Islam, Christianity and Judaism- Basic Comparison.

Name

Judaism
From the Hebrew:Yehudim, ‘Judah’.

Christianity
From the Greek: christos, ‘Anointed’ - referring to Jesus Christ.

Islam
Derived from an Arabic word for ’submission’. Also related to the Arabic word salaam, ‘peace’.

Leader

Judaism
Abraham (First Patriarch, born c. 1800 B.C.)

Christianity
Jesus Christ
(c. 4 B.C. - 30 A.D.)

Islam
Mohammad
(570 - 632 A.D.)

Divisions

Judaism
Several divisions, including Hasidic (Orthodox), Conservative and Reform Judaism. Ethnic groupings include Ashkenazi (The majority) and Sephardi Jews.

Christianity
Three main groups: Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic.

Islam
Two main groups: Sunni and Shia (The division occured due to a dispute as to the legitimate successor of the prophet Mohammed). There is also a mystical/ascetic movement in Islam known as Sufi.

Followers
(2006 Estimate)

Judaism
14 Million;
not every Jewish is Jew!

Christianity
2,100 Million

Islam
1,500 Million, 20% arabs, 80% other nationalities!

Not every arab is muslim!

Nature of God

Judaism
One God (known in English as ‘Yahweh’ or ‘Jehovah’) - “…Hear Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Christianity
One God, who exists in three distinct persons (The Trinity): Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

Islam
One God (Arabic: Allah), who is not a trinity. The Islamic view of God is called strict Monotheism (Quran 112:1).

Holy Book(s)

Judaism
The Hebrew Tanakh, similar to the Christian Old Testament, comprised of the Torah (Hebrew: ‘Law’), Nevi’im (’Prophets’) and Ketuvim (’Writings’).

Christianity
The Bible (from the Greek:Biblos, ‘books’), given by God to man. The Bible writers were inspired by God in their writings. Thus Christians refer to the Bible as the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).

Islam
The Quran or Koran (Arabic: ‘recitation’), revealed to the prophet Mohammed over a period of about 20 years. The Quran is the final revelation given by Allah to mankind.

Jesus Christ

Judaism
An ordinary Jew, not the Messiah nor a divine person.

Christianity
The second person of the Trinity: “…true God from true God” (Nicene Creed), and born of the Virgin Mary.

Islam
A prophet, sent by Allah and born of the Virgin Mary, but not divine (Quran 5:17).

Jesus Christ, The Mission of

Judaism
As Judaism rejects the idea of Jesus as Messiah, his mission is of no relevance.

Christianity
To reconcile Man to God, through his death as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.

Islam
To proclaim the Injil, or gospel. This gospel has been corrupted over time by human additions and alterations.

Jesus Christ, The Death of

Judaism
Jesus was crucified for his claim to be divine.

Christianity
“For our sake he was crucified…he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again…he ascended into heaven…”(Nicene Creed)

Islam
Jesus was not crucified (Quran 4:157), but was raised to Heaven by Allah (4:158).

Holy Spirit

Judaism
Not a distinct person, but a divine power which for example, was given to the Prophets.

Christianity
The third person of the Trinity, truly divine: “….with the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.” (Nicene Creed)

Islam
Identical with the Angel Gabriel, who appeared to the Prophet Mohammed giving him the Quranic text.

Other Traditions

Judaism
The Talmud, an oral tradition explaining and interpreting the Tanakh. It includes the Mishnah - a code of Jewish law.

Christianity
The writings of the early church fathers and ecumenical councils, including the Creeds.

Islam
The Hadith, a collection of traditions/sayings of the Prophet Mohammed. The Hadith functions as a supplement to the Quran, giving guidance to Muslims for daily living.

Examples of Rituals

Judaism
Rituals include the Circumcision of newly born Jewish males, Barmitzvah - a ceremony marking the ‘coming of age’ of Jewish Boys and observation of the Sabbath (Shabat). As in the other faiths, prayer is important. The Jewish prayer book is called the siddur.

Christianity
The Sacraments, including Baptism and Holy Communion(Eucharist). In Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, five more are added, viz: Confirmation (Chrismation), Marriage, Penance, Holy Orders and Anointing of the sick.
Prayer is also an important part of the faith.

Islam
Five important rituals (known as the pillars of Islam):
1. Shahadah - A profession of faith.
2. Salat - Prayer five times daily.
3. Zakat - alms giving.
4. Sawm - Fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj - Pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca.

