The real difference between Islam and Christianity

What is the real difference between Islam and Christianity?

The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) reported that Allah (s.t.) said: "I created my servants in the right religion but devils made them go astray." And the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) also said: "Each child is born in a state of "Fitrah" (correct believe), and then his parents make him a Jew or a Christian. It is like the way you help animals give birth. Do you find among their offspring a branded one until you brand them yourselves?" (Collection by Al Bukharee and Muslim) As you may know I was born into a Christian family, into a Lutheran protestant family to be precise, and did not discover and embrace Islam till I was about 30 years of age. My family was not exactly what you would call devoted Christians, but nevertheless I was baptized and somehow raised in a Christian tradition. If you are raised in a certain country on a certain believe you are raised in and with a certain set of values. It is all about your lifestyle, your way of thinking, the priorities you set for yourself, in short the way you live your life and religion is only one part of it. I was a typical result of a German upbringing and somehow indifferent to religion. Alhamdulillah, at the age of 30 Allah guided me; I learned about Islam and consequently embraced Islam. I was more comfortable with the teachings of this new religion of mine, but internally I was fare away from being a Muslim. It was a mosque now, instead of a church, a sheik instead of a priest and the dogmas of Islam are different than Christian dogmas: Jesus (p.b.u.h.) did not die on the cross, he was not the son of God, God is not one of three but only one and most important Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) was the Prophet of God or Allah as I got used to call Him now. I learned the facts quite fast and but it took me a long time to understand them, to understand the meaning of religion in general. Religion is all about doing the right thing and about salvation, your place in paradise. The subject of salvation is the main point for all those who believe in a God, because it is the ultimate goal which we all seek.

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The real difference between Islam and Christianity But the road to salvation is not an Interstate Highway with service stations every 5 miles and it does not come in business class. There are many tests on the way to paradise.

2. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. 3. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make known those who are true, and will certainly make known those who are liars. Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider)
The years to come after I embraced Islam were a daily learning experience. My whole world view, my lifestyle, my way of thinking was challenged the more I learned about Islam. Everything I had learned in 30 years, believed in and lived by was challenged. I would like to share with you my experiences on my journey to Islam, since it involves a lot more than just accepting some new beliefs; actually it is about accepting a new life.

Concept of Religion
The meaning of Islam is submission to Allah (s.t.), submission to God. Not to any human being or to any particular prophet but to Allah (s.t.) alone. This concept of submission was most difficult for me to understand in the beginning. I was used to a religion that does not require a lot from you. You may go to church or not, you may pray or not, it does not really make a big difference as long as you believe in your savior. In Islam believers are expected to submit themselves to Allah (s.t.), to submit their lives. Not just submissions in prayer or on religious holidays, but submission every day, 24 hours a day, complete submission to Allah (s.t.).

O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. (2:208)
Islam is not a religion in which people recite their prayers in the mosque or in their houses and then literally leave their faith at the door on their way out. In Islam you take your faith, your religion outside the mosque; you take it outside your homes, into your shops, your offices, just everywhere and it becomes the guideline of your life. I had never heard about anything like this in my former Christian life.

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The real difference between Islam and Christianity In Christianity you can find almost everything you look for, depending if you choose to follow the gospels, or the teachings of Paul or the teachings of the particular church you attend. You will find a place that pleases your personal understanding of religion. You like it more conservative, kind of old fashioned, than you join the orthodox or the Roman Catholic Church. You are more of a theorist, not so much inclined to miracles and show, than you go for the Lutheran or Methodist Church. You are more of a liberal? Go for one of the countless free churches. Doesnt matter what your personal preference is, you can find it in one of the countless churches. In Islam all the sudden it was different: Islam is not just a jumble of unrelated ideas and changing modes of conduct. Islam is rather a well-organized system, well ordered, a consistent system based on a well preserved, protected book the glorious Quran and on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) which are equally well documented. All teachings and rulings of Islam for all the different spheres of live are originated from these two well preserved and protected sources. As a Muslim I had to follow the teachings of the Glorious Quran and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) and not my personal desires.

It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it. (61:9) And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth; confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. (5:48)
And the law of Allah (s.t.) is not limited to the mosques or the private life. Islam does regulate everything, to establish a new social order, the perfect society. In Islam religion is not just one player in society among others.

