Two sides of the same coin?

16 Sep, 2018 - 00:09 0 Views
Two sides of the same coin? Supreme council of the muslim community in Zimbabwe Chair Sheikh Ishmail Duwa

The Sunday Mail

Religious Affairs Acting Editor
It is a tragic indictment on the politicisation of just about all facets of life that many people readily associate Islam with Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and Isis.
But Islam preaches peace and tolerance – just like Christianity, Judaism and all the other great religions of the world.

There are striking similarities between Christianity and Islam, with both religions tracing back to Abraham/Ibrahim.

Which is why theologians refer to these faiths as Abrahamic religions.

Ibrahim’s son Ishmael has the lineage that gives the world Islam’s founder, Prophet Mohammed (pbuh); while Jesus Christ descends from the lineage of Abraham’s son Isaac.

Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Africa chair Sheikh Ishmail Duwa says there were more similarities than differences between Islam and Christianity.

“We share the same teachings but in different languages. We all believe in doing good for the underprivileged and payment of tithes (zakar) and living a sin-free life. There is only one God and we all come from the lineage of Abraham; that’s why in some countries like Israel, (Muslims and Christians) are worshipping side by side,” says Sheikh Duwa.

The major difference is that Christians believe Jesus Christ is one with God and the Holy Spirit (Holy Trinity), whereas Muslim teachings say Jesus was a prophet like Moses, Adam, Noah, David and Abraham.

Christians teach that Jesus was crucified and God raised Him from the dead on the third day before ascending to Heaven.

On the other hand, Muslims say Jesus was not killed but was taken to Heaven by Angel Gabriel and someone with a face which resembled Him was killed on the cross at Calvary (Al-Imran 54-55).

Another difference is that the word Christianity derives from the founder of the church, Jesus Christ; while Islam means “peace” and was drawn from the teachings of prophets.

Christians believe in the Word of God in the Holy Bible, which has 66 books written by various prophets and apostles under Divine Inspiration.

Muslims read the Holy Q’uran, which is made up of four books of Mohammed, David, Abraham and Jesus.

Sheikh Duwa said Muslims and Christians share 70-80 percent similarities, as both believe in the ultimate Creator who the former refer to as Allah while the latter call Jehovah.

The Holy  Q’uran 112:1-1 says, “Say: He is Allah (God), the One and Only; Allah, the eternally Besought of all…”

In the Bible, Mathew 4: 10 says, “…thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”

Both religions also believe in the Final Judgment, heavenly angels and prophets. However, Christians don’t recognise Prophet Mohammed.

Muslims say Prophet Mohammed’s coming was foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18), which says: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth.

“He will tell them everything I command him.”

In Islam and Christianity, people worship, pray and fast.

They both believe that Jesus will return, although Muslims say He will marry since he ascended to Heaven without a wife.

Muslims and Christians agree on Jesus’ miracle working power. In Islam, the first miracle Jesus performed is Him speaking when just a few days old as he defended Mary’s Immaculate Conception. (The story of Jesus’ birth is contained in the Holy Q’uran Surah 19:16-22.)

Both Christians and Muslims believe taking care of widows and orphans, preaching love and peace, and condemning adultery, theft and murder.

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