Historical Origins and Background
Both Christianity and Islam are religions of the Abrahamic tradition, and can thus trace their shared roots back to the Prophet Abraham and his descendants. Christianity emerged in the 1st century CE as a movement within Judaism, a Abrahamic faith that had existed for centuries. Seen as a breakaway sect compared to the orthodox Jewish tradition, Christianity saw the Jewish God as having a son, Jesus, and would eventually become a distinct religion claiming millions of adherents. Islam broke away from Judaism in the 7th century CE, founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the Arabian Peninsula. It seeks to return to the monotheistic faith of Abraham, claiming that it is the original and true interpretation of divine will passed down through Abraham’s descendants.
Scriptural Source
Christianity’s scriptural source is the Bible, composed of two separate texts – the Old Testament, written long before Jesus was born, and the New Testament, which documents Jesus’s life, teachings, and eventual death and resurrection. Islam’s scriptural sources come from the Qur’an and Hadith, which function as holy texts as well as legal and moral frameworks for Muslims. The Qur’an is seen as the literal word of Allah, whereas the Hadith consists of the teachings and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad that reinforce and expand upon the Qur’an’s teachings.
Theology
Christianity is a monotheistic faith and believes that God is the father, son, and holy spirit all in one, in a single trinity. Jesus is seen as the divine son and Christ, and is believed to have died and ascended to heaven to unite humankind with the divine through his death and resurrection. Islam is also monotheistic and believes in the single god Allah, with no equal or partner. There is also a belief in absolute divine power and destiny, that Allah has predetermined all events in the universe as part of his will.
Practices and Rituals
The practices and rituals of Christianity and Islam differ significantly. Christianity revolves mainly around the sacraments, such as communion and baptism, and services of worship at church, with followers engaging in prayer, confession, scripture-reading, and singing hymns. Islam is largely centered around the five pillars – faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and Hajj – and the observance of religious holidays like Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Philosophical Differences
One of the major philosophical differences between Christianity and Islam is in their understanding of sin. Christianity defines sin as an act of rebellion against God, based on a moral and ethical framework. On the other hand, Islam defines sin as any act that deviates from Allah’s will, regardless of morality or ethics. This could include not just intentional wrongdoing, but also ignorance of Allah and his teachings.
Social and Political Impact
The respective practices and beliefs of Christianity and Islam have shaped societies around the world, both in the present day and in the past. Christianity has created large geographic divisions in Europe, and its beliefs have had a major impact on the development of modern western democracies. Islam, on the other hand, has created a powerful unitary and spiritual identity in many Middle Eastern countries, as well as a shared sense of justice and morality.
Gender Roles
There is a marked division between how Christianity and Islam view gender roles. Christianity typically views and treats women as equal to men, in both their roles in the home and in secular society. In contrast, Islam views women as the secondary gender, and prescribes that they obey their husbands and remain within the confines of the family home.
Arts and Music
The music and art of Christianity and Islam both reflect their philosophical and theological foundations. Christian music is largely composed of hymns and spirituals, often featuring themes of redemption and salvation. Islamic art often features Islamic motifs and symbolism, such as the crescent moon and star, and incorporates the script from the Qur’an.
Prosperity and Wealth
The outlooks of Christianity and Islam on the accumulation of wealth and prosperity vary significantly. Christianity typically views riches as a test of faith, as followers must use their riches for the benefit of others and not for personal gain. Islam has a more lenient approach, seeing wealth as a gift from Allah, which may be used for personal pursuits such as luxury and comfort, so long as its use remains within the framework prescribed by the Qur’an.
Punishment and Retribution
Punishment and retribution are two areas of significant distinction between Christianity and Islam. Christianity prescribes a doctrine of forgiveness and kind-heartedness, believing that non-believers can be reached with gentleness and understanding. While this is also true of Islam, believers in Islam are obligated to take measures of justice if those around them act out of line with the teachings of Allah. These punishments may include physical retribution, such as lashing or even death, for those who have seriously transgressed against the faith.
