Are there any radical differences between Islam and Christianity ?
Dr. Labib: Well, there are a lot of
differences between Christianity and Islam. I will mention them in very clear
words. First, and foremost, the two different books, the Koran and the Bible.
Second, the two different founders, Mohammed and Jesus Christ. Third, the two
different deities, the God of the Bible, and Allah of Islam. Fourth, the two
different ways of salvation. The way of Cain, which is salvation by works, and
the way of God, which is salvation by grace alone. Then, I would say, fifthly,
that the two different standards of life. You know you'll go to the Koran, and
you'll see a big difference between the standard of life in the Bible and in the
Koran, concerning marriage and divorce; concerning dealing with the wife. You go
to the Koran and you'll see in reference to the wife, that the Koran permits the
Muslim to beat his wife. In the Bible we see "love your wife as Christ
loves the church". This is a very big difference. Then concerning kindness
to all mankind, the Koran declares once and again, that the Muslims should go to
war against Jews and Christians, and kill them. Then, concerning peace and war.
Jesus Christ told Peter, "Put your sword away. Those who will take the
sword will die by the sword." Mohammed told his followers, "Go and
fight!" Then sixthly, the two different declarations. In clear words, the
Koran denies the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the crucifixion of
Jesus Christ is the focal point of the Bible. Take the cross from the Bible, and
the Bible is a dead book. But the Koran says, "they did not kill Him, nor
crucified Him."Lastly, I would say the two different eternal destinies. The
Koran is very clear, and let me read from the Koran if you will. Here is the
Koran in my hand, and in surat mariam , and surat mariam is surat number19, and
in verse 66, "and man says, "When I am dead, shall I then be raised up
alive?" And then it ended saying here, "There is not one of you,
Muslims. There is not one of you, Muslims, but will pass over hell." I
shall repeat, the Koran is telling the Muslims, "There is not one of you,
but will pass over hell." This is with your Lord, a decree which must be
accomplished. When I read such verses in the Koran, I ask myself this question:
why would anyone embrace a religion that will take him to hell? It is very
clear, it is a decree that god will accomplish for every Muslim.When you go to
the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ said that we have in Him eternal life.
"Whoever hears my voice, and believes in me, he has been transformed from
this to life." There is eternal life to the Christian. And in the Koran
there is a different destination. These are the differences between Christianity
and Islam.
REFERENCES:
The Quran: Surat AN-NISA (WOMEN) 4:34
YUSUFALI: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because
Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support
them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and
guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those
women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first),
(Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them
(lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of
annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
PICKTHAL: Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of
them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the
support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which
Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and
banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then
if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted,
Great.
SHAKIR: Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of
them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good
women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as
to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone
in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they
obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.
The Bible: Ephesians 5:25
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it;
The Quran: Surat Mariam 19: 66-71
019.066
YUSUFALI: Man says: "What! When I am dead, shall I then be raised up
alive?"
PICKTHAL: And man saith: When I am dead, shall I forsooth be brought
forth alive?
SHAKIR: And says man: What! when I am dead shall I truly be brought forth
alive?
019.067
YUSUFALI: But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of
nothing?
PICKTHAL: Doth not man remember that We created him before, when he was
naught?
SHAKIR: Does not man remember that We created him before, when he was
nothing?
019.068
YUSUFALI: So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together,
and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their
knees round about Hell;
PICKTHAL: And, by thy Lord, verily We shall assemble them and the devils,
then We shall bring them, crouching, around hell.
SHAKIR: So by your Lord! We will most certainly gather them together and
the Shaitans, then shall We certainly cause them to be present round hell on
their knees.
019.069
YUSUFALI: Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who
were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious.
PICKTHAL: Then We shall pluck out from every sect whichever of them was
most stubborn in rebellion to the Beneficent.
SHAKIR: Then We will most certainly draw forth from every sect of them
him who is most exorbitantly rebellious against the Beneficent Allah.
019.070
YUSUFALI: And certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being
burned therein.
PICKTHAL: And surely We are Best Aware of those most worthy to be burned
therein.
SHAKIR: Again We do certainly know best those who deserve most to be
burned therein.
019.071
YUSUFALI: Not one of you but will pass over it:
this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be
accomplished.
PICKTHAL: There is not one of you but shall
approach it. That is a fixed ordinance of thy Lord.
SHAKIR: And there is not one of you but shall come
to it; this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord.