Islam & Christianity
Traditionally, it is seen as if Christianity and Islam have nothing in common. On the contrary, these two religions have more in common than most people, both Christians and Muslims, are aware of.
When Muhammad revolted against the worship of idols in Mecca and told the people that they should worship the God who created the heaven and the earth, he and his followers were persecuted, and about eighty of his followers were forced to go to a Christian nation, namely, Ethiopia. The Christian king of Ethiopia gave these persecuted Muslims a safe haven and took care of them until their country was safe enough to return.
When we closely study the two sacred Books of these two religions, Namely the Bible and the Quran, we find many things that compliment each other. For example, in Sura 5:82 the Quran asserts that Christians are nearest in friendship to Muslims. "...thou wilt find the nearest in friendship to the believers (Muslims) to be those who say, We are Christians. That is because there are priests and monks among them and because they are not proud" Sura 5:82.
Jesus Christ has been mentioned in the Quran numerous times. He is mainly called by the name 'ISA'. Some other names he is referred by are: son of Mary, Messiah, a word from Allah, Spirit, prophet, etc… "When the Angel said: Oh Mary, surely Allah gives thee good news with a word from Him (of one) whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, worthy of regard in this world and the Hereafter, and of those who are drawn nigh (to Allah)" Sura 3:44. Especially when we see the name 'A Word from Allah' it has an amazing similarity to the Bible referring to Jesus as the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...And the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us"' John 1:1, 14. Both Books testify that Jesus is 'The Word sent by God'. When we see the phrase ''worthy of regard in this world and the Hereafter" it also has a striking similarity to what the Bible says about Jesus Christ in Eph. 1:21. "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."
The Quran tells us that Jesus Christ was born from the Virgin Mary and is sinless. In Sura 19:19 we hear the Angel telling Mary about the birth of Christ. "He (the Angel) said: I am only bearer of a message of thy Lord: that I will give thee a pure boy." The word "Pure Boy" is referring to the sinless nature of Jesus Christ. The Bible also tells us the sinless nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15
We read in the Quran, Jesus talking about his birth, death, and resurrection. Sura 19:33 "And peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised to life." The Bible tells us that "God raised him (Jesus) from the dead" Acts 13:30
The Quran also acknowledges the Torah (the Law of Moses), Psalms of David, the writings of the Old Testament prophets, and the Injil (The Gospel of Jesus Christ) as inspired Holy Scriptures from God in which is found Light and Guidance which we should follow. Here are some of the Suras (Verses) from the Quran.
Sura 3:3 "He has revealed to thee the Book with truth, verifying that which is before it, and He revealed the Torah and the Gospel aforetime, a guidance for the people."
Sura 5:47 "And let the people of the Gospel judge by that which Allah has revealed in it, And whoever judges not by what Allah has revealed, those are the transgressors."
Sura 5:44 "Surely we revealed the Torah (the Law of Moses) having guidance and light. By it did the prophets who submitted themselves (to Allah) judge for the Jews and the rabbis and the doctors of law, because they were required to guard the Book of Allah."
Sura 5:46 "And We sent after them in their footsteps Jesus, son of Mary, verifying that which was before him of the Torah; and we gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light, and verifying that which was before it of the Torah, and a guidance and an admonition for the dutiful."
Sura 5:48 "And We have revealed to thee the Book with the truth, verifying that which is before it of the Book and a guardian over it." As these Suras indicate the Quran was not meant to discredit the Bible but to ascertain the reliability of it.
Sura 41:43 "Naught is said to thee (Muhammad) but what was said to messengers before thee." This Sura clearly tells us there was nothing told to Muhammad that was not told to the prophets before him.
Sura 10:94 "But if thou art in doubt as to that which We have revealed to thee, ask those who read the Book (The Bible) before thee." According to this verse Muslims are encouraged to ask Christians concerning the Book (The Bible) which contains Light and Guidance.
Sura 5:68 "Say: Oh! People of the Book (The Bible), you follow no good till you observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which is revealed to you from your Lord." The Bible also gives us the same warning. "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22
The Quran commands that Muslims should believe not in Quran only but in the Torah (Old Testament) and the Injil (the New Testament) also, without making any distinction. Sura 3:83 "Say: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit."
We invite you to read The Book (The Torah and The Injil - The Bible) which the Quran testifies as containing Light and Guidance, for yourself and be the recipient of this Light and Guidance in your Life.
What is the central message of the Injil?
"All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" Romans 3:23. When it says all it includes you also.
The penalty for Sin is to be eternally separated from God. This is called eternal death or going to Hell forever. "For the wages of sin is eternal death." Romans 6:23
God prepared us a way out because he didn't want us to go to hell. It's just like a fire exit in a building that is on fire. As long us there is an exit we don't have to burn in the building. We will only burn if we refuse to believe the exit sign and do not take advantage of what has been offered. The exit God provided to us from this sinful world is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said this in the Injil, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, No one comes to the Father but by me" John 14:6. The Bible also says: "While we were yet sinners Jesus Christ died for our sin" Romans 5:8. This means that Jesus Christ took our penalty and paid the price we had to pay for our sins.
If we accept the way God has prepared for us through Jesus Christ by asking forgiveness for all our sins and accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts by faith, we will have eternal Life, which means we will be with God forever. Jesus said in the Injil: "Behold I knock at the door of your heart, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in" Rev 3:20. Jesus also said, "Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"Oh God! I know that I am a sinner. I believe that you sent to us Jesus Christ the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary to show us the way of salvation. Forgive me of all the sins I have committed from the day I was born until now. I believe, according to the Injil, that Jesus Christ died for my sins and was raised from the dead. Jesus! I open my heart to you and invite you to come in to my heart. I accept you as the Lord of my life. As you are close to God bring me closer to Him and to yourself. Amen".
If you prayed the above prayer, read "what next" and our follow up booklet titled "Receiving Christ".
If you have questions/comments, we want to hear from you.
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