Muslims, Jews and Christians agree in the worshipping of one God or monotheism. Jews and Muslims do not accept the deity of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. While this is fundamental basis for the Christian faith, however the topic is direct at what is God verse what is Allah in respect of Muslim and Christian faith texts rather than the who is God or Allah.
Muslims and Christians view Jesus Christ as the Son of God as well as the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity in vastly different light and needs to be discussed in order to obtain a true picture in the light of making the best decision for each person individual status in Paradise. Yet I feel including this in this discussion would not justify the vast subject matter already proposed moves to the Who and not the What, that needs to be addressed first in order to understand the Who. Thus with respect the deity of Christ and the doctrine of the Holy trinity can be discussed separately.
Islam requires all to submit to Allah according to the prescripts in Muhammad’s revelation called the Quran. Allah is the lord of the Kaaba ( The big black square structure Muslim pilgrims to Mecca walk around seven times and kiss the black meteorite stone) and god of the city of Mecca and Allah alone may be worshipped.
This statement of Islamic tradition is filled with problems for me as a Christian, however in fairness to Islam, Christianity does agree with Muslims that both Gods and Allah are viewed as eternal and self-sustaining, who created all things, seen and unseen. His essence is self evident in creation, He hold us accountable for our deeds or sins, who amazes those who have hardened hearts to the errors of there ways, His attributes include among others, compassion, mercy and justice and who does not depend on man and has no need for anything.
The Quran says in Surah 29:46 the God of the Bible is the same as Allah of the Quran, further there are a number of Suarah’s that call Muslims to respect the books (Bible) set down before the Quran. (Surah 5:36-38, 35:31, 3:3, 12:111, 29:46, 10:37, 5:66, 2:113, 3:78-79, 16:43, 5:68, 9:30, 10:94 are some of the key passages.) Yet there is little if no peace between the two faiths.
Logic tells us there can only be one truth and since both Muslims and Christian believe in the hereafter, a life of eternity with God or Allah, it is important we make the correct choice as both faith agree submitting to a false god is as good as a first class ticket to hell. In the same manner giving godly attributes to a false god wins us no favor with God. This is seen in Exodus 32:4-5 when the Israelites fashioned and worshipped a golden calf. The Quran supports idol worship as an unforgivable sin. (Surah 4:48, 31:13, 4:116) and there are other common grounds but let’s get to the discussion at hand.
As a Christian I believe that the God of the Bible is the One True God, below is my reason for believing this and thank you in advance for your consideration and look forward to your comments.
A. Origin.
Islamic source show that Allah was one of many pagan gods in Mecca prior to Muhammad’s revelations of the Quran that were worshiped at the Kaaba (The Kaaba is the square structure in Mecca Muslim pilgrims walk around seven time and kiss the black meteorite stone, which is reminiscent and remains from this period) Not must be made that three goddess were taken as daughter of Allah and worshiped as intercessors, al-Lat, al-Uzza and Manant. (Ibn al-Kalbi’s ‘Kitab al-Asnam-The Book of Idols, see chapter ‘Al-Uzza.)
Muhammad himself seemed reluctant to use the name Allah exclusively as it seldom used early Sunah’s. however after migration the qibla (direction of prayer) was change from facing Jerusalem to Mecca did Allah become the unmistakable identity of the Islamic god.
Idolatry from a Christian perspective is a no no and is made clear as the second commandment. Exodus 20:3-6 “You shall have no other gods before me.“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands[b] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
The God of the Bible is the uncreated Creator who created the universe and everything in it. To prove the origin of god is beyond human comprehension and if this could be done would pose the question of why do humans need any god. God is simply the I Am who is there and offers us His love as a true Father love his children. Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Question:- your choice a god refined from pagan worship with all the associated baggage or the God of Love that has existed before time and offers you the in-comprehendible love of a Father.
