Hi everyone. I am Abdul, a Muslim from London. I've been shocked recently by some of the contradictions in the Qur'an - especially around Muhammad's treatment of women. My impression of Christianity is that it's a more compassionate religion, but I know very little about it.
I'd be grateful for some reading recommendations and people's views on the overlaps and areas of difference between the two religions.
Thanks everyone!
Christianity at it's core is all about forgiveness. God forgives us, and so we are to forgive and treat well others.
As for comparisons:
Muhammad was known to take revenge on those who hated him and his message. In Christianity Jesus said:
Luke 6:27 This is what I say to all who will listen to me: Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you.
As a Christian we are encouraged to not fight back at people.
Mat 5:39 But I tell you not to try to get even with a person who has done something to you. When someone slaps your right cheek, turn and let that person slap your other cheek.
and
Rom 12:19-21 Dear friends, don't try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, "I am the one to take revenge and pay them back." The Scriptures also say, "If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads." Don't let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.
To compare Islam with Christianity again. Muhammad was known to carry out horrible punishments. Jesus on teh other hand forgave a woman who people wished to stone to death for sin.
The following are quotes from the Hadith
2.577: Narrated Anas: Some people from `Uraina tribe came to Medina and its climate did not suit them, so Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) allowed them to go to the herd of camels (given as Zakat) and they drank their milk and urine (as medicine) but they killed the shepherd and drove away all the camels. So Allah's Apostle sent (men) in their pursuit to catch them, and they were brought, and he had their hands and feet cut, and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron and they were left in the Harra (a stony place at Medina) biting the stones. (See Hadith No. 234, Vol. 1)
He then ordered to cut their hands and feet (and it was done), and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron, They were put in 'Al−Harra' and when they asked for water, no water was given to them."
The Prophet ordered that their eyes be branded with heated iron bars and their hands be cut off, and they were left at Al−Harra till they died in that state.
Abram, Simon. Islamic Hadith . Kindle Edition.
Now we see what Jesus did, He had compassion:
John 8:3-11 The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses brought in a woman who had been caught in bed with a man who wasn't her husband. They made her stand in the middle of the crowd. Then they said, "Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn't her husband. The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?" They asked Jesus this question, because they wanted to test him and bring some charge against him. But Jesus simply bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. They kept on asking Jesus about the woman. Finally, he stood up and said, "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!" Once again he bent over and began writing on the ground. The people left one by one, beginning with the oldest. Finally, Jesus and the woman were there alone. Jesus stood up and asked her, "Where is everyone? Isn't there anyone left to accuse you?" "No sir," the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, "I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don't sin anymore."
In the Bible, men are taught to love their wives and not be harsh to them. Muhammad was know to allow the beating of women.
Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:28 In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself.
Hope that helps.
