How are Islam & Christianity Different?

The teachings of Islam and Christianity are very different. In fact they are literally the opposite of each other. The following information provides examples of the differences in their teachings.

The Teachings

Islam is based on the Koran (recorded by Muhammad) and the Hadith (a compilation of the behaviors of Muhammad). Muslims believe that Muhammad was the prophet of Allah. Muhammad died and was buried in Medina.

Christianity is based on the Holy Bible’s Old Testament (the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets) and the New Testament (the teachings of Jesus Christ). Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Jesus Christ was crucified (as a ransom sinners), overcame hell / Hades, and was resurrected from the grave after 3 days (his grave is empty).

The Books

Islam follows the teachings found in the Koran. The Koran records the instructions of Allah. It is worded simply so as to be easily understood and it requires that it be followed without question: total submission.

The Koran teaches that if a newer revelation conflicts with an older revelation, the newer revelation replaces the older one. For example: Muhammad’s older revelations about living in peace were replaced with the newer revelations that condoned and/or mandated violence.

Christianity follows the teachings found in the Holy Bible. It contains both simplicity and complexity. Due to the depth of its meanings and the intricacy of the writings, its meanings are not fully understood without intentional study and the gift of discernment from God. Individual scriptures are not to be taken out of context.

The Holy Bible is woven with a pattern that bridges different scriptures together. Each time that it is read, additional understanding can be received. The Holy Bible does not contradict itself. Any alleged contradiction would be due to not clearly understanding the scripture and an indication that additional study is needed.

House of Worship

Islam calls their house of worship a “mosque.” The ceiling of a mosque is usually dome-shaped. Written on the inside wall of every mosque are the words: “God has no son.”

Christianity calls its house of worship a “church.” The shape and size of a church building or meeting room varies. Inside most Christian churches, there is cross to symbolize that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, died for our sins and has risen from the dead.

Idolatry

Islam requires that Muslims visit the Kaaba in Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The Kaaba is a temple shaped like a giant black cube, which holds the Black Stone. They believe that the fragmented black stone (resembling a meteorite) was sent from heaven to Adam and Eve.

In the ritual of Hajj, the Muslim pilgrims must walk counterclockwise around the Kaaba seven times, bow down to it, worship it, and touch or kiss the black stone (if they can get close enough to it). This is required in order to receive atonement for their sins. This object is revered as a sacred idol.

Christianity teaches that idolatry is a sin. God gave Moses a list of ten commandments, the second of which expressly forbids the worship of images and/or idols:

⁴“You shall not make for yourself an [graven] image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20: 4-6)

Unbelievers

Islam teaches that unbelievers (infidels) are less than human and that anyone who speaks against the prophet Muhammad, Islam, or Allah deserves to be killed. It teaches that anyone who attempts to leave Islam deserves to be killed. It mandates that those who refuse to convert to Islam should either be killed or forced to pay an exorbitant tax for not converting to Islam (aka the Jizya tax).

The Jizya tax is intended to be excessive enough for the unbeliever to consider himself “subdued” by Islam (Surah 9: 29). The Islamic “golden age” during which the Islamic Ottoman Empire attempted to rule the world (mid 7th century through mid 13th century) was funded primarily by two sources: the spoils of war and the Jizya tax on unbelievers.

Muslims are forbidden to pray for unbelievers (infidels) – even if they are family members – if that person is believed to be going to hell. (Surah 9: 113)

Christianity teaches that unbelievers (pagans) are lost souls and that God desires none should perish. Instead, God provided a way to save them and He calls them to come to Him.

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3: 16-21)

Peace

Islam teaches that peace is possible only when the entire world is strictly governed by Islamic law (Sharia law). When devout Muslims say that they believe in peace, keep in mind that Muslims’ definition of “peace” and non-Muslims’ definition of “peace” are very different.

