Muhammad And Jesus: Compare The Men

Muhammad And the Naz arne Compare The MenThis essay was kindly submitted by Collins MaritimThomas Carlyle observed that the history of the arena is really the biography of great soldierypower. And no dickens men have influenced our world more than saviour and Muhammad. Nations have used their words as the mental home of their cultures and laws. Fully fractional of the worlds inhabitants trace the roots of their beliefs binding to Muhammads words in the 7th century and the article of faiths of deliverer Christ in the 1st century. So who were these men who have changed our world, and how do they compare with genius nigh former(a)? We begin with Muhammad.Muhammad didnt appear extraordinary at first. But in time his rear became known throughout the Arab lands as the single who united a disparate group of nomad Arabs into a powerful force for their deity. And today, closely 1,400 old get along later, 1.8 billion Muslims r evere Muhammad as the greatest of all prophets.Ab out six hundred years before Muhammad an separate human race appeared on the scene who in three short years changed our world. His name is deliverer Christ. Within a few contemporariess after he left earth, the power and might of the popish Empire was enveloped by the phenomenon of Christianity, and today it is the worlds largest religion with over 2 billion followers.Although Muslims and Christians both believe powerfully in God, their religious differences have changed our 21st century world. But, can their many religious differences be traced back to the teachings of Muhammad and saviour? If these religious leaders were alive today, would they reflect the di imaginativenesss of their followers, or would they agree with one another? peradventure we can answer that question by emotional stateing at the similarities and differences of Muhammad and Jesus. two religious leaders had some similarities, but their differences account for much of the division we see today between I slam and Christianity. In the next several(prenominal) pages, we pull up stakes look at the biography of MuhammadLife of JesusSimilarities between Muhammad and JesusDifferences between Muhammad and JesusAfter comparing Muhammad and Jesus, we allow for attempt to draw conclusions about what led to their enormous influence upon our world. We will also examine their messages for es displaceial differences. First lets take a brief look at their lives.Life of Jesus ChristJesus Christ was born about 6 B. C. in Bethlehem, an obscure village in the Roman province of Palestine. It was a time when many Jews were looking for the long screamd Messiah mouth of hundreds of years before by Hebrew prophets. Luke, who documented the disembodied spirit of Jesus, writes that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, and that the saint Gabriel proclaimed him as the Son of the most High, the Savior of men (Luke 126-38).Jesus worked as a carpenter in the Galilean town of Nazareth. At age 30 he began his pu blic ministry by teaching Gods Word and performing nature-defying miracles. Jesus words and miraculous deeds attracted huge crowds manage a magnet. He spoke of God with an liberty that marveled everyone.Jesus sinless life of moral purity out(p) both his followers and his enemies. He also astounded them by turning water into wine, walking on water, calming storms at sea, giving sight to the blind, healing paralyzed limbs, and restoring life to the dead. No one had ever demonstrate such power and authority. And his enemies were unable to refute Jesus amazing power over nature. non only did Jesus perform great miracles, but he also spoke words of such profound wisdom, that it was say of him that no man has ever spoken like this. His words were spoken with authority and revealed remarkable insight about the human condition. In fact, Jesus said his words were the words of God Himself.Although the crowds that followed Jesus loved and accepted him, Jewish religious leaders were jealo us of his fame and wisdom. In their envy, they continually want to trip him up or catch him in a violation of their law.But Jesus life was pure and above reproach. Rather than violating Gods law, Jesus fulfilled every single command by his blameless life. Jesus continually present heartfelt compassion for the poor and downcast. He looked beyond the outward appearances of men into their hearts. Jesus was always kind, going out of his way to help people, regardless of how important they were.Jesus never boasted about himself. And his humility was blended with incredible courage and strength. He condemned religious hypocrisy, and spoke boldly in the face of overwhelming opposition from the Jewish leaders and Roman rulers. But Jesus also taught exonerateness, and demonstrated it by forgiving his executioners as he hung on the cross uttering, Father forgive them for they dont know what they are doing. (Luke 2326-49).Jesus made claims that totally infuriated his enemies. Jesus claims make it impossible that he was simply a prophet, a great religious leader, or merely a good man. He was all who he claimed to be, God or he was a liar, or a madman, or something worse.Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of his 12 disciples, and turned over to his Jewish enemies. The Romans then crucified Jesus on a cross and certify his death. After verifing his death, his body was placed into a rich mans tomb in Jerusalem.Jesus had told his disciples he would mount from the grave three days after his crucifixion. His disciples didnt believe his words at first, and they fled the scene, afraid they would be killed like their leader. But three days after Jesus crucifixion, they were suddenly changed. In a dramatic turnaround, they began proclaiming that Jesus had risen, and eventually died as martyrs for what they believed to be true.Before he ascended, Jesus promised that he would return to earth someday as Ruler. His followers conviction spread like a wildfire, consuming the entire Roman Empire. Our world has never been the same.Life of MuhammadMuhammad was born in 570 A.D in Mecca, a city in Western Saudi Arabia. He was an orphan, having lost both parents by the age of 6. After age 8 the young Muhammad was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib. In time he joined the trading caravans as a merchant. At age 25 Muhammad married a wealthy widow by the name of Khadijah, 15 years his senior. The tally had four daughters and two sons who died in infancy. During Muhammads life he had a total of eleven wives. He was describe as gentle and humble by nature. He loved children and animals.At age 40, Muhammad fell into a trance in a cave on Mount Hira near Mecca where he claimed to have comprehend the angel Gabriel speak to him. Muhammad reportedly ran home crying out, O, Kadijah I have either become a soothsayer or else I am possessed of the Djin demon and gone mad.Khadijah and her Christian cousin Waraqah consoled Muhammad, assuring him his vision mustiness be real, and t hat he was in truth Gods prophet. Muhammad had additional revelations of Gabriel speaking to him, but he still had agonise doubts about their reality. He was even more troubled when the revelations ceased, becoming dejected and entertaining suicide.It wasnt until later when his revelations resumed, that Muhammad ultimately began proclaiming himself as a prophet, and preaching in the one sovereign God, resurrection, and the last judgment, and the practicing of charity to the poor and the orphans.Muhammad was unenlightened and recited his revelations orally. It wasnt until after his death that they were compiled and written down in the Quran. Muslims accept the Quran as a miracle, accept it is 100% inspired with no human error. Much of what we know as Islam the lives and sayings of the Prophet is based on texts from between 130 and 300 years after Muhammads death.In the face of rampant idolatry, Muhammad became passionous for Allah. It was his zeal that led Muhammad to take up the sword for Allah. He would spread Islam by conquering the infidel (unbelieving) peoples, including Christians and Jews. former to taking up the sword, Muhammad had co-existed peacefully with the many Jewish inhabitants of Medina. But when he realized the Jews rejected his revelatory calling and radical ideas, he became angry, and began treating them cruelly. As a result, some Jews were driven into exile by his militia, fleck others were executed with their widows and children being sold as slaves.Prior to his death, Muhammad led several military campaigns. He prove to be a courageous and capable military leader. By the time of his death in 632, Muslims command only in Arabia. But within ten years the Arab Muslims conquered Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and then Persia (Iran). In one generation Muhammad and his followers had changed the political landscape of the Eastern world. Today Muslims around the world honor Muhammad as Allahs one True Prophet.Similarities between Jesu s and MuhammadBefore we look at the differences between Jesus and Muhammad, lets identify a few of their similarities.Great religious leadersJesus and Muhammad established the worlds two largest religions, Christianity with 2.1 billion, and Islam with 1.8 billion people, together half of the worlds population.MonotheismAlthough their views of Gods nature were different, both men believed in and taught about one true God who is sovereign, infinite, all powerful, all-knowing, and the ultimate judge of all mankind.Old Testament ScripturesBoth men accepted the Old Testament as Gods Word, and acknowledged Abraham, as the one through whom God would make a great people. Jews and Christians believe Gods promise is through Abrahams son, Isaac, piece of music Muslims believe it is through Abrahams other son, Ishmael.Written legacyNeither Jesus nor Muhammad wrote a book. However, their respective followers recorded their words that we have today the refreshed Testament detailing the eyewitne ss accounts of Jesus life and words, and the Quran, which records Muhammads account of his revelation. Whereas Muslims regard the Quran as a Miracle that must be interpreted by faith without the necessity of evidentiary support, Christians point to numerous evidences of ancient documents substantiating the reliability of the New Testament.Worldwide influenceMuhammads most enduring influence has been his ability to unite