Sin

Judaism
Humans are born with a sinful nature (Genesis 8:21). Atonement is made through seeking forgiveness from God in prayer and repentance. In addition, the day of atonement (Yom Kippur) is set aside specially for this purpose.

Christianity
We inherit a sinful nature through our common ancestor Adam, who rebelled against God. Jesus Christ atoned for our sins through his death on the Cross (Romans 5:12-17).

Islam
There is no concept of original sin, nor vicarious atonement. All Humans are born sinless, but human weakness leads to sin.

Salvation

Judaism
Through good works, sacrifices and the grace of God. There is no parallel to the Christian view of substitutionary atonement.

Christianity
By grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Islam
Achieved through good works, thus personal righteousness must outweigh personal sin (Quran 23:101-103).

Hell

Judaism
Judaism recognizes the concept of Gehinnom or Gehenna - those who die in sin may suffer temporary punishment, but certain sins merit eternal punishment.

Christianity
A place of everlasting punishment for the unrighteous (Matthew 25:46). There is no crossover between Heaven and Hell.

Islam
A place of torment and fire (Quran 25:65, 104:6-7). In Islam, Hell is known as Jahannam. Jahannam has several levels and a person may not necessarily spend eternity there.

This is just a short list of a few comparrisons

Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you

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Interest (Riba) Prohibited in Islam, Christianity and Judaism

1. Meaning of the word “Riba”

Riba literally means 'to grow; to increase.' Technically, it denotes the amount that a lender receives from a borrower at a fixed rate in excess of the principal. It is of two kinds:
1. Riba Nasi'a - taking interest on loaned money.
2. Riba Fadal - taking something of superior quality in exchange for giving less of the same kind of thing of poorer quality.

In English it is usually translated as “Interest” or “Usury”

2. Prohibition in Islam:

The word “Riba” is used in the Holy Quran 8 times. In 30:39,4:161,3:130, 2:276,2:278 and 3 times in 2:275. The Quran says

“Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (The offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein (for ever).” (Quran 2:275)

“O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah. that ye may (really) prosper.” (Quran 3:130)

“O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, Take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger. But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.” (Quran 2:278-279)

If you are dealing in interest. Please do not expect angels to come down with swords to wage a war against you. It is talking about the severity of the sin. For other sins like alcohol, gambling etc. the Quran says

“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.” (Quran 5:90)

Here the Quran says that intoxicants and gambling are Satan’s handiwork and abstain from it. In the case of Riba (Interest) the Quran does not only say that it’s a sin but it says that Allah (SWT) and his messenger Muhammad (pbuh) will wage a war against. Showing how grave this sin really is. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said :

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) classified it among the seven major sins

"Volume 8, Book 82, Number 840:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." They (the people!) asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What are they?" He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah; to practice sorcery; to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law); to eat up usury (Riba), to eat up the property of an orphan; to give one's back to the enemy and freeing from the battle-field at the time of fighting and to accuse chaste women who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers."

Some Muslims may argue that only the taking of interest is prohibited. But one Sahih Hadith says

“· Hazrat Jabir r.a. has reported that the Messenger of Allah cursed the devourer of usury, its payer, its scribe and its two witnesses. He also said that they were equal (in sin).” (Mishkat-ul-Masabih)

Though there are many hadith which condemn riba (interest) but these two are sufficient for now.

3. Prohibition in the Bible

“Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.” (Deuteronomy 23:19)

“Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.” (Leviticus 25:36)

“If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest” (Exodus 22:25)

Righteous servant of God doesn’t take interest

5 "Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.

6 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or lie with a woman during her period.

7 He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.

8 He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man.

9 He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD. (Ezekiel 18:5-9)

But the violent one will take it

“10 "Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things

11 (though the father has done none of them): "He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor's wife.

12 He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things.

13 He lends at usury and takes excessive interest. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head” (Ezekiel 18:10-13)

Jesus Christ (pbuh) came to fulfill the Law. He said:

“[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mathew 5:17-20)

The Hebrew word used for interest/usury in all these verses is

neh'-shek: which means:

From H5391; interest on a debt: - usury.

Hence, The Quran and Bible both consider interest to be a sin and Muslims, Christians and Jews Should NOT indulge in it.

By: Yahya Ahmed.

Sallam Alaykum / Peace be unto you

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