Christianity teaches that believers should try to live at peace with others. Christians are instructed to be compassionate and to demonstrate God’s love toward others. With the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to overcome our fallen human nature and not behave the way the world behaves. Christians are to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit and show evidence of God’s Spirit in their lives.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5: 22-23)

Enemies

Islam teaches that Muslims should live at peace with their enemies unless the Muslims are strong enough to overcome and kill their enemies. Islam teaches that mercy should only be shown to other Muslims and that no mercy should be shown to enemies. Islam encourages Muslims to take vengeance on their enemies.

Christianity teaches that we are to be merciful, love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. This command goes against human nature and it requires God’s help to accomplish.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 43-45)

Killing & Murder

Islam teaches that it is a sin to murder a fellow Muslim but since unbelievers are less than human, it is not considered a sin to murder an unbeliever. Islam teaches that torturing and executing unbelievers is acceptable and righteous. The early writings of Muhammad tell Muslims to live in peace with their neighbors but his later writings in the Koran condones the killing anyone who refuses to convert to Islam. Islamic terrorists are actually following the teachings of the Koran.

Christianity teaches that murder (the killing of an innocent) is a sin. Jesus taught that harboring hatred toward someone in your heart is similar to murder.

¹³“You shall not murder. (Exodus 20: 13)

¹⁸But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. (Matthew 15: 18-19)

²⁹They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. (Romans 1: 29-31)

Speaking the Truth

Islam teaches that since unbelievers are less than human, it is not considered a sin to lie to an unbeliever. It teaches that it is okay to lie to your enemies (non-Muslims) in order to keep their guards down and later use it as an advantage to conquer them. It is considered acceptable – even righteous – to deceive unbelievers in order to further Islam.

Christianity teaches that all lies are sinful. God is the author of truth. Satan is the father of lies. When a person lies, they are sinning against God and they are following Satan.

⁴²Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. ⁴³Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8: 42-44)

³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 32)

Anger, Mercy, Grace, & Forgiveness

Islam teaches that it is acceptable for Muslims to take vengeance on those who offend them. It also tells Muslims to kill anyone who offends Islam or Muhammad. It teaches that mercy is only to be shown to fellow Muslims and that unbelievers should not be shown any mercy. Islam does not offer any doctrine of grace. According to the Koran, the only assurance of forgiveness rests in being a martyr for Allah.

The Koran totally rejects the concept of someone (e.g. Jesus Christ) interceding for another person’s sins. The Koran then contradicts itself when it says that martyrs will be granted entry into paradise and the martyr can intercede for 70 family members.

Christianity teaches that people are not to act out in anger and that vengeance belongs to God. It encourages people to be merciful and to pray for their enemies. It also mandates that people forgive those who sin against them. It teaches that unresolved anger gives Satan a foothold in our lives.

Mercy (escaping the punishment we deserve) and grace (the gift of salvation that we did not earn) was given to us at the cross when Jesus Christ paid our sin debt. Because God has forgiven us, we are mandated to forgive others.

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4: 26-27)

¹⁴For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6: 14-15)

Salvation

Islam teaches that there is no salvation. Each person will face judgment. Islam teaches that the only way to be sure that a Muslim will go to paradise is to be a martyr for Allah. This is what motivates the jihad suicide bombers – but because suicide is forbidden, they are called “martyrs.”

Christianity teaches that salvation is a gift available through Jesus Christ because he paid our ransom with his blood on the cross. Christianity teaches that no one gets to heaven except through Jesus Christ.

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3: 16-18)

¹¹Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ ¹²Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 11-12)

³⁶“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” ³⁷When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 36-38)

What Heaven Is Like

Islam teaches that paradise is carnal and sensuous in nature. According to Islam, Allah’s martyrs (men) will receive 72 dark eyed virgins (women). Much of their time in paradise will be spent engaged in sexual relations.

Christianity teaches that heaven is about spending eternity with a loving God and being in His holy presence. According to the Bible, heaven is beautiful but not carnal and there are no marital relationships in heaven. They will be similar to the angels – but they will not be angels. God’s holy people will judge the angels.

