The Christian And Muslim Similarities

The Christian And Muslim Similarities
64. Say (O Muhammad Sa): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.”

(Reference: Surah Al Imran verse:64)

130. And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

131. When his Lord said to him, “Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!” He said, “I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).”

132. And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya’qub (Jacob), (saying), “O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims – Islamic Monotheism).”

133. Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya’qub (Jacob)? When he said unto his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We shall worship your Ilah (God – Allah), the Ilah (God) of your fathers, Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), One Ilah (God), and to Him we submit (in Islam).”

134. That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn. And you will not be asked of what they used to do.

135. And they say, “Be Jews or Christians, then you will be guided.” Say (to them, O Muhammad Peace be upon him ), “Nay, (We follow) only the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham), Hanifa [Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah (Alone)], and he was not of Al-Mushrikun (those who worshipped others along with Allah – see V.2:105).”

136. Say (O Muslims), “We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and ‘Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).”

137. So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

138. [Our Sibghah (religion) is] the Sibghah (Religion) of Allah (Islam) and which Sibghah (religion) can be better than Allah’s? And we are His worshippers. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir.]

139. Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him to the Jews and Christians), “Dispute you with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. And we are sincere to Him in worship and obedience (i.e. we worship Him Alone and none else, and we obey His Orders).”

140. Or say you that Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob) and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)] were Jews or Christians? Say, “Do you know better or does Allah (knows better…; that they all were Muslims)? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony [i.e. to believe in Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him when he comes, written in their Books. (See Verse 7:157)] he has from Allah? And Allah is not unaware of what you do.”

(Reference: Surah Al Baqara verses:130-140)

Christian Marriage and Muslim Marriage

Christian Marriage and Muslim Marriage

Marriage come in various styles, usually depending on one's religious culture. It could also be based on one's social wing - conservative or liberal. The two distinct kinds of weddings are those of the Muslim marriage and the Christian marriage.

They can be compared in the sense that they both have a strong impact on learning about culture and their differences are so visible. Of the two, the Muslim marriage is celebrated for a longer period while a Christian marriage takes place in a day. The Muslim marriage can take place anywhere and does not have to be in a mosque. The Christian marriage, on the other hand, has to take place in a church although sometimes some modern couples have a beach marriage. Christian marriages are officiated by a priest or a pastor while a Muslim marriage requires only any person who is knowledgeable about Qur'an and its Laws.

In a Christian marriage, the pre-wedding requisite is a marriage proposal by the groom to the bride. A Moslem marriage, in conservative instances, there is a pre-arranged agreement between the parents of the bride and groom. However, there are many instances that a marriage is agreed upon by both marrying parties. A Muslim bride is adorned with expensive jewelry often in 22K gold bracelets, ear rings, and headdress for the wedding shawl. A Christian bride is not much into this, often wearing regular jewelry as enhancement.

In the marriage rites, a Christian marriage is for a few hours, with the bride and groom seated together in front of a priest or pastor. Their marriage vows are solemnized with their replies of "I do " and with the signing of the marriage contract by both parties and their sponsors as witnesses. Even in the reception the bride and groom remain seated together. in the traditional Muslim wedding rite, the husband and wife are in separate rooms with the officiant individually asking them if they consent to the marriage and if they do it with their own free will. A "wali" speaks in behalf of the bride. The officiant's questions are answered three times with the word " qabul " which is Arabic for "I accept"; the marriage contract is also signed with two witnesses. Then the officiant takes them out of the rooms and pronounce them as husband and wife. They remain separated also in the reception.

A Muslim wedding has a pre-wedding rite which involves visits to each of the bride and groom's family homes and their fathers are blessed. The most important rite is the "Nikah" which is the wedding proper. Then, the third rite is the "valima" which the groom hosts on the third day making the bride an accepted member of his family.

home