Religion
Islam and Judaism are two of the oldest religions in the world. Both have common roots, drawing from multiple religious concepts from the Middle East. Most of the time, people talk about the differences between the two religions. It is important for us to understand what similarities or common grounds do these two great religions have. There are a variety of topics that are shared between the two faith systems, but the main topics include religious text, the beliefs about God, and the use of dietary laws to shape religious practices.
Religious Text
The first commonality that Islam and Judaism share is a shared religious text. Muslims practice scripture from the Qur’an which tells the story of the histories of the prophets, the teachings of God, and the way in which one should strive to live their life as a faithful believer. Similarly, Judaism follows the Tanakh, which is composed of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, which preside over the Laws of God, the relationship between human beings and God, and the foundation and set of traditions found within Jewish religion. Despite the differences in how Islam and Judaism interpret the text and how to apply it to everyday life, both religions recognize the importance of the central scripture and utilize the source to form interpretations and develop ethical practices.
Godly Beliefs
Another common belief shared by both religions is the idea of one god. Both Islam and Judaism believe in a single, omnipotent and omniscient divine being. Muslims call God Allah, and worship him as the one and only divine figure who has authority over all other beings. Jews refer to God as Yahweh and similarly worship the single God as the only one with authority and power powerful. This shared belief in one almighty god is a powerful cornerstone between the two faiths.
Dietary Laws
Finally, Islamic and Judaic laws both place a strong emphasis on dietary laws as a way to worship and follow their shared belief. Islam prescribes individuals to eat halal, which are permissible foods, while Judaism prescribes individuals to eat kosher, which are also permissible foods. Halal and Kosher diets include prohibitions and regulations on several food items, like shellfish and pork, as well as special preparation techniques. Both religions believe that following the dietary laws is central to the balance of life and that it is essential to practice these laws in order to draw closer to God.
Spirituality & Prayer
When it comes to religion, both Islam and Judaism also share a sense of spirituality and prayer. Prayer is central to both faiths, with each having its own set of prayers and rituals. Muslims practice salat, which is the daily prayer that includes faces towards Mecca. Judaism has multiple daily prayers, ranging from morning prayers to afternoon and sleeping prayers. Both the Islamic and Judaic prayer must be done seated or standing, acknowledging that one can’t bow down to any being other than God.
Holidays & Festivals
Islam and Judaism also share multiple holidays and festivals. Muslims have holidays such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, while Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Maccabean, and Sukkot hold similar importance to the faith. Ramadan is a major Islamic holiday that occurs annually where Muslims fast and abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. Rosh Hashanah, on the other hand, is the Jewish New Year and a time for people to repent for any transgressions throughout the year.
Morality & Ethics
Islam and Judaism also share common ethics and morality codes. Ideally, Muslims and Jews should act in accordance with values such as truth, fairness, humility, justice and kindness. Both faiths emphasize charity and community involvement, with a goal of creating a better world. Similarly both religions call for peace and equality, believing that all human beings are of equal standing before God.
Scholarship & Education
When it comes to scholarship and education, Islam and Judaism also share a common goal of expanding knowledge and pushing scholarship forward. Both faiths recognize the importance of knowledge and scholarship, encouraging individuals to actively pursue knowledge, study religious texts across various fields such as philosophy, science and literature. This idea of expanding knowledge and understanding has pushed the two faiths to rely on independent and critical thinking to shape the way people live their lives, connecting them to a vast spiritual world.
Social Responsibility
Additionally, both faiths share the idea of social responsibility, which is to demonstrate compassion, fairness, and justice to all members of society, regardless of belief or background. Islam and Judaism both aim to create a world that is fair and just, with an emphasis on helping those in need, advocating for the less fortunate, and promoting programs that provide for basic needs for everyone.
Faith & Practise
Finally, Islam and Judaism share a common understanding of faith and practice. Both religions recognize the importance of faith and practice in the lives of those who follow them. Those who practice their religion should strive to live a life based on principles of the divine and moral truth. This means that both Muslims and Jews should strive to spread goodwill, to work towards a society without violence and oppression and to be kind to all that inhabit this world.
