Compare And Contrast Christianity And Islam

Islam and Christianity

Over the course of time there have been many subjects and topics that divides the masses, sometimes to a point that they have caused war. Among those many segregating topics, is one that is rather shocking, considering the fact that it’s general goal is to create peace and understanding: religion. Though there are many, many religions, for the purpose of this essay Islam and Christianity will be the focus. The similarities (and even the dissimilarities) in the origins, various symbols and structures, and the pillars important to each religion will be discussed. Examination of these topics will bring better understanding to both Islam and Christianity; not to prove that one is better than the other, but to lead to the

In order to maintain that “way of life” and upkeep the statutes of the Islamic faith, there have been, over the course of time, many structures built. Two of the most important structures to Islamic culture are the Kaaba, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The word “kaaba” literally means cube—this essentially describes the shape of the structure itself. It was built from a type of blue-grey stone from the areas surrounding Mecca (Sayre, 138). According to Sayre’s Discovering the Humanities, the Kaaba is not only stationed in the center of the Haram Mosque(in the heart of Mecca), but is considered by Muslims to be the center of the planet, universe, and is the epicenter of the Islamic faith (138). A separate structure, also very important to the Islamic faith, is the mosque, which were designed to replicate aspects of the original mosque and home to Muhammad, became more than just a place for worship—they also served as a place to communicate and educate people on Islamic faith, mathematics, poetry, and astronomy. The same way Muslims show reverence for the Kaaba, Christians show reverence for the cross that served as the initial resting place of Jesus Christ. For Christians, this respect shown to the cross has more to do with our God’s commitment to clearing us of our sins and the awe of the abuse Christ had to endure in order to free us from those things. The

The importance of praying in the direction of the Qibla is paramount in the Islamic faith; it is said that Muslims prayer toward the Kaaba because it is “…[t]he oldest center of monotheism. It is the house built by the hands of the Pillar of Monotheism, Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) and was the center of attention of all the Prophets and guides of Monotheism, which is why turning towards this center of Monotheism means turning towards Allah (“The Ka’aba, The House of Allah”).” The Kaaba is important to Hajj because it is a requirement for each Muslim to visit Mecca in order to worship Allah in the place where the Islamic faith got its beginning. Similar to Islam, Christianity upholds prayer, fasting, alms, community, and education as important aspects of the religion. It would seem that Islam and Christianity have a lot in common, as the items listed as important to Islam are also important in Christianity. In many ways, certain sects of Christianity are a lot more relaxed than Islam on the requirements of their faith and what it takes to be considered a Christian. For instance, there is no set number of times or specific direction in which one should pray. Some pray every night, others every few days, and a few (if they are apart of a Holiness church, for instance) pray as much as, if not more than, the number of times a Muslim would pray, wherever and however they would like to