was
revealed to them through prophets, both believe that Jesus was a prophet who performed miracles!

However, Christianity and Islam also have a number of differences between how they think about God
and how they practice their faith.

A. Use of statues and pictures

In Catholic & Orthodox Churches they use statues and pictures while in Muslim,Images of God or
prophets not permitted. Art takes the form of calligraphy, architecture etc. Muslims distinguish
themselves from other groups by not drawing lifelike human works, which could be mistaken as idolatry.
No image is representative of God.

B.Place of worship

In Christian,Church, chapel, cathedral, basilica, home bible study, personal dwellings.In

Muslims,Mosque/masjid, any place which is considered clean by Islamic standards.

C.Clergy

Christian -Priests, bishops, ministers, monks, and nuns. Muslims-Imam leads congregational prayer in a
mosque. Sheikh, Maulana, Mullah and Mufti

D.Belief of God
 One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity. Muslim- Only one God (monotheism). God is
the one True Creator. God has always existed, none existed before him and will exist forever. He
transcends life and death. No part of His creation resembles Him, He cannot be seen, but sees all.

E.Founder

Christian - The Lord Jesus Christ. Muslims- Prophet Muhammad. According to Islamic scripture, all
people who follow God's revealed guidance and the messengers sent with it 'submit' to that guidance,
and are considered Muslims (ie. Adam, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, etc.).

F.Literal Meaning

Christian- Follower Of Christ. Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Salema": peace, purity,
submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and
obedience to His law. A Muslim is one who follows Islam.

G.Marriage

Christian- A Holy Sacrament. Islam is totally opposed to monasticism and celibacy. Marriage is an act
of Sunnah in Islam and is strongly recommended. Men can only marry the "people of the book" i.e.,
Abrahamic religions. Women can only marry a Muslim man.

H.Scriptures

Christian -The Holy Bible. Muslims- The Qur'an, and traditions of the Holy Last messenger Muhammad,
called 'Sunnah' which is found in narrations or 'hadiths' by the men around him.

I.Day of worship

Christian - Sunday (most denominations), Saturday (Seventh-Day Adventist, Seventh-Day

Baptist)Muslims - Prayer five times daily is obligatory. Friday is the day of congregational prayer,
obligatory for men, but not for women.

J.Practices

Christian - Prayer, sacraments (some branches), worship in church, reading of the Bible, acts of charity,
communion. Muslims- Five pillars: Testament that there is one God and Muhammad is his messenger
(shahadah); prayer five times daily; fast during Ramadan; charity to the poor (zakat); pilgrimage (Hajj).

K.Life after death

Christian - Eternity in Heaven or Hell, in some cases temporal Purgatory. Muslim- All beings created with
reason will be accountable to God Almighty on the Day of Judgement. They will be rewarded for every
atom's weight of good, and either forgiven or punished for evil deeds

L.Human Nature
Christian - Man has inherited "original sin" from Adam. Mankind then is inherently evil and is in need of
forgiveness of sin. By knowing right and wrong Christians choose their actions. Humans are a fallen,
broken race in need of salvation and repair by God.Muslims- Humans are born pure and innocent. Upon
reaching adolescence, you are responsible for what you do, and must choose right from wrong. Islam
also teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand.

M.Means of salvation

Christian - Through Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Muslims - Belief in one God, remembrance
of God, repentance, fear of God and hope in God's mercy.

N.On Clothing

Christian - Conservative Christians dress modestly; women may wear long skirts or dresses; men may
wear dress clothes that do not show the chest, legs, and arms. More moderate or liberal Christians
generally reject such clothing restrictions. Muslim- Women must present themselves modestly to
cover hair and body shape. Men must be modestly dressed and covered from waist to knee. In most
Muslim culture, women wear a form of the hijab; in some, they must wear the full-body cover known as
the burqa.