There is a significant difference between the founders of the world’s two greatest religions – Christianity and Islam. The differences are significant and cannot be ignored if you believe the religion is or should be a reflection of its founder. Let’s examine the facts, the truth of each founder, and the influence they have on the world they impact.
We’ll start with Islam: Muhammad was a sinner. In Suras 40:55, 47:19, and 48:1-2, Allah tells Muhammad to ask for forgiveness for his sins (translated frailties in some translations.) Certain sins of his are mentioned in Bukhari 1:234 and 8:794-796, which include cutting off people's limbs, burning out their eyes, and making them die of thirst. Other mention of his sins are found in Bukhari 1:19, 711, 781, 3:582, 4:319, 7:1, 8:319.
Arthur Jeffery, a noted theologian of the early-mid 20th century and author of extensive historical studies of middle eastern manuscripts, summarizes the biography of the prophet Muhammad by Ibn Ishaq as follows: "He organizes assassinations and wholesale massacres. His career as tyrant of Medina is that of a robber chief, whose political economy consists in securing and dividing plunder."
Jerry Rassamni, author of From Jihad to Jesus, asks a reasonable question to Muslims... "If Islam's prophet, who is purported to be the model of purity for Muslims, was not in a perfect state of perfection [mutma'inaah], then what hope do other Muslims have in achieving the stage of perfection?" He further asks, "Shouldn't the fruits of a prophet of the Almighty be mercy, benevolence, and brotherhood instead of cold-blooded murder?"
The founder of Christianity... Jesus, was without sin (Acts 10:38; 1 Peter 1:19, 2:21-24; 1 John 2:1, 3:5). Even his enemies, those who betrayed and crucified him, acknowledged his perfect life (Matthew 27:3-4; Luke 23:14-15). This is an important theme in the Bible, but as previously mentioned in this series of articles, it is also confirmed in Islamic teaching (Bukhari 4:506).
Jesus lived the perfect life for us all, for humanity. He did what no human could ever do – rise to live a perfect sinless life, without a single negative, wicked thought or action. This gives profound meaning to his claim to divinity since no one else has ever achieved human perfection since the pre-sin days in the Garden of Eden. His sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of humanity become even more poignant when we consider his divine origin. The Bible says that Jesus gave his life that others may live in a sin-filled world, set apart to Him, with the eternal hope of everlasting life.
Modern Islam is generally considered to be free of racism. However, Muhammad himself owned slaves, including a black slave named Anjasha (Bukhari 3:711, 6:435, 8:182, 8:221, 9:368). In fact, the only places in the world where slavery is practiced today is in Islamic countries.
Slavery was a common practice in the ancient world. Indeed, the Bible seems to acknowledge it as common practice. But Christianity teaches that all people are created equal (Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28). And the Bible specifically condemns the slave trade (1 Timothy 1:9-11).
Consider Jesus, the sinless prophet... in contrast to Muhammad on these key issues:
- was never forgiven, because he had no sin,
- killed no travelers in cold blood,
- never told us to kill anybody,
- was not prejudiced against classes of people,
- did not own slaves,
- did not succumb to the devil and was not bewitched (Matthew 4; Luke 4)
- had high moral standards (never said forcible sex was OK),
- promised to pay the penalty for your sins,
- suffered and died for ALL humanity,
- has no tomb for he rose from the dead, and
- sits enthroned in Heaven at the right Hand of God the Father
- is the eternal Prince of Peace.
Muhammad by his own admission was merely a mortal man (Sura 18:110), and never performed a single miracle (Suras 3:183-184, 17:90-95, Bukhari 6:504, 9:379). The Quran itself acknowledges that Muhammad's opponents challenged him with, "Why is not an angel sent down to him?" to settle the matter of his prophethood (Sura 6:8-9). But Muhammad could not deliver. Yet Jesus performed numerous miracles before many witnesses (Mark 7:37; John 10:38, etc) Jesus' miracles are even confirmed in the Quran (Sura 5:110-113).
Muhammad said of himself that he could do nothing for you (Sura 11:31), but only Jesus can forgive your sins (1 John 2:1-2). In addition to being powerful, Muhammad was wealthy (Bukhari 3:495), which brings into question his true motive. But Jesus was a lowly itinerant rabbi whose motive is not in question. Jesus' status is important because he could relate to the common person of any time:
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering...Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows...He was pierced for our transgression, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed...We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53).
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus' influence came not from wealth or political power, but from his words and actions that challenged people's very concept of truth (Mark 1:27; John 18:38). He said,
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.(John 14:6) (ONE-WAY! Through Jesus, the Christ. NOT any other way, not Muhammad).
Let's consider further the subject of prophecies. One thing that has convinced many of the true identity of Jesus is the evidence from fulfilled prophecies. Jesus fulfilled every single prophecy related to his life and his activities, many made hundreds, even thousands of years before his birth. While some of the prophecies are subtle, many are precise—including his place of birth, and the details of his life and death. Jesus even predicted his own death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21; Acts 10:40.
Abdul Saleeb, who converted to Christianity from Islam, says the two primary things that convinced him that Jesus is more than just a prophet were first, the character of Jesus the man, and second, the' amazing fulfillment of prophecies related to Jesus. This element of prophecy, which is such an important part of Christianity, has no parallel in any other religion. Jesus is the focus and turning point of all of history.
Why would anyone be a follower of Muhammad, or anyone else, when you could be a follower of Jesus, the Savior of the World?
It is clear, with minimal research, that Christianity and Islam are incompatible worldviews. One is right and true... the other is wrong and misleading people to their eternal destruction if they don’t see the truth. The evidence demands every person’s attention. Think of these words from the inspired Holy Bible...
Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the anti-christ—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also...I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (1 John 2:22-23, 26)
Islam... which has captured millions of souls in its vice-like grip, is a false religion and offers no hope of salvation, restoration and peace with the one true God.
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