Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Society Religion & Philosophy
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I hope we can continue this series of discussions in the spirit that it has been conducted up to the present.

In this part of the discussion I would like to focus on certain essentials and practises that are required by Islam and Christianity for followers to adhere to as laid down in the respective scriptures, as well as fringe practises that impact on the daily life of the followers.

Because there are so many issues to discuss, I would recommend we refer to them as per the number as I used underneath, otherwise we will get very quick so confused as to what are under discussion.

I sometimes include Judaistic practices since both Islam and Christianity has a connection with it and to show haw far the religions are removed w.r.t. these practices. The idea is not to discuss the Judaic practice but only Islamic and Christian.

My list of practices are not necessary complete, please feel free to add when none of the mentioned topics cover the particular practice.

  1. Religious Dates

Christianity has no Biblical required dates to be kept.

Islam has Friday as the communal day of worship as well as the month of Ramadan (Major) to keep.

Judaisms has the Sabath to keep, and various other fixed dates. All Major.

  1. Feasts

Christianity has Holy Communion (Major).

Islam has Eid (but I did not read about it in the Qur’an?).

Judaism has Passover (Major) and various other sacrimental practices.

  1. Practice when joining the religion

Christianity has Baptism 9Major), and non-essential practices such as Confirmation, etc.

Islam has ?

Judaism has circumcision (Major).

  1. Food

Christianity may not eat food dedicated to idols and the eating of animals of which the blood has not been drained properly (Major). All other food are permitted.

Islam has to eat food prepared according to the Halaal principle and no swine (both Major).

Judaism has to eat Kosher (Major) food (much stricter than Halaal).

  1. Beverage

Christianity allow all beverages except the drinking of blood.

Islam prohibit the use of alcohol (Major).

  1. Pilgrimage

Christianity has no such required practice.

Islam require pilgrimage to Meccah and Ka’bah (Major) and all practices associated with the pilgrimage.

  1. Prayer

Christians required to pray as often as they can. No required, bodily positions, direction, etc.

Islam required to pry on specific times, required bodily position and direction. All Major. Some of prayers are recitations???

  1. Fasting

Christians not required to fast but many do practice fasting of either food, beverage, or both, and even consider the abandon of any enjoyment as a form of fasting. Fasting done for various reasons.

Islam fast during Ramadan during daytime (Major).

  1. Clothing

Christianity has no specific requirements other than to be decent.

Islam has specific requirements for women (Major).

  1. Business

Christianity has no requirements except that it be conducted in the Spirit of God’s way. Requirement to look after the underprivileged, orphaned and widows.

Islam has requirement of alms giving (Major???), and no interest (Major).

  1. Music and art

Christianity may not worship images (Major).

Islam has requirements w.r.t. music, pictures, etc.

  1. Animals

Christianity has no requirements.

Islam has requirement w.r.t. dogs.

  1. Burial

Christianity has no scriptural requirements (Roman Catholics differ).

Islam has requirements

  1. Inner healing and Deliverance

Chirstianity practice.

Islam has no clear teaching.

  1. Supernatural Gifts of God

Christianity accept that the Holy Spirit of God equip certain people with special gifts.

Islam has no similar teaching.

  1. Religious Leaders

In Christianity there exist various forms and hierarchy of leaders depending on denominations.

Islam ???

  1. Sex and Abortion

Christianity are against abortion in general. The Roman Catholic church are against the use of contraceptives. Sex outside of marriage not permitted (Major).

Islam is against abortion and w.r.t. sex ???

  1. Family life

Christianity are against divorce per se. Many denominations have watered this down tremendously. Christianity in general only accept one woman per man.

Islam allows divorce and has prescibed requirements how it should be done. Multiple wifes are permitted within certain requirements.

  1. Special persons

The Roman Catholic Church makes an unscriptural issue of the mother of Jesus, Mary.

Islam has special reverence for the prophet Muhammad firstly and in general for all other prophets mentioned in the Qur’an.

  1. Medical

Christianity has no requirements w.r.t. medical care. Some denominations has an issue (unscripturally) with blood transfusion and receiving certain medical treatments.

Islam has requirements w.r.t. alcohol. In general allow normally unpermitted substances (swine parts, ect.) when medical necessary.

Above is DEFINITELY not an exhaustive list. please feel free to add, discuss, elaborate on above list. For initial part of discussion, please ONLY expand or correct the Islamic practices as stated above. Not being a Muslim, Islam’s viewpoint/teaching are not as well defined. It will aslo prevent this thread becoming too cumbersome by discussing only one religion at a time.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

replying with para number where necessary to update the original list

  1. Saying A few words in which he declares that Allah is one and Muhammad is the last prophet
  2. Islam does not stop you from saying prayers in your heart whenever you want but these 5 are ceremonial prayers and contain recitation of the Quran
  3. Well islam also says decent but has set what is decent? Bikini wearing in front of others cannot be decent I think we all agree
  4. Islam is surely apprehensive of music & pictures
  5. what do you mean by it?
  6. No concept of clergy who has authority to decide on your behalf, all are expected to learn
  7. Sex outside wedlock not permitted
enemies
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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Thanks for adding, MKF.