B. There are many differences:-
a. Names of God. Both the bible and the Quran use multiple names for god. The most important one in the bible is YHVH in Hebrew translated as Jehovah. This name is mentioned in some 6,521 time in the Bible, a book written of 1300 years of continued prophecies.
The Quran revealed in a mere 23 years has 99 diferent names for Allah, yet not one of them is YHVH or Jehovah.
Question: if our Gods are one and the same why is the most important name for God nowhere to be found in the Quran.
b. Plural verses Singular. The Hebrew word for God is also “elohim” the im at the end shows it is a plural and is used approximately 2,500 times in the Bible.
Allah is singular and again raises the question if the Quran teach revelations sent down before it are true why the inconsistency?
c. The God of the City. The god of the bible is inextricably linked to the city of Jerusalem. Until such time as Jesus Christ facilitates universal access directly to God. (Deuteronomy 12:5-7 and John4:21-24)
With reference to the Quran Surah 27:91 - [Say, O Muhammad], "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [those who submit to Allah ]
The Question is since Christ crucifixion and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit Christian have direct access to Gods throne room and thus no longer require a temple to worship God. Why would God now change his mind and go back to temple worship? Not to mention this new temple is not even in the land of the Jews Gods promised people so how would recondition and forgiveness of sins occur?
d. Ultimate Revelation. Both Islam and Christianity agree and believe God has revealed himself many times through history. They also agree that it all concludes in a final revelation. According to Islam this is revealed as a book the Quran through Muhammad. According to the bible and its prophecies it is God Himself. The God of the bible is personal and relational (Genesis 3:8-9 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool[c] of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”)
God of the bible is inseparable in His final revelation and seek our love and worship through relationship in eternity. This is not so with the god of Islam, his final revelation is a book of this world and not eternity.
e. Purpose in Creation. The Quran teaches we are created to be no more than slaves to Allah. (Surah 52:56 And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. Surah 19:93 There is none in the heavens and the earth but cometh unto the Beneficent as a slave.)
The God of the Bible created us to become his Chrildren. The revelation of God the Father is not only absent from the Quran it is expressly reject by Islam. An it is in this revelation, A God of Love, the love of a Father to be enjoyed in eternity and not life filled fear and uncertainty with the stark prospect to be an eternal servant that requires the Islamic faith to consider.
C. The All Knowing God.
The omniscience of God of the bible is proved from foreknowledge. Much of the bible prophecies concerns events in the future, the fact these were spoken in advance is proof that God is all knowing. Isaiah spoke of Jesus atoning death seven hundred year before the event. See Isaiah 53. Daniel Jesus coming, His rejection and the destruction of the Temple. See Daniel 9. Jeses prepared His disciples by speaking of His death ahead of time. See Mathew 16:21
The god of the Quran deals with events after they happen. When Muhammad exceeded his quota of wives. Surah 4:3 namely four, only then was Surah 33:50 revealed, after the event. When Muhammad permitted his adopted son to divorce his newlywed wife so the he could marry her, the revelation of Surah 33;37 came after the event. When Muhammad broke his oath concerning Mary the copt an opportune revelation came after the event permitting him to break his oath.
Surly it would be more credible if these extraordinary events had been foreseen and condoned ahead of time.
