UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CHIRSTIAN AND MUSLIM ISSUES

The Proper Relationship Between Christians And Muslims
According To Each Religion's Highest Written Authority

By Rev. Bill McGinnis - PublicDomain

INTRODUCTION

The world is well aware that a fundamental tension has long existed between Islam and Christianity. The underlying theological reason for this tension is best understood by comparing two verses from Scripture: Sura 112 from the Qur'an (Islam's highest written authority) and John 3:16 from the Bible (Christianity's highest written authority.) Sura 112 is considered by many Muslims to be the most important single statement in Islam, and John 3:16 is considered by many Christians to be the most important single statement in Christianity. The fundamental conflict is that the Qur'an says Allah (God) did not father any children in any way, and that no one is like Him; but the Bible says that Jesus is God's Son and that anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life. Islam accepts Jesus, but only as one of the many prophets who came before Mohammed, not as the only-begotten Son of God.

[112.1] Say: He, Allah, is One.
[112.2] Allah is He on Whom all depend.
[112.3] He begets not, nor is He begotten.
[112.4] And none is like Him.
                                      Qur'an 112:1-4
                                      (Shakir Translation)

       For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
       that whoever believes in him should not perish but
       have eternal life. 
                                      Bible: John 3:16
                                      (Revised Standard Version)

The Qur'an and Bible I am using here are the ones available online from the University Of Michigan by following THIS LINK. The Revised Standard translation of the Bible (RSV) and the M. H. Shakir translation of the Qur'an are both widely available and widely accepted. If you want to consult other translations, you can easily do so by searching for "Bible online" and "Qur'an online" at Google.com. To a Muslim, it is blasphemy to say that Jesus is the Son of God. To a Christian, it is blasphemy to say that Jesus is not the Son of God. This is the fundamental conflict between Islam and Christianity, and it cannot be papered over with smiles and pleasant words.
Nevertheless, it is quite possible for both religions to live side-by-side in peaceful co-existence. In fact, the Qur'an specifically instructs Muslims to accept and tolerate Christians, and the Bible instructs Christians to live at peace with all people, as we will show below.

THE WAY CHRISTIANS SHOULD ACT TOWARD MUSLIMS

The Bible instructs Christians to live at peace with all people, as much as it is possible to do so. Further, Christians are instructed not to seek revenge for personal offenses, but to leave vengeance to God.

If possible, so far as it depends upon you,
        live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge
        yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; 
        for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay,
        says the Lord."
                              Bible: Romans 12:18-19
                              (Revised Standard Version) 

THE WAY MUSLIMS SHOULD ACT TOWARD CHRISTIANS

The Qur'an instructs Muslims to give Christians nothing to fear and not to cause Christians to grieve. Further, the Qur'an instructs Muslims that there should be no compulsion in religion. Therefore Christians, all of whom believe in Allah (God), believe in the Last day (Judgment Day) and try to do good, should be allowed to live in peace, even if they do not convert to Islam.

[2.62] Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the 
Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day 
and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is 
no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.

[2.256] There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become 
clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan 
and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which 
shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

                               Qur'an 2.62 and 2.256
                               (Shakir Translation)

TERRORISM ALWAYS EXCEEDS THE LIMITS SET BY ALLAH (GOD)

No matter what justification for it may exist, terrorism always exceeds the limits set by Allah (God), because terrorism deliberately intends to kill innocent people.

[2.190] And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and 
do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the 
limits.

[18.74] So they went on until, when they met a boy, he slew him. (Musa) 
said: Have you slain an innocent person otherwise than for manslaughter? 
Certainly you have done an evil thing.

                      Qur'an 2.190, 18.74
                      (Shakir Translation)


              Their feet run to evil,
              and they make haste to shed innocent blood;
              their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity,
              desolation and destruction are in their highways
                   
                          Bible: Isaiah 59:7
                          (Revised Standard Version)

Blessings to you and to all who read these words.