Exactly why I mentioned that Islam has no practice.

Inner healing is where God’s Spirit heals the soul of a person. Deliverence is where demons are excorcised.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Are you sure jinns or demons(according to christianity) they have not been taught in Islam, well you have to check out for it. Do you know, the last two surahs in the Quran, why were they revealed.

Secondary Inner Healing, Allaah tells the whole of Quran is a Healing for the believers from spiritual and physical sense.
Spiritual, if we are apprehensive about certain things in life the Remembrance to Allaah makes things much easier.

Physically as proven by the Authentic Hadeeth, that Ruqyah can be done, thats curing through the Quran.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Also DhulHijjah, in which hajj is performed.

Islam has two Eids i.e. Eid ul Fitr (ending of Ramadan) and Eid ul Adha (after Hajj)

Shahada is recited. It is a testimony to faith bearing witness that there is no God other than Allah SWT and Muhammad SAW is his last messenger.

Muslims cannot consume foods dedicated to idols either. Halal is what is permissible as far as sacrifical code is concerned that is called Dhabiha, particular way of slaughtering the animal (which sounds similar) ensuring all the blood is drained from the animal without sudden death.

Intoxicants are prohibited of which alcohol based beverages are but one.

Hajj is incumbent only on the financially and physically able.

Muslims can also offer voluntary prayers aside from these obligatory ones. Bodily positions are restricted to those who can physically perform them. If you sick or senile or unable to perform then because of some reason then you need not to. Direction is important as long as you can ascertain it. If you in a place where you cannot ascertain to direction then you are still allowed to pray in whatever direction you think appropriate. Most of the prayer is recitation of verse found in the Quran.

Fasting during Ramadan is from dawn to dusk. Muslims can fast at other times as well besides Ramadan.

In Islam the requirements are for both men and woman. Primarily it is to cover and conceal the Aurah i.e. that, which is considered as private for a man and woman.

Alms giving is not a business requirement but something about the economic system of Islam. Interest is not permitted. Of course cheating is not permitted and their are rules and regulations about how business should be conducted.

Islam prohibits image worship as well infact anything that has been created by the creator and creation. As for music and pictures there are many different opinions.

Dogs are not allowed as pets for enjoyment. They are permitted for guards and hunting.

Salat ul Janaza. Prayer for the dead. Its a specific type of prayer.

Please elaborate.

Allah SWT blesses whom he wills with what he wills. We have no say in it.

Islam has no imposing hierarchy. Though governance through structure is fine and much needed I say. The highest authority in Islam is that of Allah SWT, Quran and Sunnah of Muhammad SAW (for what of it is authentically known).

Sex out of wedlock is a no no. There are issues about slavery though that have to do with sex. We believe each child is born with his sustenance from Allah SWT however much it may be.

True. Islam builds inward to outward from the family.

What do you mean unscriptural issue?

Yes in times of dire needs unlawful things become lawful until they are needed.

At last . . .
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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Btw don't you think these are too many topics to discuss in one thread.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

SlaveofAllaah, you misunderstood. I did not say Islam do not teach about jinns/demons, but Islam do not specific have a practice where these demons who inhabit people are driven out. If you do have people doing exorcism, please enlighten me how they do it.

So is many other things including going on holiday or nature. Inner healing is where a person will be counciled by another (one can maybe include the Roman Catholic church’s Confession as a part) in order to help the person to be healed in soul and spirit. I did not hear of such a practice among Muslims, I might be wrong, enlighten me please!

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Yes they are but how can we divide them? Split the thread up as you see fit. Maybe we should split it into 4 or 5 threads going the same time?

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

USResident, I thank you for the time spend in answering each point. I don’t think there will be much debate/discussion except for clarification on the individual points.

Could you please explain a little more? As far as I know Islam also have rules w.r.t. how quickly the dead should be buried and how?

Inner healing by using the gifts provided by the Holy Spirit in determining what troubles a person and to clear the problem.

Deliverence is the excorcism of demons.

You misunderstand. The gifts here referred to are supernatural gifts that work by the Holy Spirit through people. Islam has no such teaching or practice (as far as I know)

According to pure Biblical teaching NO person is of a higher standing or require reverence. The Roman Catholic Church revere Mary, other people called Saints, and the Pope. There is no justification for such in the Bible scriptures, i.e. unscriptural. I had to write the RCC position because of it’s large following.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

[quote]

SlaveofAllaah, you misunderstood. I did not say Islam do not teach about jinns/demons, but Islam do not specific have a practice where these demons who inhabit people are driven out. If you do have people doing exorcism, please enlighten me how they do it.

