Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. As a monotheistic faith that originated in the Middle East, Islam holds many beliefs and practices in common with Judaism and Christianity.
Judaism, Islam and Christianity are collectively known as "Abrahamic religions" because they trace their history to the covenant God made with Abraham (PBUH) in the Hebrew Bible.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) met both Jews and Christians during his lifetime, and Islam has come into frequent contact with both of its fellow monotheistic faiths throughout most of its history.
As a brief guide of the similarities and differences of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, the following chart compares the statistics, origins, history and religious beliefs of these three great monotheistic faiths.
Please note that, as with all charts of this kind, the information is oversimplified and should not be used as a sole resource.
Comparison of Statistics and BasicsIslam adherents called Muslims
current adherents 1.57 billion (as of October 2009)
current size rank 2nd largest
major concentration Middle East-North Africa, Asia
sacred text Qur'an (Koran)
other written authority Hadith (prophet Muhammad hadith and practices)
religious law Sharia
clergy there is no rahbaniyya (clergy)
house of worship mosque
main day of worship Worshiping is mandatory everyday 5 times, but Friday has a main special prayer
Religion and state integrated
Judaism adherents called Jews
current adherents 14 million
current size rank 12th largest
major concentration Israel, Europe, USA
sacred text Torah
other written authority Talmud, Midrash, Responsa
religious law Halakhah
clergy rabbis
house of worship synagogue
main day of worship Saturday
Religion and state integrated
Christianity
adherents called Christians
current adherents 2 billion
current size rank largest
major concentration Europe, North and South America
sacred text the Bible (Old Testament + New Testament)
other written authority church fathers, church councils, papal decrees (Catholic only)
religious law Canon Law
clergy priests, ministers, pastors, bishops
house of worship church, chapel, cathedral
main day of worship Sunday
Religion and state separate
Comparison of Origins and HistoryIslam date of revelation start 610 CE
place of start of revelation in Mecca (presently in Saudi Arabia)
God Revelation to: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
original language(s) Arabic
early expansion within 12 years, entire Arabian peninsula; within 100 years, Muslim world stretched from the Atlantic to China
Judaism date of revelation approximately 3300 years ago
place of first revelation Sinai
God revelation to: the Nation of Israel as a whole
original language(s) Hebrew
early expansion little expansion; started in Egypt then migrated to Cana'an and all over the world.
Christianity date founded c. 33 CE
place founded Israel and Rome
God revelation to: Prophet Jesus (PBUH)
original language(s) Aramaic, Greek
early expansion within 60 years, churches in major cities in Palestine, Turkey, Greece and Rome.
Comparison of Religious BeliefsIslam
Type of theism strict monotheism
Ultimate reality one God
Name of God: God (Allah in Arabic)
Other spiritual beings angels and demons
Revered humans prophets, Ulama'a
Believing in all prophets and messengers is a must to be a Muslim
Identity of Jesus true prophet of God, whose message has been corrupted
Birth of Jesus virgin birth
Death of Jesus did not die, but ascended into heaven during crucifixion
Resurrection of Jesus denied
Second coming of Jesus affirmed
Divine revelation through Gabriel (The Holy Spirit) to Muhammad (PBUH), recorded in Qur'an
View of sacred text inspired, literal word of God, inerrant in original languages
Human nature equal ability to do good or evil
Means of salvation correct belief, faith, good deeds, and practicing the Five Pillars of Islam
God's role in salvation predestination
Good afterlife eternal paradise
Bad afterlife eternal hell for disbelieving, and temporary purgatory for believers with sins
Judaism Type of theism strict monotheism
Ultimate reality one God
Names of God: YHVH along with 73 titles, in daily conversation is referred to as HaShem
Other spiritual beings: angels
Respects humans prophets
Believing in all prophets and messengers is not required to be a Jewish
Divine revelation was through the Nation as a whole, not one individual
View of sacred text views vary
Human nature two equal impulses, one good and one bad
Means of salvation belief in God, good deeds
God's role in salvation divine revelation and forgiveness
After death: no established dogma but loose ideas of what might happen including; a period of soul cleansing after which the soul returns to HaShem to wait for the world to come or possible reincarnation to allow the soul to become closer to HaShem
Christianity
Type of theism Trinitarian monotheism
Ultimate reality one God
Names of God: Yahweh, Jehovah, El Shaddai, the Holy Trinity, etc. (There are tons of names for God)
Other spiritual beings angels and demons
Revered humans saints, church fathers
Believing in all prophets and messengers vary: some prophet only required
Identity of Jesus Son of God, God incarnate, savior of the world
Birth of Jesus virgin birth
Death of Jesus death by crucifixion
Resurrection of Jesus affirmed
Second coming of Jesus affirmed
Divine revelation through Prophets(PBUT) and Jesus(PBUH) (as God Himself), recorded in Bible
View of sacred text inspired, some believe inerrant in original languages
Human nature "original sin" inherited from Adam - tendency towards evil
Means of salvation correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone)
God's role in salvation predestination, various forms of grace
Good afterlife eternal heaven
Bad afterlife eternal hell, temporary purgatory (Catholicism)
Belief about God. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, namely they believe that there is only one God. Jews and Muslims greatly stress the oneness and unity of God. The affirmation of the oneness of God by Christians is sometimes misunderstood, because Christians believe that the one God is triune (the Holy Trinity). However, this is not a denial of monotheism but an affirmation of the complexity of the Divine Being.
