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By Ijaz
Chaudry
Difference between Christianity and Islam, Islamic point of view;
Christianity;
Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Islam;
According
to Quran, this is not the first time people have called someone son of God;
[9:30] The Jews said, "Ezra is the
son of GOD," while the Christians said, "Jesus is the son of GOD!" These are
blasphemies uttered by their mouths. They thus match the blasphemies of those
who have disbelieved in the past. GOD condemns them. They have surely deviated.
Quran
categorically states that God has no son now or ever;
[17:111] And proclaim: "Praise be to
GOD, who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship,
nor does He need any ally out of weakness," and magnify Him constantly.
Christianity;
Christians believe that God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the
consequences of its sins.
Islam;
The
destiny of a person is already written before the creation of Heavens and the
Earth. This episode is referred to
as “Feud in the High Society” in the Quran.
When this happened according to what decision each of us (humans) made,
we live our lives on earth.
Depending on that decision God creates circumstances and environment for us on
earth, the believers are guided and the disbelievers are not.
Like Christians, Muslims believe that we are born sinners, however unlike
Christians our sin is that in this feud we sided with Satan and not with God.
Based on our decision in “Feud in High Society” which might border on
righteousness God guides us.
However, we are oblivious of this fact (.i.e. what our decision is) thus the
best solution for each one of us is to search for the truth, which leads us to
find God and in turn a, eternal life.
Quran is also clear about a fact that everyone is responsible for his/her
own deeds and no one can remove or share other person’s deeds bad or good.
It is also clear in the Quran that, apparent success of a human being
might not be success in the Hereafter, because God is Most Merciful and he
provides for both, believers and disbelievers.
[4:84] You shall fight for the cause
of GOD; you are responsible only for your own soul, and exhort the believers to
do the same. GOD will neutralize the power of those who disbelieve. GOD is much
more powerful, and much more effective.
[53:39] Every human being is
responsible for his own works.
[38:69] "I had no knowledge
previously, about the feud in the High Society.*
*38:69 The feud in the High Society was triggered by Satan's challenge to God's
absolute authority. This is definitely the most important event in the history
of the human race. We failed to make a firm stand regarding God's absolute
authority. This life represents the third and final chance to redeem ourselves.
[2:126] Abraham prayed: "My Lord,
make this a peaceful land, and provide its people with fruits. Provide for those
who believe in GOD and the Last Day." (God) said, "I will also provide for those
who disbelieve. I will let them enjoy, temporarily, then commit them to the
retribution of Hell, and a miserable destiny."
Christianity;
One of
the most important concepts in Christianity is that of Jesus giving his life on
the Cross (the Crucifixion) and rising from the dead on the third day (the
Resurrection).
Islam;
Quran is
clear that Jesus did not die on crucifix;
[4:157]
And for claiming that they killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the
messenger of GOD. In fact, they never killed him, they never crucified him -
they were made to think that they did. All factions who are disputing in this
matter are full of doubt concerning this issue. They possess no knowledge; they
only conjecture. For certain, they never killed him.
The
following verse tells us how Jesus died (seems like very peacefully);
[3:55] Thus, GOD said, "O Jesus, I
am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the
disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till
the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then
I will judge among you regarding your disputes.
There is
no mention of Jesus being resurrected after three days.
The end of the world is called Day of Resurrection when the disbelievers
will be resurrected, from, dead this is the only instance of human resurrection
in Islam. Jesus with all other
messengers and believers is in Paradise, the same Paradise from where Adam and
Eve were evicted from.
Christianity;
Christians believe that there is only one God, but that there are three elements
of this God;
God the
Father
God the
Son
The Holy
Spirit
Islam;
Is clear
that there is only One God and it has just One Element which is God the Almighty
Creator of The Heavens and Earth and everything between.
There is no other god beside The God.
Worshiping, some being other then God is idol worship which is the
gravest sin in Islam. God is
forgiving and merciful, he can forgive any sin other then idol worship if
maintained till death. One of the
reason why idol worship is so wrong is that God created the Heavens and the
Earth, He created us provided us with provisions like various foods, roof over
our heads, gave us the intelligence to live our lives successfully and much
more, if we then turn around and thank anyone else other than God, like prophets
or saints who are mere mortals and humans like us then it is quite wrong isn’t
it? Thus idol worship is the
greatest sin!
[2:22] The One who made the earth
habitable for you, and the sky a structure. He sends down from the sky water, to
produce all kinds of fruits for your sustenance. You shall not set up idols to
rival GOD, now that you know.
[2:163] Your god is one god; there
is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[3:2] GOD: there is no god except
He; the Living, the Eternal.
[3:18]
GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels
and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute
god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.
The Unforgivable Sin
[4:48] GOD does not forgive
idolatry,* but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who
sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.
*4:48 Idol worship is not forgivable, if
maintained until death. One can always repent from any offense, including
idolatry, before death comes (see 4:18 & 40:66).
Christianity;
Life
after death;
Christians believe that there is a life after earthly death.
While the
actual nature of this life is not known, Christians believe that many spiritual
experiences in this life help to give them some idea of what eternal life will
be like.
Islam;
Life
after death;
Muslims
also believe in life after death.
Quran explains life after death a joyous experience for the believers and
hellish experience for the disbelievers.
Since it is very difficult to explain to someone what the chocolate
tastes like without actually tasting it, similarly the experience of Hereafter
cannot be explained. However, Quran
uses analogies to explain Heaven and Hell.
[7:43]
We will remove all jealousy from their hearts. Rivers will flow beneath
them, and they will say, "GOD be praised for guiding us. We could not possibly
be guided, if it were not that GOD has guided us. The messengers of our Lord did
bring the truth." They will be called: "This is your Paradise. You have
inherited it, in return for your works."