[/quote]

We do exorcism, The Old Man this information hasnt reached you but we do exorcism, I do believe that Jinns do come into the human body and is proven and they are various methods. Its a huge topic, man hadeeth have proven this. Its a huge topic My uncle is one amongst them and has seen it literally initially i disbelieved but now I have to as a Muslim.
But he only does it throuth the Shariah and the Prophetic tradition applicable. But htere is a certain procedure, to be followed. I think we need a complete thread for this. Muslims are advised to recite ceretain surahs before going to sleep, as believers are always advised to be pure as certain parameters for the JInns to attach us will be negated.

[quote]

So is many other things including going on holiday or nature. Inner healing is where a person will be counciled by another (one can maybe include the Roman Catholic church's Confession as a part) in order to help the person to be healed in soul and spirit. I did not hear of such a practice among Muslims, I might be wrong, enlighten me please

[/quote]

I personally believe that the Quran is a healing for both soul and spirit. As we muslims believe its the word of Allaah once a person is God fearing then he feels that internal satisfaction and that can be manifest only throught the Quran. But i really dont know, the kind of practice you are stating as we believe Allaah is the Best protector and the Best helper.

We have many hadeeth regarding this i read ur rebuttal to USR, like for instance someons going through rough time, stressed and other factors all the Curing is done only by the Quran.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Old Man dont you think that Exorcism is a catholic belief rather than a general Christian belief? I think protestants dont believe in Exorcism.

As for spiritual healing there are many practices (usually specific passages from the Quran) in Muslims that are supposed to encourage an attitude of spirituality and reverance. In general they're classed under Dhikr. In addition reading of Quran is regarded as spiritual activity.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Your welcome.

Yes there are certain rules. Not a rule but a stressed recommendation is that the body should be buried as quick as possible. The body has to be washed i.e. given ghusl. The body is shrouded in white spreads. Then Janaza prayer is said for the deceased and then off to the graveyard for burial.

Exorcism is very true and exists even in Islam.

Please cite an example to elaborate this point.

You mean to say for instance Mary is revered in the Bible?

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

OK. Can you explain in short how it is done? How prevalent is exorcism in Islam?

I thought man only have a soul? Why soul and spirit? :confused:

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

The movies portray it as a Roman Catholic practice. I doubt if many RCC priests actually know how to do excorcism. I believ the movies use them because of their inclination to using rosaries, crosses, etc. during religious ceremonies.

Excorcism is more prevalent in churches where the followers believe the Holy Spirit works His gifts through the members. Much more prevalent in Penticostal and Charismatic churches than Roman Catholic or Protestant.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Typo:mad: . lol:)

Will get back to you on this tomorrow, I am hitting the bed its 1 here and 7 is my office :smiley:

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Healing the sick, doing miracles, profecying, having knowledge of matters a person had no experience off, speaking in unknown languages, interpreting unknown languages, prophecying, etc.

Exactly the opposite. Reverence of Mary is NOT mentioned in the Bible AND other documents of first century after Jesus’ death. It started later and are un-scriptural (not as per Bible or contra the teaching from the Bible).

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Exorcism in Islam is not possession by a ghost but a Jinn…I am not sure if you are aware, but Muslims believe that the Temple of Solomon was built by Jinns who were under Sulaiman (Solomon) :as:'s control…

We had a whole seminar about it in our Masjid a few years back and many questions were raised…

Basically, all that is done is that the body is retsrained or tied somehow to prevent the possessed from hurting himself…Then someone (preferably someone religious) recited Surah Jinn and verses from the Quran, most ntable Ayat-ul-Kursi…

Good Jinns do not possess and bad ones cannot bear the power of the Quranic verses and leave the body…There is no special rite for Islamic exorcism, it can be held anyplace…

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

jinns possessing humans....
i still disbelieve in that....
it sounds very much against fundamental teachings of Islam....

both jinn and human are independent creations, answerable for their deeds, and to give one the power to POSSESS the other, wud definitely bring out many unanswerable questions....

and satan wud have a very easy job on his hand as far as misleading humans is concerned if jinns were to have powers of possessing and other such things that now some associate to them....

and we have no history of the Prophet (saw) or his noble companions driving out jinns from people....

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

Exactly why i preferred to state that Islam has no clear teaching/doctrine/practice of it.

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Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Religious Essentials) - Islam and Christianity

old man the questions u stated above do u need answers for all of them?and explanations why we have them in islam and why not in christianity? i will give u answers one by one.INSHALLAH i will do it tomorrow as here it is too late at night

translate urdu mahawarey in ungrezi!