D. All Powerful.
Both the Quran and the God of the bible make this claim to be omnipotent. However Islam has a different understanding as what this power is and how it is to be used. Islam understands “all powerful” as being unlimited by any quality of god. Islam goes beyond the belief that nothing is impossible for God or to difficult. Surah 76:1-4 to a belief that there is nothing he is tied to perform, nor can any injustice be supposed in him or be under any obligation to any person what so ever. Al-Ggazzali, Gerhard Nehls, p22
Allah is not bound to tell the truth, not keep his promises. He can do what he has promised not to do, and refrain from doing what he has promised to do. He can change his mind any time (as implied by Surah 13:39) He can revoke the Quran or part of it and replace it with something else (Surah 17:89). He can condemn to hell those who have faithfully obeyed him, and admit to paradise those who have persistently disobeyed him Mitshakatul Masabih, vol 3, page 761)
Compared to the God of the Bible who is eternally true to Himself, who dose not exercise power randomly or unpredictably, but keeping with his own character. He does not change (Malachi 3:6) and in Him is no shadow of turning, the same today, yesterday and tomorrow 9Hebrews 13:8). The biblical sense of “all powerful” includes the power to surrender sovereignty (Genesis 1:26-28, Psalm 8:5-8) and to bind Himself in covenant relationship with those who remain faithful. All powerful to god of the bible means He that God will not act against His own nature. (2 timothy 2:12)
E. Allah wills all things.
The Islamic concept of Allah’s power leaves no room for the responsibility and free will of man. Surah 9:51 and Surah 57:22. This has dramatic implications in respect of human suffering it is because Allah has willed it. With regard to salvation we have no control as Allah has willed it. With regards to sin and human accountability Allah has expressly willed it.
How it this compared to the God of the Bible. Man has been given authority over the earth and is held fully responsible for all the misery that has result from our poor choices in been disobedient to God. Gods will is not disobedience but freedom. Freedom is a precondition of Love and since God is Love , and he has created us in His image (Geneses 1: ) with the capacity to love and for a relationship based on love. By making us free to chose God created the potential for sin. Thus sin is the price god pays for our freedom to love him.
Despite the consequences of mans rebellion, God continues in all things to work for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8) The harmony between creature and perfection is only possible in a condition of perfect unity between God and man. Sin disturbs this relationship. God’s redemptive work though out history is designed to deal with sin absolutely and restore man to Himself.
F. Merciful and Just
A phrase use 113 times in the Quran is “most merciful and most compassionate” besides been merciful and compassionate Allah is also just. (tract entitled “The Concept of god in Islam”, published by the Islamic Propagation Center International, Durban south Africa, undated)
a. If I asked how many sins should I forgive to be most merciful, I am sure you will agree all of them or 100%. Is Allah rightly described as most merciful when there are many sins he does not forgive
How many sins must I forgive to be absolutely just? Surly 1% is too many. You see the problem to be merciful you must be able to forgive but to be just you must receive exactly what you deserve that means justice and mercy are on too different end of the scale and cannot be measured out without the expenses of the other. Islam dose not a solution to this imbalance.
However the God of the bible promises that he will forgive your sins 100%, in fact every persona sin in the world. Jesus has become the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2). You see the debit of our sin has been paid on the cross, and it is only on the cross mercy and justice coexist as absolutes within a single godhead. This is the basis for Christian monotheism expressed as the love of the father will to sacrifice His son for his creation. Foreseen in the sacrifice in Genesis 21 of Abraham and Isaac and proclaimed in John 3:16.
b. If every instance of misery and suffering is expressly willed and decreed by Allah how does this make him compassionate? Thus if every sin is by the predetermined will of Allah then no one is responsible and thus no need for mercy. For the same reason if sin is ordained by Allah there is no need for Allah to forgive for committing those sins except himself.
c. The day to day application of sharia (Islamic law) does not bear out any of the claims of Allah’s nature. Punishment is only just when metered out fairly and equally. Arbitrary disproportionate punishment proves injustice rather than justice. Cutting off hands and feet for minor offence like theft compared with random forgiveness of major transgressions is injustice not justice. The Quran promises eternal damnation and humiliating punishment for apparently minor crimes like annoying the prophet (Surah 33:35), while at the same time legitimizing systematic rape of women captured in war (Surah 4:24).
In summary The God of the Bible is Love and desires a relationship with his children. While the god of the Quran is unpredictable, is the author of all misery and pain, and has created mankind to be slaves and servants and has predetermined you fate in paradise, by removing your free will.
