DOCTRINAL AND THEOLOGICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN ISLAM AND
CHRISTIANITY.
Both Islam and Christianity subscribe to the conviction of the deliverance of sin and its penalties, also termed as salvation. However, they each go separate way in their path for salvation. This is where the great divide begins that affected the centuries old relationship between Islam and Christianity. And the prime factor that contributes to this rift in the path towards salvation is the Christian Doctrine of Sin (Hamartiology).
Again although both Islam and Christianity acknowledge that sin is disobedience to God that is as far as they could see eye to eye. Islam refutes the attributes of sin as advocated in Christianity.
Christian Doctrine of Salvation and Theology.
In Christianity, sin is inheritable from Adam the first transgressor. Hence we are all born sinners. Further, the effect of sin according to Christianity is a severe relationship with God leading to our separation from God. However, this separation from God can only be restored if our sin is redeemed through a sacrifice of a sinless person. Since all human are born sinners and only God is sinless it follows that God had to incarnate as a sinless Godly person in the form of Christ @ The Son of God to be sacrificed in our place. It is only upon the sacrifice of such a sinless Godly person will God grant the forgiveness of our sin and re-establish His relationship with us. Hence the Christian Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology) is founded upon their Doctrine of Sin. That accounts for the sin centricity in their salvation plan.
Had the attributes, nature, effect and redemption of sin been otherwise then their Doctrine of Salvation as well as their path towards salvation would also vary. And Christ need not be a God incarnate @ The Son of God after all just so as to accommodate the requisites of a vicarious atonement. In other words, the Christian Doctrine of God or Theology is defined by their Doctrine of Salvation and NOT BY GOD HIMSELF!
Finally, according to the church salvation is by grace of God only and not by deeds. Our deeds are futile for only the elected are saved. Further to be a Christian the elected is not only required to having faith in the redemptive works of Christ but also to believing that Christ was resurrected from the grave. Only then will a Christian gain eternal life and never perish for such is the reward of attaining salvation from God.
Salvation and Theology in Islam
Salvation in Islam is only from Allah the Merciful and Beneficent. He forgives us as He forgives Adam and Eve. He does not burden us beyond our burden neither with the burden of others. For that reason sin is not inheritable in Islam. Hence we are all born sinless. Accordingly we are measured and judged by our own deeds. A Muslim submits totally to Allah, do good deeds and follow the way of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In case of wrongdoings a Muslim needs only to sincerely repent from his transgression and seek forgiveness directly from Allah with a pledge of an immediate end in his misdemeanor as Allah is All-Forgiving. A sinning Muslim may incur the wrath of Allah yet His Love, Magnanimity and Mercifulness surpasses His wrath that He is ever willing to forgive those who truthfully seek for His forgiveness. Hence sin in Islam does not result in any separation from Allah. Rather it provides an opportunity for the sinner to reach for Allah. As such a Muslim is an Allah conscious person who constantly seek for the favor of Allah. That accounts for the Allah centricity in the Islamic call to salvation.
The oneness of Allah is the dominant foundation of Islamic theology. Islam professes the unity of Allah or Tawheed in contrast to the tri-unity of God in Christianity. Allah Himself proclaimed in surah Al-Ikhlas that He is one and only. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none like Him. The All-Powerful and Self-Sufficient Allah need only say, “ Be “ and it is done.
Allah promises a blissful life in Paradise as the reward for the righteous Muslim. While those who do not earn the favor of Allah are thrown into the pits of Hell. It is in this light that the Just, Wise, Merciful and Loving Allah sends His guidance to us in His revelations to His Messengers and Prophets from Adam (pbuh) to Muhammad (pbuh) so that every soul be rightly guided. Islam therefore is the best of fortune from Allah and a mercy to all of His creation.
By:
Engku A Fauzi
January 13, 2001
Kemaman
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