What are the Similarities Between Christianity and Islam

Similarities Between Christianity and Islam

Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world and share many similarities and differences. Read on to find out more!

People who follow the Islamic faith are called Muslims and there are around 2 billion Muslims in the

world today.

similarities between Christianity and Islam

People who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ are called Christians and there are around 2.4 billion Christians in the world today.

similarities between Christianity and Islam

What are the similarities between Christianity and Islam?

At first, it seems that the two religions are very different, but there are many similarities between Christianity and Islam. Both religions have a similar place of origin - which is in the Middle East. Christians believe Jesus, who is the son of God was born in the Middle East in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Muslims believe Islam was founded over 1400 years ago in Mekkah, which is known today as Saudi Arabia.

Christians and Muslims believe that there is only one God (unlike religions such as Hinduism). Muslims and Christians also believe that all humans are children of God. This means that both religions are monotheistic - meaning one God. Christians and Muslims believe that the word of their God was revealed to them through prophets, both believe that Jesus was a prophet who performed miracles!

Another similarity between Christianity and Islam is that both religions are Abrahamic religions - meaning that they descended from Judaism and the worship of the God of Abraham. Another similarity is that both religions trace their origins to the two sons of Abraham. For Jews and Christians, it is his second son Isaac, but for Muslims, it is his eldest son Ishmael.

Other similarities between Christianity and Islam are:

They both believe that practising their religion is good for them because it creates harmony and peace.
They believe that Satan is real and tries to tempt people away from God and to commit sins.
They believe that paradise/heaven and hell are real literal places.
Christians and Muslims believe that the body is sacred and should be treated with respect.
They also believe that Jesus was born to Mary, a virgin.
They both believe that family is a foundation of their beliefs, and it has a big impact on society.
Muslims and Christians believe that obeying God creates peace and harmony among people and brings blessings in the life after death.
Both faiths believe that Jesus will return from Heaven.
Both faiths also believe in the afterlife.
Both religions believe that humans will have a day of judgement and will be judged for the lives they lead on earth. For Christians, it determines whether they will go to Heaven or Hell for the rest of eternity. For Muslims, they refer to the afterlife as Akhirah - they will stay in their graves until the end of the world when they have their day of judgement. They will come before Allah (God) and if they have lived a good life they will go to Jannah (Heaven), but if they have lived a bad life they will go to Jahannam (Hell).

What are the differences between Christianity and Islam?

There are many differences between the two religions. Here you can find the main differences:

A key difference is that Christianity is founded on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and those who follow this are called Christians. Whereas, Muslims believe that the word of God and the teachings of Islam are sharedby the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is believed to be the final prophet who taught Allah’s law and revealed the Islamic faith through the angel Gabriel.
Islam views Jesus as a messiah, sent to guide the children of Israel and a messenger of God, not the son of God. Whereas, Christians believe Jesus to be the messiah of the Hebrew scripture (a religious text) and the son of God. Muslims believe that Allah (God) passes messages down to earth through prophets like Jesus and Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and all prophets should be respected, but not worshipped. The vital difference here is that Muslims view Jesus as a human prophet, and do not believe that Jesus is divine.
Christianity and Islam also have different scriptures, which is another word for a religious text. Muslims follow the Quran, but Christians follow the Bible.
The religions have differing beliefs on the Holy Spirit. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is God, but Muslims believe the Holy Spirit is the angel Gabriel.
Similarly, Christians believe in the Doctrine of the Trinity. This means that God exists simultaneously as The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. In Islam plurality of God would be seen as a denial of the belief of one God - Allah.

Why not take a look at this Similarities and Differences worksheet on Christianity and Islam to help your children learn about these religions and understand the key differences and similarities.