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Secularism
I was raised on different terms. My understanding of relationship between religion and society or state was based on Matthew (22:21), on the teachings of the church: Matthew is one of the gospels. In chapter 22 verse 21 it says: Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and unto God the things that are Gods. This verse has become a synonym, a widely quoted summary of the relationship between Christianity and the state; or the western understanding of the relationship between religion and state in general. This understanding is commonly called Secularism and being raised in a western country it was part of my personality; you never hear any different. It is an ideology that teaches you from the beginning that religion has no place in public life. You keep it in your houses, in your churches or mosques but it has no place in politics, business, law or entertainment; nowhere. In western countries religion is a private affair, you keep it private. After embracing Islam it was all different:

And judge, [O Muhammad], between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allah has revealed to you. And if they turn away - then know that Allah only intends to afflict them with some of their [own] sins. And indeed, many among the people are defiantly disobedient. (5:49) Then is it the judgment of [the time of] ignorance they desire? But who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who are certain [in faith]. (5:50)
This was a serious problem for me. A cornerstone of my upbringing, the separation between belief and state, was challenged. I had to choose between being faithful to Allah (s.t.) or being faithful to my old way of thinking.

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How can you reconcile between positions like secularism and a religion that demands to change the world, establishing a new social order?

Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims." (6:162-163)
I personally choose to be a Muslim, to submit my life to Allah (s.t.). Let me explain to you why: Islam is the religion Allah (s.t.) sent down to guide mankind, his creation, And the revelation Allah (s.t.) sent to the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) is the last and final guidance for all mankind. In the glorious Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) all aspects of life, religious as well as non religious, are clarified and explained. The simplest minded person can see how Islam explains all matters of life, private as well as public affairs. It is impossible for a Muslim to feel that this religion would ever leave the political and economic affairs to others than Allah (s.t.).

We have not neglected in the Book a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered. (5:38) And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims. (16:89) Then is it the judgment of [the time of] ignorance they desire? But who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who are certain [in faith]? (5:50)
This issue is not open for debate or for negotiations. Allah (s.t.) was very clear on this in his revelation, no room for misunderstandings. Islam, as the final revelation, has supremacy over all faiths and every aspect of life. There is no place for doubt on this subject. I for my part embraced Islam to get religion into my life, not the other way around. To understand the true meaning of the word Islam was the most difficult part for me. Submit my whole life, without any reservations, to the will of Allah (s.t.).

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The real difference between Islam and Christianity

Law & Shariat

And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great success. (33:71)
O ye who believe! obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination. (4: 59).
As a Christian I was not used to this kind of following, obedience. To follow a clear cut set of rules, not only in faith but also in action, as part of my religion was something totally new for me. I was obeying all the laws of my country, more or less, but I did not know of any interfering additional religious law. Paul, or St. Paul as Christians call him, is one of the founders of the Christian church; actually he is believed to be the God Father of the church, and most writings of the New Testament are attributed to him, not to the Gospels. Paul had a very clear opinion about following the law of God or disobeying it:

2:15 (Epistle to Galatians) We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. I dont make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
As long as I was a Christian faith was in the heart. Believe in Jesus as your savior and you are saved. No word about following the shariat or Sunnah Jesus (p.b.u.h.) lived by. Thats like a Muslim claiming that Islam is in the heart and believing in the Prophet Muhammad as your personal savior is enough for salvation, thereby totally ignoring the shariat or the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.).

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"It is not fitting for a believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by God and His messenger to have an opinion about the decision. If anyone disobeys God, and His messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong path." (33:36)
As a Muslim I had to learn that obedience towards Allah (s.t.) is based on two things: to follow the shariat, the law, and my niyat, intention and this obedience is not optional.

And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination." (2:285)
All our actions should be done with the intention to please Allah (s.t.) as part of worship in our daily lives. In Islam the shariat and the faithful intention are the two foundations of Islamic live. Faith without action is useless and action without faith is useless as well. I know that today as a Muslim I do follow Jesus, Isa, (p.b.u.h.) more correct than I ever did as a Christian. According to the Gospel of Matthew Jesus (p.b.u.h.) said in regards to following the law:
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Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
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For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
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Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
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For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20) Compare the writings of Paul with the sayings of Jesus (p.b.u.h.). Whom did I follow as a Christian, Paul or Jesus? It was a long learning process for me to understand that faith is not just in the heart. The heart is where everything starts, but then it has to be brought to life, to action in or daily life.
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Salvation from hellfire

Life as a Christian was a lot easier, at least thats what they taught us. The main reason for people to follow a certain belief is their desire to be saved from hellfire and to obtain a place in paradise. If I would not belief that my faith and actions will benefit me on the Day of Judgment, why should I be faithful? I was taught as a Christian that salvation works like this:

In view of who Christ is and what He has done for me on the cross, it is my responsibility to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31; John 3: 16.18.36) This means I must come to Christ (John 6:35-37) and receive Him as my personal savior and Lord (John 1:12; Romans 6:23), realizing and believing the following facts: - The Lord Jesus is the only Savior (Acts 4:12; John 10:9; 14:6) There is no salvation apart from him. - The Lord Jesus died and rose again for my salvation (1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 10:9) - The Lord Jesus is able to save me (Hebrews 7:25; Isaiah 59:1; Matthew 19:24-26) - The Lord Jesus is willing to save me (John 6:37, 1 Timothy 2:4) The Lord Jesus will save me if I trust Him and Him alone as my savior (John 3:16)

I must also realize that I am not saved - By good works (Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:9, Titus 3:5) - By trying to keep the law (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; James 2:10)
Thats what I was taught for 30 years. Religion is in the heart and as long as you believe in Jesus and the cross you will be saved. No talk about certain, individual action.

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And no soul, as bearer of burden, bears (and is made to bear) the burden of another; and if one weighed down by his burden calls to (another for help to) carry it, nothing of it will be carried by that other, even if he be his near of kin. (Sura Fatir; 35.18) Thats the Qurans point of view.
As a Muslim I had to learn that my relationship to God is a very personal one, direct, on a one by one basis. There are no intermediates to cover up for me.

Whoever disbelieves - upon him is his disbelief. And whoever does righteous good deeds - they are for themselves preparing, (Sura Rum; 30:44)
In Islam salvation from hellfire depends entirely on my action, not on my belief in the suffering off Jesus (p.b.u.h.) on the cross for my sins or on anybody elses action. It is only about what I choose to do or not to do that will grant me one day by the mercy of Allah (s.t.) my place in paradise. I need to belief that Allah is the only God worthy of worship and that Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) was his Messenger and act on it. I need to do my five daily prayers, I need to fast during the month of Ramadan, I need to give Zakat, I need to perform hajj. These are only the five pillars of Islam, there is a lot more. Prayers, fasting, charity, good conduct and all these things I have to do, not somebody else, in order to save myself from hellfire and to secure my place in paradise. Embracing Islam meant for me to transform from a consumer of Religion, a subject of Religion, to an acting believer, following the way of Allah (s.t.) and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.).

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No intermediates
As a Christian I needed intermediates in Religion. I was used to believe that for certain actions, which are essential for practicing your faith, you cannot approach God directly. You do need a special cast of people to perform these acts for you. The sacraments of the church like for example baptism, confirmation of your belief, Eucharist, marriage and others cannot be administered by any believer. It requires a certain class of people, appointed by the church, to be act as intermediates between God and the faithful. In other words this group of people possesses a special authority in religious affairs, bestowed on them by the Holy Ghost, God himself, through the church. Imagine how much power these people hold. They literally carry the key to paradise. In the Roman catholic church they can even assure you that your sins are forgiven, as long as you confess them to just this person. These people state that nobody can gain direct access to God. They claim that believers need them as intermediates through one should approach his God, that all ceremonials like baptism, weddings or funerals can only be performed through their mediation. In short: all religious rites from ones birth to ones death can only be performed at their hands. They constitute themselves as mouthpieces of God; they start dictating others what is lawful (halal) and what is unlawful (haram) and they start to force people to obey their commands.

Not for you, [O Muhammad, but for Allah ], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers. (Al-Imran, 3:128) Indeed, those you [polytheists] call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful. (Al-Araaf; 7:194)

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The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) commented in regards to these people:

Allah cursed the Jews and the Christian for taking their Rabbis and Priests as Gods beside him.
As a new Muslim it was a real liberation that there was nobody who could interfere between me and God (s.t.), but it was also a huge responsibility and accountability I had to learn to master. In Islam no special group or caste possesses special powers bestowed on them by Allah (s.t.) directly. In Islam there is no blind following except following Allah (s.t.) and the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.). This is in short my Islamic journey or transformation over the last twenty years. If people would ask me what I found on my journey I would tell them: I found a God that truly loves his creation. I found a God that gives me authority over my life and even the right to choose between right and wrong. I found a God that always gives me the chance to repent in case I made the wrong choice. I found a God that truly freed my life from depending on others to share the glory of his religion and salvation. I found that Allah freed me from all other authorities, that he gave me free choice of obeying or disobeying him but that I am also fully accountable. I am responsible for my life towards Allah (s.t.). I hope and pray that the learning experience off the last 20 years will continue and that Allah (s.t.) will give me an even better understanding of his religion in the years to come.

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