Jesus and Mohammad, Christianity and Islam

Theology Category Icon

Jesus and Mohammad shaped what Christianity and Islam are today. These two men were born at different places and times in history that touched many lives that begin from birth through their lives to beyond their deaths. Though their teachings were about one God, their beliefs were different in many ways. Tracing their lives to compare and contrast their differences will show each of us the meaning and purpose each of these men had here on earth. The beliefs of Jesus and Mohammad are carried on today throughout society in many different ways.

Comparing their births starts with Jesus being born of the Virgin Mary and adopted father, Joseph around 4 B.C. in the town of Bethlehem. An angel came to Mary to tell her she was going to have a son and to name him “Jesus,” which means “Savior.” Jesus was raised by both Joseph and Mary throughout his childhood. Mohammad was born around 570 A.D. by his mother Aminah and father Abd Allah in the town of Mecca. Mohammad’s name means “Praised One.” Mohammad’s father died before he was born and his Mom died by the age of six leaving Mohammad to be raised by a nurse, then his grandfather and finally by his uncle.

Both these boys had different childhoods as Jesus labored as a carpenter with his adopted father, Joseph and Mohammad started out as a shepherd then became a camel-caravan leader. Jesus at the age of 12, started going into the temple to listen, ask questions of his elders and speaking knowledge of the word that a boy of this age normally would not know. Mohammad traveled many distances as a young boy with his uncle doing main trade routes. Mohammad went to work for a woman by the name of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, who happened to be the wealthiest person in Qurasih. She trusted Mohammad with her trades which brought much money in return.

At the age of 25, Mohammad married the widow woman Khadijah. Mohammed was known to go into the mountains to meditate and pray to God. At the age of 40, according to (Rivzi 2009),On Mount Hira that an Angel by the name of Gabriel came to Mohammad and bought him a message that Allah (God), choose him as the last prophet with a mission to preach submission to the will of Allah. The will of God is that the Prophet to-be should undergo the entire sufferings, pains and privations incidental to human life in order that he might learn to bear them with becoming fortitude and raise his stature in human perfection (Rizvi 2009).

By the age of 30, Jesus was seeking John the Baptist, to perform a baptism for him in the Jordan River. Jesus then went into the wilderness and was tempted by Satan. Jesus as God was in human form here on earth to show that he was thirsty, hungry, and tempted as a normal man but could prove to everyone that he was in perfect form and could resist any temptation. Jesus went on to perform miracles, had followers fall at his feet, and continued to spread the “good news,” the Word of God.

Jesus never married and Mohammed married many times over the course of his life. Jesus was literate and Mohammed was illiterate but commanded by Angel Gabriel to read. Mohammed learned to recite and memorize the revelation of God’s word. This revelation was revealed in the book of Holy Qur’an. With Jesus, the word of God was revealed in the New and Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Jesus lived a life free of sin and did not have to ask forgiveness where Mohammed prayed to Allah (God) sometimes five to seven times daily.

Jesus did not wage any wars, ordered death and established love for everyone around him. Jesus was sent to earth to become a sacrifice for our sins. Believe in Him and have everlasting life. Jesus created a spiritual kingdom while here on earth and was recognized as a Savior, the Son, God, Holy Spirit, Messiah, Redeemer, Prophet, and Lord among other things.

Mohammed created an earthly empire and by the permission of Allah (God) waged war by fighting or leading battles in which he was Messenger of God to reunite all people. One of Mohammad’s best recognized qualities was his representation of his proclamation of principles of universal brotherhood and doctrine of equality of everyone. He was recognized also as a Prophet, a king, a warrior, a businessman, a general, a preacher, a judge, a protector and a saint among other things.

Mohammed became a significant figure in Islam regarding his qualities of honesty, sincerity, and noble virtues where Jesus became a significant figure to Christianity for his qualities of miracles, teaching and knowledge, giving, willingness, and sacrificing himself for our chance at eternal life. Mohammed became ill died sometime in his sixties. Mohammed is believed to have gone to heaven after his passing to be with Allah (God) in Paradise. Jesus was persecuted, tortured, and crucified to death on a cross. Jesus resurrected three days after his burial to ascend back to heaven.

There are those who believe that Jesus’ crucifixion and death symbolized a chance of forgiveness of sins. His death gives those who believe salvation and redemption from hell. There are many disputes over the Christian belief of what transpired during Jesus’ time and has many beliefs and different denominations that are known today. Mohammed’s death was merely losing a leader, someone of importance to the traditions, faith and unity of Islam. Again, Mohammad’s death created different beliefs and splitting the Islamic faith.

Christians today follow the teachings of the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible. The common belief for Christianity is that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ here on earth to pay a price for our sins, so that we would have a chance at Eternal Life, residing with him in Heaven. For those who do not believe in Jesus as their personal Savior and ask for forgiveness will pay the price and reside in the fiery pits of hell forever. The common belief for Muslims is their full submission to Allah, the only God. Muslims strive hard to protect the Holy Qur’an to its original form. Muslims also believe that at the end of the world, each one will resurrect from the grave and be held accountable for his or her actions on earth and those who were good, will reside in Heaven and those who were bad, will reside in hell.

Both Jesus and Mohammed were extraordinary men for their time here on earth and the religion they taught others, setting an example to others, and holding true to their faith and belief in God (Allah) to their followers. Throughout history both religions, Christianity and Islam have created many conflicts among many people but each person is entitled to his or her beliefs and most hold true to their heart what is considered to be religiously correct. Everyone according to the Christianity and Islamic belief is that each of us will be held accountable on Judgment Day.

Scroll to Top