Islam and Christian Traditions Essay

Christianity and Islam see recurring themes in beliefs and practices. They share stories from past prophets that declare they know the word of God. God tells prophets about a time before earth and gives them knowledge to spread to man. Life holds sanctity that is not for man to wander and do as their physical bodies might allow. Both Islam and Christian traditions make examples and tell the history of how God desires man to live. There are foretellings of vast destruction when man lives among evils and sin. Muslims say that, like God, Allah will see and end of man and will only accept the faithful into paradise. Traditions of Christianity and Islam can relate to each other by commemorating a higher power as known as God. The higher power in Christianity is known as God, while the higher power in Islamic traditions is known as Allah. In Islamic traditions, Allah shouldn’t be confused with the God known in Christianity because the word Allah is translated as â€Å"the God† in Arabic. Christian and Islamic traditions have cosmogony, eschatology, afterlife, moral codes, and duties that serve the purpose in their existence. Both Islamic and Christian traditions will see some similarities and recurring prophecies that exist in their practices. Christian traditions and cosmogony can be found in the Bible. The Bible is many stories that contains passages from prophets of God and is compiled of several books. The book of genesis describes how God created the universe. He made light, darkness, heaven, earth, fruits and vegetables. On the fifth and sixth day of the week to create the universe and earth, God made beasts and made man that resembles the appearance of God. Genesis 1:29 said to man, â€Å"I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food† (BibleGateway, 2011). God warns Adam and Eve, the first of all mankind, that there is forbidden fruit that cannot be touched. Genesis 3:3 says, â€Å"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die† (King James Bible Online, 2013). When Adam and Eve consumed the forbidden fruit despite God’s warning, Adam and Eve were cursed by God to multiply the earth. Eve, the first woman, was created by God to provide Adam, the first of all man, companionship. It was in her mistake that Adam fell under temptation to then be commanded by God to take power of beasts and man to begin the teachings of God on earth. Prophets of God taught man to obey commandments in order to be prepared for the end of the world. Prophets, pastors, preachers, or bishops in Christian sects will preach the gospel of the Bible that predict when Christ will return to earth and reach final days before heaven. Most interpretations of the Bible explain how there is good and evil; Evil will cause suffering for mankind. Christians believe that Christ will return and save those who are faithful to God when there is a final judgment of man. Matthew 24:14 reads, â€Å"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come† (Christian Bible Reference, n.d.). Evil will be taught through deception, so God will need true believers. There will be a place in heaven for Christians to live with God after their trial on earth. Man will be accepted into heaven if he upholds morals and duties that Christians are taught. Many Christians believe that heaven is a place on earth. The book of Luke (21:32-33) reads, â€Å"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away† (King James Bible Online, n.d.). In heaven there will once be so much evil that the wicked will overpower the good through violent wars. Like earth, God will create a new heaven for the blessed people. Heaven will be free from evil for many years until its end of days only through destruction and misery upon its holy place. In heaven killing is much of a sin as earth. God commands man not to sin such as killing, adultery, worshiping idols, and stealing among other things. If man upholds these morals and duties, he will be accepted to heaven when salvation c omes. Traditions in Islam are similar religious practices that are commemorated through the Qur’an and are told how the earth and man were created. Like Christians, Muslims believe that Allah, or the God, created a heaven, a world, and the universe with all materials in it that are living or not. The book of Surat Al-Baqarah (2:29), in the Qur’an, reads, â€Å"It is he who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then he directed himself to the heaven, (his being above all creation), and made them seven heavens, and he is knowing of all things† (Quran, n.d.). Islamic traditions began when the prophet Muhammad spoke with Allah. Allah told Muhammad of the creation of the first man on earth, who is known as Adam, who had a female companion. Allah also told Muhammad how Adam ate the forbidden fruit when he was restricted not to do so. Muslims’ eschatology tells how there will be an evil presence who will be violent and cause destruction. There is also an afterlife of heaven and hell as Christians believe. Although the evil are wicked, they too will be brought to heaven and see a final judgment from Allah. â€Å"And as for those who disbelieves, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the hereafter, and they will have no helpers† (Quran, n.d.). Islamic traditions say how there will be an end of time. There will be warnings from Allah on earth. An antichrist will appear before the last day who will be cruel to man. Followers of the antichrist and the unbelievers of Allah may never reach heaven. Heaven will be a paradise that the Qur’an describes, â€Å"No empty talk will they hear there, nor any call to sin, but only the tiding of inner soundness and peace† (Religious Tolerance, 2005). Morals and duties are important to Muslims in order to avoid sin and reach heaven. Allah tells prophets of his commandments so that man will be holy and plentiful. â€Å"The ones who break the covenant of Allah even after its (binding) compact and cut (off) what Allah has commanded to be held together and corrupt in the earth, those are they (who are) the losers† (Quran, n.d.). Allah tells man not to steal, murder, disobey parents, covet, or commit adultery among other things. When man disobeys Allah, they are expected to know sin from righteousness and should repent for forgiveness. â€Å"..Except for those who repent after that and correct themselves. For indeed, Allah is forgiving and merciful† (Quran, n.d.). The man who doesn’t repent may be a sinner for life and will be questioned on judgment day. The Islam and Christian traditions both believe in a God that share similar interests for mankind. God and Allah teach man how they can return to heaven after their days on earth after Adam and Eve’s tribulations. Prophets will spread the knowledge to man from God as a lesson not to fail under certain temptations and have faith in God to live in paradise with him one day. After time, the rise of evil is bound to cause awfulness when man turns to disobedience and non believing even during a salvation. Heaven will be free from sin and man can live in a peaceful place until it is once again ruined by tribulations. God will continue to confide with man in order for glory to persevere.