disparate groups of Arab peoples under the monetary standard of Islam, primarily by military conquest. This influence spread further by conquests of several surrounding countries. mingled with the 8th century to the 13th century, Islam was instrumental in several developments in the arts and sciences. This period of heathen advancement is called The Golden Age of Islam During this Golden Age Muslim scholars made contributions to literature, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and chemistry. Muhammads influence rings out loud today through his 1.8 billion followers a round the world.Jesus Christ influenced Western Civilization peacefully. He told us that God loves each of us individually and created us for Himself. He taught us to love and forgive each other. Secular world historian Will Durant credits Jesus teachings with the beginning of democracy. Jesus teaching of the high value of the individual resulted in the establishment of schools such as Yale and Harvard, the abolition of slavery, the elevated self-respect of women, and countless hospitals charities and humanitarian works.Differences between Muhammad and JesusAlthough some similarities exist between Muhammad and Jesus, their differences are far greater. Lets look at a few of the most important. divers(prenominal) ClaimsMuhammad said he was just a man Jesus claimed to be God. In fact, Muhammad never claimed to be more than a man, a prophet of Allah. His future(a) prayer reflects thatO Allah I am but a man. (Ahmed, Musnad, Vol. 6, pg. 103)Although Jesus was fully a man who felt pain, became hungry, tired, and was tempted like us, Jesus also claimed to be fully God, equal with his heavenly Father. He said that prior to becoming a man, he and the father had always existed as one God, and had jointly created the universe.several(prenominal) popular conspiracy theories, like The Da Vinci Code, have asserted that the church invented Jesus divinity, but historic evidence indicates the earliest Christians believed that Jesus is both Lord and God.Christianity would not be the same if Jesus disciples hadnt truly believed he was God. (The term, Son of God does not mean a biological offspring, or that Jesus is substandard to his Father, it only reflects their race with one another within the godhead). All the evidence points to the fact that the disciples totally embraced his deity.Different CharacterAs a mortal man, Muhammad sinned like us. Jesus was said to be without sin (John 846). Even his enemies were unable to accuse him of breaking any of Gods Commandments. But M uhammad admitted he had erred, and asked Allah for forgiveness three quantify (Sura al-Ghafir 4055 4719 al-Fath 482).Different AuthorityMuhammad never performed a miracle (Quran 2950), but Jesus exhibited complete authority over nature by performing numerous miracles (Mark 39,10).Different CredentialsJesus fulfilled ancient Hebrew prophecies Muhammad did not. Muhammad offered no credentials but his revelation. Yet, some 300 Old Testament prophecies with 61 specific details were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. solely God could have brought all those details to pass. Thus, Jesus is a perfect match for each of them. Jesus divine credentials were established by his fulfillment of Gods prophetic Word.Different PowerJesus resurrection demonstrated divine power Muhammad died and his bones are reportedly within his grave at Medina. Jesus, on the other hand, came back to life three days after he was crucified and confirmed dead by Roman executioners. Both Jesus crucifixion and resurrection are historical facts for which there is compelling evidence.Different MessageJesus taught love and grace Muhammad taught submission and rules. Muhammad taught that we must attain salvation by adhering to Islams Five Pillars of the Faith. In other words, our salvation depends on our own efforts. Even then, one has no assurance of forgiveness, and must depend upon the kindness of Allah for forgiveness. Some Muslims believe that the Quran teaches that becoming a martyr for Allah will gain them favor and they will be rewarded by a heavenly harem.Jesus said God created us for a relationship with Himself. His plan is to adopt us into His heavenly family as His beloved children. However, we rebelled against Him and broke His moral laws. The Bible calls this sin. much(prenominal) disobedience against a holy God requires judgment. Our good deeds, money, or prayers cannot take away our sins.The Bible tells us God is a pursuing God who devised a plan to give up us from our sin debt. Gods termi nation was to pay the price Himself. In order to accomplish that, Jesus became a man who would die in our place (Philippians 25). Jesus said God so loved the world that He sent Jesus to die for us (John 316). Jesus taught that salvation is a free gift which must be embraced by faith in him alone, not our deeds. It is our choice to accept or reject Gods free pardon.Jesus and Muhammad have at time been confused amongst scholars as being one in the same. Both of these individuals were born at completely separate times however, both men served very similar purposes while on Earth. Jesus promoted Christianity and Muhammad promoted