Christianity and Islam share both, a historical and theological connection, however they also have some stark differences. Some similarities are quiet obvious such as how many deities they believe in, there are also some quiet obvious differences like the kind of practices they perform, and the scripture they study. Christianity, the religion created in 1st century C. E, developed out of Judaism and speaks of the foundation on the life, death, teachings and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Over one-fourth of the earth’s population are Christ followers, just under onefourth of the earth’s population are Muslim, believers in Allah, and the prophet Muhammad. The Islam religion was established in the 7th century C. E and was believed to be founded by the prophet Muhammad, following the Islam religion basically means ‘surrendering’ or ‘submitting to Allah, which is was what Islam actually stands for. Muslims believe that Allah is the one and only true god which no one can equal or compare to his greatness.
Similarities between the religions are quiet blatant, such as both Christianity and the religion Islam are monotheistic, meaning that they believe in only god. For Christianity its Jesus. For Islam its Muhammad. Although Islam believes the Allah is the one true god, they do not doubt that Jesus was a decedent of the father, Christians too believe Jesus was the decedent of god but also that Jesus is the messiah. Other similarities are a little vague however still follow the same concept, such as the set of rules they must follow to be known as a true saint of that particular religion.
For example, to be a saint of Christianity you must follow the 10 commandments: Believing in no other god, not making idols, do not take the lords name in vain, remember the day of the Sabbath, honor your father and your mother, do not commit a murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bare false witness against your neighbor, and do not covet. To be a saint of the religion Islam you must follow the 5 pillars of Islam: declaration of faith, pray 5 times a day, charity, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to mecca.
Although the 10 commandments and the 5 pillars of Islam seem different they are constructed in a similar way, you must believe in the god of that religion (esus/ Muhammad), you must pray, and you must give to others. Although the similarities are scarce they most defiantly are there. Not only does the Christian and Islamic faith have a similar set of guidelines and are both monotheistic, both religions have a similar origin. Both Christianity and Islam originated in the Middle East, Mecca located in Saudi Arabia, and Jerusalem is in Israel.
As for differences, it ranges to as easy as the scripture they read to their beliefs concerning the good lives and so on. Christians read the Holy Scripture the bible, containing the new and Old Testament, as for the Quran however its scripture is part in English then translated to Arabic, there is no portions of the newer age however. Christians all believe that after death we will be sent to heaven, or hell if you have not repent for your sins. Muslims believe in paradise however and that after you die it is ‘judgement day’ and that will determine if you’re good enough to make into paradise with the enlightened one.
Another difference is the deity they choose to believe in, Christians believe in the deity Jesus, they believe he was the incarnate form of god, a descendent to save once again. Muslims do believe that Jesus was sent by god however they believe the deity Allah or ‘the enlightened one’, they believed that Mohammed was the last and final prophet. Christians believe in the ‘original sin’ meaning that human beings are born sinners, bearing the burden of the ‘Original Sin’ from Adam and Eve.
Muslims however do not believe in the original sin for in the Qur’an Muhammad forgave Adam for his mistake and Muslims believe (according to the Qur’an) no one should be forced to carry the burden of someone else’s sin or mistake because it’s unfair. The Quran says Jesus did not die on the cross, but God made it appear that way to people. Furthermore, the Quran also says that Jesus was ascended to Heaven by God. Most Christians today insist Jesus was crucified and died on the cross, but two days later was resurrected.
Muslims believe that each human being can be called son/daughter of God because he/she was created by God. So there is nothing special or divine about Jesus being called son of God and therefore Jesus should not be worshiped. Trinity is totally rejected. Jesus is neither God, nor Son of God (in the literal sense). Jesus was a human prophet and not divine. In conclusion, Christians and Muslims maybe followers of different prophets (Jesus and Mohammad), believes in different ‘rights and wrongs’, however the connection between the two religions is unmistakable.