[26:85]
"Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise.
[29:58]
Those who believe and lead a righteous life, we will surely settle them
in Paradise, with mansions and flowing streams. Eternally they abide therein.
What a beautiful reward for the workers.
[30:15]
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they will be in
Paradise, rejoicing.
[32:19]
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they have deserved
the eternal Paradise. Such is their abode, in return for their works.
[40:70]
They are the ones who have disbelieved in the scripture, and in the
messages we have sent with our messengers. Therefore, they will surely find out.
[40:71] The shackles will be
around their necks, and the chains will be used to drag them.
[40:72] In the Inferno,* then
in the Fire, they will burn.
[40:73] They will be asked,
"Where are the idols you used to worship,
[40:74]
"beside GOD?" They will say, "They have abandoned us. In fact, when we
worshiped them, we were worshiping nothing." Thus does GOD send the disbelievers
astray.
[40:75] This is because you used to
rejoice in false doctrines on earth, and you used to promote them.
[40:76] Enter the gates of Gehenna
(Hell), wherein you abide forever. What a miserable destiny for the arrogant
ones.
Christianity;
The
Saints;
These
days, the word saints most commonly used to refer to a Christian who has lived a
particularly good and holy life on earth, and with whom miracles are claimed to
have been associated after their death.
Islam;
The
Saints;
Islam
also recognizes saints. But saints
cannot produce miracles, only God does, maybe through them, the example of Jesus
and Moses both were saints and prophets who could do miracles by God’s leave.
When the saints die that is their end on earth, they cannot produce
miracles. Islam recognizes another
entity called Jinn’s or devil who is companion of all humans and when the human
dies the Jinn is born. Since this,
Jinn had lived all his unborn life with this human, they know a lot about that
human, hence the modern term ghost or spirit.
These are invisible and are given great power they could be seem to
perform miracles. Muslim’s are not
allowed to associate with Jinn’s who in majority are disbelievers.
Example of this is Solomon and Sheba’s castle, at that time it was
allowed by Muslim’s to gain righteous works from Jinn’s, but that is not allowed
now, because humans tend to use Jinn’s to harm each other rather than do good
work with them.
Christianity;
When life
begins;
The
Church says that human life begins when the woman's egg is fertilised by a male
sperm.
Islam;
When life
begins;
According
to Islam, life begins after fetus is formed.
Before fetus is formed there is no life thus abortion is allowed at that
time. God has forbidden taking life
thus one is not taking life before fetus is formed.
[6:151] Say, "Come let me tell you
what your Lord has really prohibited for you: You shall not set up idols besides
Him. You shall honor your parents. You shall not kill your children from fear of
poverty - we provide for you and for them. You shall not commit gross sins,
obvious or hidden. You shall not kill - GOD has made life sacred - except in the
course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand."
The above
verse confirms that it is forbidden to take life.
[22:5] O people, if you have any
doubt about resurrection, (remember that) we created you from dust, and
subsequently from a tiny drop, which turns into a hanging (embryo), then it
becomes a fetus that is given life or deemed lifeless. We thus clarify things
for you. We settle in the wombs whatever we will for a predetermined period. We
then bring you out as infants, then you reach maturity. While some of you die
young, others live to the worst age, only to find out that no more knowledge can
be attained beyond a certain limit. Also, you look at a land that is dead, then
as soon as we shower it with water, it vibrates with life and grows all kinds of
beautiful plants.
This
verse confirms that life begins when fetus is formed.
Christianity;
War;
The main
Christian, view of war ethics contained in the doctrine of the Just war.
The basic assumption of modern Christians is that war is rarely justified
and should be avoided unless the Just War conditions are met.
An
individual Christian may believe that the standard of evidence and argument
required for them to support a war is higher than the standard of evidence that
national leaders may require to go to war.
Christianity is no longer (if it ever was) wholly against war. Some say that
modern Christianity has a 'presumption against war', but others say that it has
a 'presumption against injustice' - and the bias against war comes from the
injustice that war can do.
This view
says that the aim of Christianity is to promote a world in which peace and
justice flourish everywhere: war may sometimes be the tool needed to do this,
and waging war may sometimes be a lesser evil (a lesser injustice) than allowing
injustice to persist or tolerating the victimisation of innocent people
Islam;
War;
Islam
also favors peace and tolerance, but is not totally against war.
The circumstances to justify war in Islam are as follows;
In
defense
In order
to practice religion freely
If
oppressed
There is
no other circumstance under which the war is allowed.
[2:190]
You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do
not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.
[2:193]
You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship GOD
freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only
against the aggressors.
[60:8]
GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you
because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them
and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.
Christianity;
While the
Gospels clearly depict Jesus as having a special relationship with God, do they
actually affirm what Christianity later explicitly affirmed, that Jesus is God
incarnate, God become flesh? The evidence points in different directions. Mark,
the earliest of the four, certainly believes that Jesus is God's Son, but he
also includes this extraordinary passage:
As he was
setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him,
"Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why
do you call me good? No one is good but God alone."
Mark
10:17-18
Islam;
Even
reading Bible carefully affirms the core ideas mentioned in the Quran as in the
example above Mark 10:17-18.
This article has direct reference to
material on
www.bbc.co.uk/religion. Thus the
paragraphs under the heading
Christianity
is from BBC. Lot of effort has been
taken to leave this material in its original form and minimize the amount of
material in proportion to what BBC has put on their site.
This is done in compliance with
Section 110 (5) of the Copyright Act 1976.