³⁰At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22: 30)

²Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ³Do you not know that we will judge angels? (1 Corinthians 6: 3)

Christianity also teaches that all roads do not lead to heaven. The wide gate leads to destruction. The narrow gate is the one that leads to heaven: Jesus Christ is the only way to get into heaven. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ.

¹³“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7: 13-14)

⁹“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10: 9)

⁶Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14: 6)

What Hell Is Like

Islam teaches that hell is an actual place of eternal torment. It is described as having real horrors, pains, anguish, and punishment. It is considered to be the ultimate humiliation and loss. It includes a blazing fire and intense heat. Islam teaches that the only ones to escape hell will be those who believed in Allah and his prophet Mohammad.

Christianity teaches that hell is a place of eternal torment. It describes a place in which there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And yes, it mentions a lake of burning fire and brimstone (sulfur).

The following scriptures confirm that when humans die, they don’t just stop existing. Their eternal soul will either end up in heaven or in hell. Christianity teaches that the only way to escape hell is by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

⁴For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; ⁵if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; ⁶if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; ⁷and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless ⁸(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— ⁹if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. ¹⁰This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. (2 Peter 2: 4-10)

⁴¹The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴²They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13: 41-42)

¹⁰And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20: 10)

Prayer

Islam teaches that prayer is primarily a public demonstration of submission to Allah. It utilizes chants and repetitive words as an major part of the prayers. Muslims are instructed to pray facing Mecca and to pray 5 times a day. Each day, there is a public call to prayer. The position of prayer is an act of submission: usually kneeling with one’s face touching the ground. Muslims with a “prayer bump” on their forehead from excessively prostrating themselves before Allah are considered to be especially devout.

Christianity teaches that prayer is primarily a private conversation between God and the person. Corporate prayer is also powerful. Prayer is to be heartfelt, honest, sincere, thankful, and trusting. Chanting and repetitive words that lose their meaning are considered meaningless. Prayer can be done in virtually any position (e.g. kneeling, sitting, standing) but most often it is to be done discretely.

²⁰For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18: 20)

⁵“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6: 5-8)

⁹“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us today our daily bread. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6: 9-13)

The Value of Women

Islam does not honor the desires of women. It teaches that women are less than equal to men and women are considered to be the property of men. It requires the testimony of two women to equal to the testimony of one man. Islam condones abusive behaviors toward women (e.g. beating) for whatever reason the men decide that it is warranted. (4:34)

As a spoil of war, Islam permits Muslim men to take non-Muslim women as booty and slaves. Since Islam declares itself perpetually in jihad war with the non-Muslim world, some Islamic men rationalize the rape of non-Muslim women. (4:24, 23:6)

If a Muslim woman claims to have been raped, she must have 4 male witnesses. Women who admit that they were raped face the possibility that they will be blamed for the sexual act that victimized them and then stoned for adultery/fornication. Women are usually blamed for being raped because they were out on the street instead of at home. If she was out without a veil, she is blamed for tempting the poor man. If she tries to defend herself from being raped and kills her attacker, she faces a death penalty.

Christianity teaches that all are children of God through faith. All believers are one in Jesus Christ, therefore there is no difference in the value of men or women.

²⁶So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3: 26-29)

The Holy Bible says that husbands are to love their wives the way that Jesus Christ loves the church (his followers) and wives are to respect their husbands. Although the Holy Bible declares that husbands are the head of the household, it does not diminish women’s value. It acknowledges the valuable contributions of women. It respects the desires of women.

²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Ephesians 5: 25-28)

²⁹After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰for we are members of his body. ³¹“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” ³²This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5: 29-33)

The Old Testament scriptures describe a woman of noble character. She has strength and dignity. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction. She oversees the household. She works with eager hands. She makes her own decisions. She is able to earn money. She is able to buy and own property. Her trading is profitable. She helps the poor. Her children arise and call her blessed. Her husband praises her because she is an honorable woman who loves the Lord. (read Proverbs 31: 10-31)