Does Allah = God?
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A. I want to begin with a short reflection on the phrase contained in this question: "My Muslim friend." Good for you!
When I grew up, that wouldn't have been a common premise for a question about sharing one's faith. But today's neighborhoods are much more diverse, and Christians often rub shoulders with people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. To make this choice for relationship is, I believe, reflective of God's nature.
Jesus told us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). In this situation, the salt part of the equation is your friendship. Salt seasons and brightens, makes better, and preserves. No matter what your friend believes, you can love her with the kind of love that isn't worried about who's right and who's wrong, but is concerned with how you serve, listen, and befriend.
Being forthright about your religious differences within the context of your friendship is being light. Light penetrates the darkness. And while you can be friends with someone and still disagree, there are distinct differences between Islam and Christianity.
As a simple overview to a very complex issue, I offer three areas in which the difference in Christian and Muslim beliefs is defining. These areas may be a starting point for conversations with your friend.
First, in Islam, Allah (God) is utterly unknowable. To think in terms of a God who can be known and who desires a relationship with his creatures is actually considered blasphemous. He is a distant God who is to be feared. In place of relationship, there is only submission. Allah only reveals his will, not himself, hence the Muslim practice of ritual prayers. These memorized prayers are offered five times a day to appease a transcendent force with no personal interest in his creatures.
Contrast that with the God of the Bible, who reveals himself, knocks at the door of our heart, and encourages us to enter in to an ever-increasing relationship with him. He calls us his "friends" (John 15:15).
Second, Islam requires a strict adherence to good works as the means to reach heaven. At birth people are considered sinless with unlimited spiritual potential if they faithfully adhere to the teachings of Allah, as reflected through the words of the prophet Mohammed. It's good works that open the doors to one of the seven different levels of heaven. But there's no advocate to intercede with Allah when one falls short of the level of good works required.
In Christianity, it's only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we are in relationship with God and given the promise of eternal life. Good works spring out of that gift of relationship with God through Jesus; they aren't the means to the relationship.
Third, while Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet, it rejects his divinity, and claims that Mohammed is actually the superior prophet from God. He is the one considered to have brought God's final revelation. The Koran (3:59-60) says that Jesus was, like Adam, created from dust.
Originally published in: Today's Christian Woman, 2005, May/June, Vol. 27, Issue 3, Page 20
Related Topics:
Friends, Other Faiths, Islam, Muslim, Religious Differences, Witnessing
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srepard
Allah and God are not the same. The spelling "G o d" does not make the beings equal and the same. The religions reflect their god/God, therefore, Allah and God are not the same. "G o d" is "G o d" but their natures are different from their names, therefore they are different. Muslims accept Jesus as a prophet--that is not the same as the Christian religion. Christians accept Jesus as the second member of the Trinity, God, the Son. Christians accept Jesus as being present at the creation of the world. We do not accept Jesus as a created being--Muslims do. They are not the same.
reader21
If you are go into the details of how Christianity and Islam differ, then the question is not if Allah=God, because YES, linguistically it is. Allah is arabic for God. Its only natural that you refer to God in your own language. In addition, Quran accepts the Bible and Jesus, so you can debate all you want whether or not it is same but the Quran does teach that, so a Muslim is bound to believe it. Sorry! lol.
Rhy
i am a christian. i believe that Allah is God. However, it is the doctrine and how we get to God that make the difference. there might be similarities but sure there are differences. for us Christians, the truth for all people is Jesus is the only way and without Jesus we are lost. Jesus is the Son of God and a Prophet or a Messenger as the Muslims will put it.Jesus is the WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE. Without Him, we are lost, sticking to the lie and dead. Jesus is the Word. the Word is the Bible and that is a must read for all. Read and believe and let your steps be ordered by it.
roshni
First Area of Diffrence or No Difference?? Some of the names of Allah include: The Protecting Friend, The Loving Defender, The Nearby Guardian Second Area of Difference or No Difference?? No doubt good works are required, but Allah is the Most Merciful, the most forgiving..... It is only through his Mercy and Favor one can hope to be in Paradise.....that by the way does not imply no good works..;) Earn his favor 'n mercy through gud works and if you fall short repent and he will forgive.....thats what Islam teaches....Allah is Just and it is clearly stated that "The Blind man and the Seer are not equal" Third Area of Difference This has already been answered by Anita.... Salam, Shalom , Peace be with you.
anita
hi i m muslim and very much like to be your friend.although we have differences but i just wanted to add some thing in accordance to quran jesus was one of the mightiest messenger of god and alllah .but it is also said in quran that all the messangers are equal so that makes mohammad no superior than jesus .yes i agree upon you that we need jesus to get close to god means we have to except that jesus is the messenger of god in order to get close to god.i have lots of thins which i have read in bible which i would love to dicuss with some one .i dont want to hurt your feelings if only you agree upon discussing i can tell you the similarities between our faith coz we have come from the same source the same creater
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