Regards Doug
Muslims and Christians view Jesus Christ as the Son of God as well as the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity in vastly different light and needs to be discussed in order to obtain a true picture in the light of making the best decision for each person individual status in Paradise. Yet I feel including this in this discussion would not justify the vast subject matter already proposed moves to the Who and not the What, that needs to be addressed first in order to understand the Who. Thus with respect the deity of Christ and the doctrine of the Holy trinity can be discussed separately.
Islam requires all to submit to Allah according to the prescripts in Muhammad’s revelation called the Quran. Allah is the lord of the Kaaba ( The big black square structure Muslim pilgrims to Mecca walk around seven times and kiss the black meteorite stone) and god of the city of Mecca and Allah alone may be worshipped.
This statement of Islamic tradition is filled with problems for me as a Christian, however in fairness to Islam, Christianity does agree with Muslims that both Gods and Allah are viewed as eternal and self-sustaining, who created all things, seen and unseen. His essence is self evident in creation, He hold us accountable for our deeds or sins, who amazes those who have hardened hearts to the errors of there ways, His attributes include among others, compassion, mercy and justice and who does not depend on man and has no need for anything.
The Quran says in Surah 29:46 the God of the Bible is the same as Allah of the Quran, further there are a number of Suarah’s that call Muslims to respect the books (Bible) set down before the Quran. (Surah 5:36-38, 35:31, 3:3, 12:111, 29:46, 10:37, 5:66, 2:113, 3:78-79, 16:43, 5:68, 9:30, 10:94 are some of the key passages.) Yet there is little if no peace between the two faiths.
Logic tells us there can only be one truth and since both Muslims and Christian believe in the hereafter, a life of eternity with God or Allah, it is important we make the correct choice as both faith agree submitting to a false god is as good as a first class ticket to hell. In the same manner giving godly attributes to a false god wins us no favor with God. This is seen in Exodus 32:4-5 when the Israelites fashioned and worshipped a golden calf. The Quran supports idol worship as an unforgivable sin. (Surah 4:48, 31:13, 4:116) and there are other common grounds but let’s get to the discussion at hand.
As a Christian I believe that the God of the Bible is the One True God, below is my reason for believing this and thank you in advance for your consideration and look forward to your comments.
- What is God? God is Love. 1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. This passage forms the basis of my premise and my view of God. In understanding the Love of God I believe on has no other option as to accept the Biblical God as the One true God.
- What is Allah? In Arabic the word is a combination of “al” and “ilah” which means “the god”. Yet as Surah 30:30 says - Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by ALLAH. Such creation of ALLAH will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know. say there can be only one god.
A. Origin.
Islamic source show that Allah was one of many pagan gods in Mecca prior to Muhammad’s revelations of the Quran that were worshiped at the Kaaba (The Kaaba is the square structure in Mecca Muslim pilgrims walk around seven time and kiss the black meteorite stone, which is reminiscent and remains from this period) Not must be made that three goddess were taken as daughter of Allah and worshiped as intercessors, al-Lat, al-Uzza and Manant. (Ibn al-Kalbi’s ‘Kitab al-Asnam-The Book of Idols, see chapter ‘Al-Uzza.)
Muhammad himself seemed reluctant to use the name Allah exclusively as it seldom used early Sunah’s. however after migration the qibla (direction of prayer) was change from facing Jerusalem to Mecca did Allah become the unmistakable identity of the Islamic god.
Idolatry from a Christian perspective is a no no and is made clear as the second commandment. Exodus 20:3-6 “You shall have no other gods before me.“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands[b] of those who love me and keep my commandments.
The God of the Bible is the uncreated Creator who created the universe and everything in it. To prove the origin of god is beyond human comprehension and if this could be done would pose the question of why do humans need any god. God is simply the I Am who is there and offers us His love as a true Father love his children. Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Question:- your choice a god refined from pagan worship with all the associated baggage or the God of Love that has existed before time and offers you the in-comprehendible love of a Father.
B. There are many differences:-
a. Names of God. Both the bible and the Quran use multiple names for god. The most important one in the bible is YHVH in Hebrew translated as Jehovah. This name is mentioned in some 6,521 time in the Bible, a book written of 1300 years of continued prophecies.
The Quran revealed in a mere 23 years has 99 diferent names for Allah, yet not one of them is YHVH or Jehovah.
Question: if our Gods are one and the same why is the most important name for God nowhere to be found in the Quran.
b. Plural verses Singular. The Hebrew word for God is also “elohim” the im at the end shows it is a plural and is used approximately 2,500 times in the Bible.
Allah is singular and again raises the question if the Quran teach revelations sent down before it are true why the inconsistency?
c. The God of the City. The god of the bible is inextricably linked to the city of Jerusalem. Until such time as Jesus Christ facilitates universal access directly to God. (Deuteronomy 12:5-7 and John4:21-24)
With reference to the Quran Surah 27:91 - [Say, O Muhammad], "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [those who submit to Allah ]
The Question is since Christ crucifixion and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit Christian have direct access to Gods throne room and thus no longer require a temple to worship God. Why would God now change his mind and go back to temple worship? Not to mention this new temple is not even in the land of the Jews Gods promised people so how would recondition and forgiveness of sins occur?
d. Ultimate Revelation. Both Islam and Christianity agree and believe God has revealed himself many times through history. They also agree that it all concludes in a final revelation. According to Islam this is revealed as a book the Quran through Muhammad. According to the bible and its prophecies it is God Himself. The God of the bible is personal and relational (Genesis 3:8-9 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool[c] of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”)
God of the bible is inseparable in His final revelation and seek our love and worship through relationship in eternity. This is not so with the god of Islam, his final revelation is a book of this world and not eternity.
e. Purpose in Creation. The Quran teaches we are created to be no more than slaves to Allah. (Surah 52:56 And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. Surah 19:93 There is none in the heavens and the earth but cometh unto the Beneficent as a slave.)
The God of the Bible created us to become his Chrildren. The revelation of God the Father is not only absent from the Quran it is expressly reject by Islam. An it is in this revelation, A God of Love, the love of a Father to be enjoyed in eternity and not life filled fear and uncertainty with the stark prospect to be an eternal servant that requires the Islamic faith to consider.
C. The All Knowing God.
The omniscience of God of the bible is proved from foreknowledge. Much of the bible prophecies concerns events in the future, the fact these were spoken in advance is proof that God is all knowing. Isaiah spoke of Jesus atoning death seven hundred year before the event. See Isaiah 53. Daniel Jesus coming, His rejection and the destruction of the Temple. See Daniel 9. Jeses prepared His disciples by speaking of His death ahead of time. See Mathew 16:21
The god of the Quran deals with events after they happen. When Muhammad exceeded his quota of wives. Surah 4:3 namely four, only then was Surah 33:50 revealed, after the event. When Muhammad permitted his adopted son to divorce his newlywed wife so the he could marry her, the revelation of Surah 33;37 came after the event. When Muhammad broke his oath concerning Mary the copt an opportune revelation came after the event permitting him to break his oath.
Surly it would be more credible if these extraordinary events had been foreseen and condoned ahead of time.
