"...Those who believe (in the message of Islam), and the Jews, the Sabaeans, and the Christians - all those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and act righteously - no fear shall come upon them..." [5:69]

In setting up the Islamic state, Prophet Muhammad made it inclusive of the Arabian Jews and Christians. Their persons, properties, churches and synagogues were protected, freedom of worship was guaranteed, and they controlled their own community affairs with their own civil and religious laws and courts. For most of the first century of the Islamic state, in fact, the majority of the citizens were Christians, enjoying peace and liberty such as they had not had even under Christian Rome or Byzantium (Constantinople/Istanbul).

Freedom of belief is guaranteed in Islam. It should be very clear that Islam tolerates not only other faiths but even its enemies. This is stated clearly in the Quran: 'Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for Allah loves those who are just.' [60:8] 

There are many similarities between Islam and Christianity but far too often people are too busy looking at the differences to notice. Both faiths have the same prophets and the same message.

Regarding Jesus (sa):

Islam hold the highest respect for Jesus (as). he was the prophet who foretold the coming of Muhammad . Muslims, too, await the second coming of Jesus (as). The Quran confirms his virgin birth, and Mary (ra) is considered to have been one of the purest women in all creation.

As for the differences between Islam and Christianity:

While Christians believe that Jesus (as) was killed on the cross the Quran tells us that it was only made to appear so to them, and Allah raised Jesus (as) up unto himself. I am tempted to ask why the Christians believe that they could kill God (Jesus that is in their view) himself, that I find very difficult to believe that human beings should be able to kill their own creator (even denied in the Bible itself in Ezekiel 28:9 and Acts 5:30), that in my eyes make no sense.

Another difference is that Christians believe all people are born sinful (this goes back to the story of Adam (as)). this is why they believe that to be saved and forgiven it is necessary to be baptised and have faith in the death of Jesus (as). Muslims believe that all people are born free of any sin, all are born pure (furthermore, we believe that every human being is born a Muslim, it is only due to us having parents of other religions that we are brought up as anything else, but alhamdulillah more and more people find their way back to Islam).

Women in Christianity:

While Muslim women are seen as being oppressed and degraded by many from other faiths, then I personally believe that women in Christianity are far more degraded, which I will write a little about here:

Going back to the Garden of Eden and Adam (as) and Eve (ra)

In Islam they are both held accountable for the sin of eating from the forbidden tree. They are both punished and sent to Earth where they are to dwell 'for a while' but Allah (swt) forgave them both as they repented sincerely.

In Christianity it is a completely different story after they eat from the tree. The whole of the blame is put on Eve (ra). Both Adam (as) and God blames Eve (ra). God said to her 'what have you done.....I shall greatly multiply your sorrow. In pain shall you bring forth children and your husband shall rule over you' (Genesis 3:12-16). That sounds very degrading to me.

On to different subjects now...In Leviticus 15:19-30 it says 'if a woman has an issue (menses) don't touch her for 7 days. Whoever touches her shall be unclean. Everything she lies and sits upon is unclean. Whoever touches her bed must bath and wash his clothes. this must be very degrading for the Christian women, they will have to have their own living quarters nearly during their menses times, it must be very lonely for her.. In Islam when a woman has her menses she is exempted from praying and sexual intercourse, but otherwise carries on like normal, her husband is allowed to touch her apart from the area between the navel and knees.

According to the Bible a Christian man can inherit his brother's childless widow even if he is already married and regardless of her consent, so that she might bear him a child (Genesis 38). So much for freedom...In Islam a woman cannot be inherited or wed to someone without her consent.

In Christianity a man who rapes a virgin must marry her and can never divorce her (Deuteronomy 22:28-30). So this in my view means women are like property, she is to see and live with this hated man and is never allowed to forget the horrible experience. How easy it is for a man to look for a beautiful virgin, rape her and make sure someone sees this, then he has her for himself always. Poor woman....

In the Bible it says (Corinthians 14:34) 'let the women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in church'. This is very sad, and I don't understand how the women priests are then allowed, maybe the Bible was changed to fit it...In Islam women used to have debates with the prophet and he would listen to them, women have the same rights to respect as the men, both are equal.

In Christianity it is believed that man is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of man. The man is not of the woman but the woman is of the man. The man was not created for the woman but the woman was created for the man (Corinthians 11:5-10). This tells me that a Christian woman is a slave of man in stead of a slave of Allah .

I can understand why many Christians don't practice their religion, or choose to practise some of it and not all of it. I also wouldn't like to be treated like this. I don't think many Christian women would even know what the Bible say about women, this ignorance is probably also why they look to us Muslim women as being oppressed and degraded, even if we have rights far beyond the Christian women. I am also sure that if the women DID know then there would be far less Christian women and many more Muslim women. It seems that the Bible being changed has made it much worse for it's followers, particularly the women. For more about women in Islam and Christianity please click here for off site flash.

Only one more issue on this page, which is Muhammad in the Bible:

In the old testament: 1001 prophecies about the messiah/Christ. But

Not a single one mentions Jesus (as) by name, Mary (ra) as being the mother or that he will be born in the reign of King Herod.

How to conclude that the 1001 prophecies refer to Jesus (as)???

Deuteronomy 18:18: I will raise up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I  shall command him.

FROM AMONG THEIR BRETHREN:

Muhammad was a descendant of Ismail (as), the son of Abraham (as).

LIKE UNTO THEE:

PUT WORDS IN HIS MOUTH:

'And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying: read this, I pray Thee; and he saith: I am not learned' (Isaiah 29:12). Muhammad was known as the 'unlettered prophet'; he could neither read nor write.

After Deuteronomy 18:18: and it shall come to pass that whosoever will not harken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. (in Catholic bible: I will be the revenger).

The Quran starts surahs/chapters with: in the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful. Muslims begin every lawful act with these words. Christians begin with: in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.

John 1:25 'that prophet' refers to Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18. That prophet = the prophet like Moses (as) - 'like unto thee', that is Muhammad and NOT Jesus (as).

Muslims don't deny that Jesus (as) was the 'messiah' which is translated as 'Christ'. But Deuteronomy 18:18 does NOT refer to Jesus Christ (as). It is a prophecy about the holy prophet Muhammad .

Muhammad is mentioned by name in the Song of Solomon 5:16. The Hebrew word used there is Muhammuddim. The end letters 'im' is a plural of respect, majesty and grandeur. Minus 'im' the name would be Mahammudd. Translated as 'altogether lovely' in the Authorised version of the Bible or 'the praised one' = 'the one worthy of praise', i.e. MUHAMMAD !