More in common than you think
Islam does not ask you to abandon what Jesus taught. Most of what you already believe is affirmed in the Quran. The differences are few - but they matter.
Both faiths proclaim one God who created the heavens and the earth, who is merciful, just, all-knowing, and who hears prayer.
Isaiah 45:22
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
Quran 2:163
“And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.”
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Job, Zechariah, John the Baptist, and Jesus are all honoured in the Quran.
Hebrews 1:1
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.”
Quran 4:163
“Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Psalms].”
Muslims affirm the virgin birth, the title Messiah, the miracles, the ascension and the return of Jesus. No other faith outside Christianity holds Jesus in such honour.
Luke 1:35
“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Quran 3:45
“… O Mary, indeed Allāh gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allāh].”
Muslims love and revere Mary (Maryam) as the greatest woman who ever lived - chosen, purified, and chaste.
Luke 1:28
“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Quran 3:42
“… O Mary, indeed Allāh has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.”
The Quran names the Torah of Moses, the Psalms of David and the Gospel of Jesus as revelations from God, and calls Jews and Christians 'People of the Book'.
2 Timothy 3:16
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine.”
Quran 5:46
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.”
Both faiths teach resurrection, accountability before God, eternal reward for the righteous and punishment for the wicked - with God's mercy prevailing over His wrath.
Matthew 16:27
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Quran 99:7-8
“So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.”
Gabriel, Michael, the angels, Satan (Iblis) and his whispering, the test of Adam and Eve - all are shared.
Luke 1:19
“I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee.”
Quran 2:97
“Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel - it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down upon your heart, [O Muḥammad], by permission of Allāh, confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers."”
Worship God alone, honour parents, do not kill, steal, commit adultery, lie or covet - every one is commanded in the Quran (17:22-39).
Exodus 20:12-13
“Honour thy father and thy mother... Thou shalt not kill.”
Quran 17:23
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. …”
Jesus prayed, fasted and gave alms, and taught his followers to do the same (Matthew 6). These are three of the five pillars of Islam.
Matthew 6:6
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret.”
Quran 2:183
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous …”
Compassion, forgiveness, honesty, care for orphans and the poor, and justice for all are commanded in both scriptures.
Matthew 22:39
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Prophet Muhammad (Bukhari and Muslim)
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
Every difference below reduces to one question: did Jesus teach what the later Church taught about him? On each point, Islam takes the position that is simpler, that is supported by the plain words of Jesus, and that was held by the earliest generation of his followers.
| Topic | Mainstream Christianity | Islam (and the words of Jesus) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of God | One God in three persons (Trinity). | One God, absolutely one, with no partners, parts or persons (Tawhid). The teaching of Jesus in Mark 12:29. |
| Jesus | God the Son, second person of the Trinity. | The Messiah, a mighty messenger and servant of God, born of a virgin - as he described himself. |
| Human nature | Born with original sin inherited from Adam. | Born pure (fitrah). Adam repented and was forgiven. Each soul bears only its own burden (Ezekiel 18:20). |
| Salvation | Through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus. | Through faith in the One God, sincere repentance, and righteous deeds - with God's mercy (Matthew 7:21, 19:17). |
| Scripture | Bible: 66-73 books, written by many authors over centuries, copies only. | Quran: one book, revealed over 23 years, memorised and preserved verbatim since the 7th century. |
| Final prophet | Jesus is the final revelation. | Muhammad is the final prophet foretold by Moses (Deut 18:18) and Jesus (John 16:13), completing the same message. |
Matthew 4:10. That is Islam: submitting to the One God alone, exactly as Jesus did. Take a moment to see how simple the next step is.