D. All Powerful.
Both the Quran and the God of the bible make this claim to be omnipotent. However Islam has a different understanding as what this power is and how it is to be used. Islam understands “all powerful” as being unlimited by any quality of god. Islam goes beyond the belief that nothing is impossible for God or to difficult. Surah 76:1-4 to a belief that there is nothing he is tied to perform, nor can any injustice be supposed in him or be under any obligation to any person what so ever. Al-Ggazzali, Gerhard Nehls, p22
Allah is not bound to tell the truth, not keep his promises. He can do what he has promised not to do, and refrain from doing what he has promised to do. He can change his mind any time (as implied by Surah 13:39) He can revoke the Quran or part of it and replace it with something else (Surah 17:89). He can condemn to hell those who have faithfully obeyed him, and admit to paradise those who have persistently disobeyed him Mitshakatul Masabih, vol 3, page 761)
Compared to the God of the Bible who is eternally true to Himself, who dose not exercise power randomly or unpredictably, but keeping with his own character. He does not change (Malachi 3:6) and in Him is no shadow of turning, the same today, yesterday and tomorrow 9Hebrews 13:8). The biblical sense of “all powerful” includes the power to surrender sovereignty (Genesis 1:26-28, Psalm 8:5-8) and to bind Himself in covenant relationship with those who remain faithful. All powerful to god of the bible means He that God will not act against His own nature. (2 timothy 2:12)
E. Allah wills all things.
The Islamic concept of Allah’s power leaves no room for the responsibility and free will of man. Surah 9:51 and Surah 57:22. This has dramatic implications in respect of human suffering it is because Allah has willed it. With regard to salvation we have no control as Allah has willed it. With regards to sin and human accountability Allah has expressly willed it.
How it this compared to the God of the Bible. Man has been given authority over the earth and is held fully responsible for all the misery that has result from our poor choices in been disobedient to God. Gods will is not disobedience but freedom. Freedom is a precondition of Love and since God is Love , and he has created us in His image (Geneses 1: ) with the capacity to love and for a relationship based on love. By making us free to chose God created the potential for sin. Thus sin is the price god pays for our freedom to love him.
Despite the consequences of mans rebellion, God continues in all things to work for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8) The harmony between creature and perfection is only possible in a condition of perfect unity between God and man. Sin disturbs this relationship. God’s redemptive work though out history is designed to deal with sin absolutely and restore man to Himself.
F. Merciful and Just
A phrase use 113 times in the Quran is “most merciful and most compassionate” besides been merciful and compassionate Allah is also just. (tract entitled “The Concept of god in Islam”, published by the Islamic Propagation Center International, Durban south Africa, undated)
a. If I asked how many sins should I forgive to be most merciful, I am sure you will agree all of them or 100%. Is Allah rightly described as most merciful when there are many sins he does not forgive
How many sins must I forgive to be absolutely just? Surly 1% is too many. You see the problem to be merciful you must be able to forgive but to be just you must receive exactly what you deserve that means justice and mercy are on too different end of the scale and cannot be measured out without the expenses of the other. Islam dose not a solution to this imbalance.
However the God of the bible promises that he will forgive your sins 100%, in fact every persona sin in the world. Jesus has become the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2). You see the debit of our sin has been paid on the cross, and it is only on the cross mercy and justice coexist as absolutes within a single godhead. This is the basis for Christian monotheism expressed as the love of the father will to sacrifice His son for his creation. Foreseen in the sacrifice in Genesis 21 of Abraham and Isaac and proclaimed in John 3:16.
b. If every instance of misery and suffering is expressly willed and decreed by Allah how does this make him compassionate? Thus if every sin is by the predetermined will of Allah then no one is responsible and thus no need for mercy. For the same reason if sin is ordained by Allah there is no need for Allah to forgive for committing those sins except himself.
c. The day to day application of sharia (Islamic law) does not bear out any of the claims of Allah’s nature. Punishment is only just when metered out fairly and equally. Arbitrary disproportionate punishment proves injustice rather than justice. Cutting off hands and feet for minor offence like theft compared with random forgiveness of major transgressions is injustice not justice. The Quran promises eternal damnation and humiliating punishment for apparently minor crimes like annoying the prophet (Surah 33:35), while at the same time legitimizing systematic rape of women captured in war (Surah 4:24).
In summary The God of the Bible is Love and desires a relationship with his children. While the god of the Quran is unpredictable, is the author of all misery and pain, and has created mankind to be slaves and servants and has predetermined you fate in paradise, by removing your free will.
Regards Doug
