There are many similarities between Islam, Christianity and Judaism, three of the world’s major monotheistic religions. All three faiths recognize the Abrahamic God, the two-fold covenant of Judaism and Islam, the key beliefs and teachings found within the Bible, and the prophetic lineages of their holy books, the Bible for Judaism, the Qur’an for Islam, and the Old and New Testament for Christianity. Despite the differences between them, there are undoubtedly many similarities between these three faith practices.
One similarity between Islam, Christianity and Judaism is their shared concept of worshipping one God. Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in a single deity. Muslims use the name Allah which Jews and Christians use Yahweh. Jews, Muslims, and Christianity believe that God is all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present. They also believe that God is the creator of the universe and that He provides guidance and compassion to mankind.
The major sacred texts of Islam, Christianity and Judaism are also quite similar. The Bible, including both the Old and New Testaments, is considered sacred scripture to Christians and Jews. Similarly, Muslims accept the Qur’an and other texts as authoritative scripture. The books contain similar messages about faith, morality and human relationships. Additionally, all three religions believe in the importance of prayer and practice rituals of prayer regularly. For example, Muslims pray five times a day, Jews pray three times a day, and Christians vary their prayer practice.
The practices of charity and social justice are central to each of the three Abrahamic traditions. All three recognize the importance of helping those in need, of treating others with dignity and respect, and of loving one’s neighbor. This virtue of compassion is found in the Qur’an, the Bible, and the teachings of Jesus found within the Gospels. Whether it is through zakat (alms-giving), tzedakah (charity), or acts of service, these religious practices encourage those of faith to reach out to those living in poverty, the marginalized and the persecuted.
The final major similarity between Islam, Christianity and Judaism is the concept of monotheism. Each of these religions share the conviction that there is only one God who is perfect and absolute, and who is the source of all creation. This understanding of God allows for the shared value of morality and righteousness. All three faiths emphasize the need to behave with kindness and justice, and to be devoted to the Divine being.
Sacrificial Rites
An additional similarity between Islam, Christianity and Judaism is their practice of offering sacrifices. Judaism and Christianity recognize the ritual of slaughtering animals as a sign of respect and obedience to God. In Islam, Muslims offer animals and other items as sacrifices during Eid ul-Adha, the major celebration of Eid. Sacrifice is an act of devotion in all three religions and emphasizes the commitment to God.
Both Christianity and Judaism practice the rite of circumcision for male infants as a symbol of their faith. This is a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, and is also observed in Islam. Circumcision is a rite of passage in each Abrahamic tradition and indicates that the person has officially become a member of the faith.
Holy Days
A further huge similarity between Islam, Christianity and Judaism is their observation of holy days. Muslims, Jews and Christians all celebrate the Sabbath, although each celebration typically differs from tradition to tradition. Muslims celebrate Ramadan and Hajj, the major pilgrimage to Mecca, while Jews celebrate Passover and Yom Kippur. For Christians, the major feasts are Easter, Christmas, Good Friday and Ascension. All of these holy days are a time of rest and reflection, and emphasize the importance of honor and respect for the divine being.
Holy Sites
The holy sites of Islam, Christianity and Judaism are also quite similar. Muslims observe the Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. For Jews, the holiest sites are the Wailing Wall and the Western Wall. Through our wandering pilgrimages, we can gain a greater appreciation for the teachings of God in each of these faiths. For Christians, the major pilgrimage sites include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Vatican in Rome.
The Role of Jesus
Lastly, Islam, Christianity and Judaism share a similar view of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, and that he was crucified and resurrected. Jews view Jesus as a wise and influential teacher, although they do not accept him as the Messiah. Muslims revere Jesus as one of the greatest prophets of God, although they do not regard him as part of the divine nature as do Christians. Jesus is a revered figure in each of the major Abrahamic faiths.
Haram and Kosher Food
Each of the major monotheistic religions maintain dietary laws related to which foods are permissible to eat. Eating certain foods may be agreed upon in the bible, while others may be prohibited depending on one’s faith. In Judaism, certain foods that are not explicitly mentioned may be categorized as kosher and not kosher. In Islam, there are prohibitions known as haram, which are foods that are not allowed to be consumed by Muslims. Similar to Judaism, Christianity also maintains dietary laws that can affect what Christians can and cannot eat.
Marriage and Divorce
Marriage and divorce are also important practices shared by Islam, Christianity and Judaism. In each of the three Abrahamic religions, marriage is seen as an important, lifelong union between a man and a woman. Monogamy, or one wife for one husband, is the preferred form of marriage for adherents of the three religious traditions. Men and women are seen as being equal partners in the marriage relationship, though often have different roles. Divorce is not encouraged, but is accepted in Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
Ritualistic Practices
Among the three faiths of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, there are also common ritualistic practices. One practice that all three of these Abrahamic traditions share is the act of prayer. Each religion has their own set of prayers, though they may have similar intentions. Similarly, all three religions practice rituals of purification and piety, such as fasting, washing in sacred water, and praying for protection and guidance.
The Abrahamic Connection
Finally, an important aspect of the similarities between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism is the connection between all three faiths through the figure of Abraham. In these religions, Abraham is seen as the father of the faith and his story is recounted in the Bible, the Qur’an, and various Jewish and Islamic literature. Abraham’s devotion to God, as well as his willingness to sacrifice his son, is of particular significance to adherents of all three religions as it speaks to the devotion to God that each expects from its adherents.
