Islam vs. Christianity, Their Similarities & Differences  

 

Islam is known as one of the Abrahamic religions alongside Christianity and Judaism. A truly global religion, founded by the Prophet Muhammad, holds the place of being the second largest religion in the world, with followers from every continent. As close as these religions may be, they also differ from one another conclusively. Let’s focus on Islam and Christianity.  

The Afterlife

In Islam and Christianity, as they are both monotheistic religions, Muslims and Christians also believe in the terms of an afterlife. The afterlife is your perpetuated existence of your consciousness that remains after you deceased. “Christianity, in general affirms the existence of an afterlife of either blessing or suffering based on one’s faith during earthly life. eternal reward and punishment, either heaven or hell. (Carroll, pg. 113 Christianity). In Islam, Muslims agree to this concept, but it is interpreted differently in their religion. After death, one’s soul will be in a state of waiting until the Day of Judgement. In which that individual is judged upon by God based on their good or bad deeds. “Based on their judgment from God and his angel’s people will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. Before the day of judgment Jesus or Isa as he is called in the Quran will return to earth to fight a false Messiah who is very similar to what Christianity calls the Antichrist,” (Carroll, pg. 141 & 142). 

 

Detering From Ideological Depictions 

Islam and Christianity can differ from one another through their sacred spaces. In Islam, their house of worship is distinguished as mosques. Mosques can be unadorned, but typically seen in mosques are thin beacons called minarets. While in Christianity there are churches with colorful glass-stained windows and art that draws elements from the bible, In Islam that is not the case. Purely seen in Islam’s places of worship are intricate geometrical patterns amongst the ceilings, and artistic foliage of floral designs called arabesque. “A distinct feature of Islamic architecture and art in the mosque is that there will be no figural artwork no statues paintings or drawings of God Mohammed or any other person,” (Carroll, pg. 132). But known in Christianity, paintings of biblical figures like angles, God, or Mary are notably seen in churches. “Christians, on the other hand, underscore the human aspect of God. It is crucial for them to emphasize that Jesus lived the human experience as a way to comprehend the depth of God’s love for humans,” (Rodman iCollege). Mosque don’t hold the images of Muhammad or any figure because in Islam, it is passionately believed that it is infallible to use such images to persuade idolization. “Muslims reject visual images of God on the ground that such images, which cannot possibly capture the reality of the divine, or tempt us toward idolatry,” (Rodman iCollege).

What Exactly Are the Five Pillars? 

The Five Pillars are considered as the fundamental beliefs, ethical and moral values of Islam. “Islam affirms the cultivation of classic virtues like humility, honesty, integrity, piety and other positive qualities,” (Carroll, pg. 132). Five Pillars can be distinguished as Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj sincerely in Islam. But the five pillars can also be asserted about in these categories: 

 

Profession of Faith- (Shahada), In Islam showing your profession of faith can be asserted as an oath or creed in the religion of Islam. “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his Prophet,” (Carroll, pg. 131). Those who recite this phrase with pure devotion and belief are truly considered Muslim. 

Ritual Prayer- (Salat), Thoroughly for five times a day, Muslims have obligatory ritual prayers. It is notable that Muslims generally pray towards Mecca, which is considered as one of the holiest cities known to Islam. “At dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Prayer includes a recitation of the opening chapter Sura of the Qur’an and is sometimes performed on a small rug or mat used expressly for this purpose. Muslims can pray individually at any location, or together in a mosque, where a leader in prayer guides the congregation,” (Canby 2019). Through ritual prayer, Muslims show conviction and divine submission to Allah, which also means God. 

Almsgiving- (Zakat), According to Islamic law, it is considered as a religious obligation to donate to those in need. Obligatory charity can result in the purification of oneself and/or increase one’s blessings in return. About 2 percent of one’s income is given to those in need. “Many rulers and wealthy Muslims build mosques, drinking fountains, hospitals, schools, and other institutions both as a religious duty and to secure the blessings associated with charity,” (Canby 2019). 

 

Fasting- (Sawm), During Ramadan Muslims must fast. Such fasting like from food, Muslims also take part into abstaining themselves from human temptations. “Each day for an entire month, from sunrise to sunset, observant Muslims refrain from all food drink and sexual relations. Those who are ill pregnant or otherwise unable to fast may exempt or can observe it at a different time of year,” (Carroll, pg. 131). Muslims partake in fasting as a practice of self-restraint and magnanimity. 

 

Pilgrimage- (Hajj), In Islam, if feasibly possible, adults must take a journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime as a pilgrimage. “Which includes various ritual actions and reenactments of stories of Abraham, Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, and Muhammad,” (Carroll, pg. 131 & 132). The purpose of the pilgrimage is one of the ways that Muslims can cleanse themselves of sis and restart anew with Allah. 

 

I am satisfied with the identification of the five pillars because I can get the full understanding of the shared values and the utmost devotion established within Islam and its basic identity. I can also find the respect made by those who devote their lives to Allah as a part of practice.

The True Meaning of Jihad 

Many people wrongfully distinguish Jihad as holy war, but that is not the case, it simply means the personal struggle to live up to God’s will. The brutal miss use of this word has led to controversy, and it has been vowed by the Muslim community to gain back the true meaning of the word. The word Jihad has two presumed aspects that is sought by many, armed and unarmed jihad. “Armed jihad or jihad of the sword is an armed struggle to defend Muslims and others in their rights to worship and practice their faith. Jihad of the heart or spirit is the unarmed struggle to live a virtuous life of submission to God, (Carroll, pg. 139). Jihad can also be distinguished a way for Muslims to strive in the path of Allah, and a practice of self-exertion. 

 

Muslim Women & The Hijab 

In Islam, Muslim women are usually seen wearing a Jilbab and a Hibaq compromising into the Hijab. “Muslim women wear head coverings for the same reasons they’re Jewish and Christian counterparts wear them: to preserve their modesty,”(Carroll, pg. 136). In the perseverance of their modesty, it is heavily stated that in Islamic laws. Quoted from the Quran, “And tell the faithful women (Quran 24:31) to cast down their looks, and to guard their private parts to make their outer garments (Quran 33:59) hang low over them so as to be recognized and not insulted,” (YouTube 2019). People are more interested in what Muslim women put on their heads than what is in their heads because, it is believed that going against such laws are counted as a sin. The hijab stands for different meanings for many Muslim women, for many it is a religious tradition that is stood by and for others it’s a choice of dress, or identity. “Women have quranic rights that are drawn out in the Quran, and whether or not people pay attention to that is one thing, but nonetheless they are there,”(YouTube 2019).

 

 

“EVEN THOUGH THE HAJAB HOLDS GREAT IMPORTANCE, IT IS JUST A PEICE OF FABIC AROUND MY HEAD,” (YouTube 2019)

 

 

 

 

 

References

Canby, Sheila. 2019. “The Five Pillars of Islam.” Metmuseum.org. 2019. https://www.metmuseum.org/learn/educators/curriculum-resources/art-of-the-islamic-world/unit-one/the-five-pillars-of-islam. 

Carroll, Jill. 2021. World Religions : A Beginner’s Guide : Questions and Answers for Humanity’s 7 Oldest and Largest Faiths. Emeryville, California: Rockridge Press. 

(Rodman iCollege- Georgia State University)