Muslimsand Christians have very much in common; from their views on kindness andcompassion to their end of days narratives of Jesus playing an essential duringthat time. Far from being locked in a clash of civilizations, even a smallamount of knowledge reveals astonishing similarities. However, matters ofdoctrine and belief can at times be startlingly different. Despite this, thereis common ground and several starting points for dialogue and discussion.
Original SinThe story of Adam and Eve exists in both Christianityand Islam. On the surface the stories seem to be the same. Adam is the firsthuman being, Eve is created from his rib, and they lived tranquilly in Paradise. Satan is with them in Paradise; he misguides or tempts them into eating fruitfrom the forbidden tree. But apart from the bare outlines, the stories differgreatly. The Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may themercy and blessings of God be upon him, tell us that Satan did not come to Adamand Eve in the form of a serpent, nor did he trick them into eating theforbidden fruit. Satan misguided and deceived them, and they made a graveerror of judgment. This was not the fault of Eve alone rather Adam and Eveshare the burden of the mistake equally.
At no point in the Quranic story are we told that Evewas the weaker of the two or that she was responsible for the temptation ofAdam. They made the decision together, and sometime later they realized their gravemistake, felt remorseful and begged for God’s forgiveness. God forgave both ofthem. In light of this, we can see that Islam has no concept called originalsin. The descendants of Adam are not punished for their ancestor’s actions. Godsays in the Quran that no one is responsible for another person’s decisions. "…no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden..." (Quran 35:18) Islam has noconcept that a human being could be born sinful. Rather, people are born in astate of purity and naturally inclined to worship God. Their slates are clean;there is nothing for them to be forgiven for or to repent for.
One the other hand, the Christian doctrine of originalsin teaches that humankind is born already tainted by the sins of Adam and Eve. Jesus, they say, was born and did die in order to atone for the sins ofhumankind. If you believe that Jesus’ death expiated your sins, then the doorto salvation is opened to you. Islam rejects this completely. Islam teachesthat Prophet Jesus was sent to the Israelites to affirm the message of all theProphets before him; that God is One, with no partners, associates, or offspring,therefore, there is nothing worthy of worship except Him.
SalvationBecause Islam believes that every human being is bornfree from sin, to remain in this state a person needs only to follow God’scommandments, and try to live a virtuous life. If one falls into sin but then feelsrepentant, he or she should seek God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness should besought directly from God; there are no intermediaries. Quran and ProphetMuhammad tell us that God’s forgiveness is easily attainable. In the authentictraditions we find that Prophet Muhammad said, "God spreads out His hand atnight to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the day, and Hespreads out His hand by day to accept the repentance of the one who sinnedduring the night, (and that will continue) until the sun rises from the west. "[1]
Say, ‘O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (bycommitting evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of God, indeed Godforgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ (Quran 39:53)
Sincere repentance assures forgiveness, and salvation isattained through submission to the will of God. The human being will only findtrue contentment and security when he is able to have hope in God’s mercy andforgiveness whilst fearing the consequences that come from displeasing Him. InIslam staying connected to God is the key to salvation, and Quran tells us thatsincere belief combined with good deeds and behavior will result in eternallife in Paradise.
In Christianity however, salvation is another thingaltogether. It is the death of Jesus Christ that results in salvation. Particularlyin Roman Catholic theology, it is the death of the innocent Jesus, the perfectblood sacrifice, which results in salvation. His death takes away the sins ofall people who accept Jesus as the son of God and believe in his resurrection. Some Christian denominations add that good works and the development of goodmoral characteristics aids in a person’s salvation. Still others require thata person is baptized.
The Crucifixion and Jesus’ ReturnWhilst Islam and Christianity agree that a crucifixiondid take place, they disagree on whether or not Jesus himself was crucified anddied. The idea of Jesus dying on the cross is central to the Christian belief,but it is rejected by Islam. The Islamic belief about Jesus’ crucifixion anddeath is clear. Islam teaches us that Jesus did not die to atone forhumankind’s sins. There was a plot to crucify him, but it did not succeed. Godin his infinite mercy saved Jesus from this humiliation by putting hisresemblance on somebody else and elevating him alive, body and soul, to heaven. The Quran is silent about the exact details of just who this person was, butwe know and believe with certainty that it was not Prophet Jesus.
Christianity and Islam also agree that Jesus will returnto earth. Islam explains that in the days before the Day of Judgement, Jesus willreturn to this world and teach others to believe in the Oneness of God. Hewill be a just ruler, break the crosses, slay the antichrist, then all the Peopleof the Scripture (Jews and Christians) will enter into Islam.
In Christianity Jesus’ return is most often referred toas the Second Coming. There are many differences amongst the Christian denominations,however, most teach that Jesus will return to judge between the living and thedead, (hold the final judgment) and set up the Kingdom of God. Many believethat he will reign on earth for a thousand years, some saying that Jesus’ reignwill begin after he defeats the antichrist.
Footnotes:[1]Saheeh Muslim