All three religions believe that this God is the origin and source of all that exists. God cares about the entire creation and desires the well-being of all. God is just and has provided basic rules for our guidance so that we may be good and righteous, according to God's intention. God is also merciful; by means of God's grace we are given strength to be more like what we ought to be.
Children of Abraham: Understanding human beings The three religions believe that human beings are the highest creatures here on earth. God created us full of mystery, which means potential for continuous growth, both as a species and as individuals. We are capable of both good and evil. When we grow in goodness, righteousness, and love we become more like what God intended human goodness to be. When we abuse our freedom and do harm to other people, ourselves, and the environment it means that we are going against God's plans as we become evil-doers. Each person is capable, with God's help, to turn away from evil, repent, and do good. We owe God our devotion, glorification, and obedience.
The Future No matter how difficult the past and present may be, the three religions are hopeful about the future. Evil and suffering cannot ultimately prevail. God has provided a condition (or state of being) for which our three religions have different names. This future will bring about God's unchallenged rule; unconditional bliss for all who live with God.
Divine Human Encounter The three Abrahamic religions believe that God and human beings can and should communicate with each other. By revelation God communicates to people, among which the most important are revelation through prophets. These revelations are recorded in the Holy Scriptures of each religion. While the Holy Scriptures of the three religions are not the very same, nevertheless the younger two religions acknowledge God's truth as found in the previous religions, and encourage respect to the Holy Books. While each of the three religions does not merely focus on one set of writings, the key Scripture of Judaism is the Torah, the key Scripture of Christianity is the Bible, which consists of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament, and the key Scripture of Islam is the Qur'an.
The duty of people is to read or listen to God's Holy Writings and to respond with prayer, praise, and with an appropriate acceptance of God's commandments in our life-style.
God's Guidance God did not leave us without guidelines for behavior. God provided us with sound basic rules to live by as well as a rational mind to learn how and when to apply those rules to our everyday life. All three religions, for example, abhor murder, the arbitrary killing of innocent people. Likewise, God wants us to be telling the truth and not to take from others what rightfully belongs to them. We are to respect the dignity of every person and help especially those who are not capable of helping themselves, such as widows, orphans, and the poor. All three religions believe in a variation of the Golden Rule. All three religions foster modesty, moderation, and honest work.
All three religions closely link religion and morality. Religion is to be manifested by showing concern for the well-being and dignity of others, in a life of service to others, and in personal and social ethical behavior.
View of fellow Abrahamic religions- per Islam: Jews and Christians are respected as "People of the Book," but they have wrong beliefs and only partial revelation.
- Per Judaism: .Islam and Christianity are valid paths for non-Jews.
- per Christianity: Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion.
Judaism (the religion of Jews), Christianity and Islam (the religion of Muslims) are sometimes referred to as
Abrahamic religions, because all three religions teach that Abraham was the patriarch and ancestor of the Jews and Arabs. Followers of all three religions believe in the same God, although Christians also believe that Jesus was the son of God, while Muslims believe that Islam's founder, Muhammad, was the last and greatest prophet. Jews, Christians and Muslims share more than just a great deal of theology. In their non-fundamentalist forms, Judaism, Christianity and Islam teach high moral values and ethical living.
All are teachings of God/Allah that were revealed to us once again through their respective Prophets/Messengers. On careful study and understanding of each/all these religions one can see that all share common values and teachings.