Judaism And Islam
The world at large has very many religions and Judaism and Islam are just two examples. Most of the world religions seem to share some beliefs, for example belief in a supreme being who is in control of the world. Some of these religions even share a common origin for example Christianity and Judaism. However, considerable differences exist in the practice of the various religions and as thus a distinct line can be drawn separating them.
Judaism is the traditional religion of the Jews and it is more like a culture or a way of life for them. It is also one of the oldest religions in the world. Judaism is made up of the Jewish law called the Torah as well as customs and individual practices. It also perpetuates God as the ruler of everyone. Islam on the other hand is the religion perpetuated by the Quran. The Quran was given by their god who is referred to as Allah and it came in the hands of Allah’s most faithful prophet, Muhammad. The Islamic law in the Quran guides all aspects of a follower’s life. The followers of this religion are called Judaists.
There are some characteristics that can be applied in the context of these two religions. These characteristics include but are not limited to eschatology, worship and Holy Scriptures. Eschatology refers to the beliefs in the final destiny of the world. This is a characteristic shared by many religions of the world Judaism and Islam included. Worship is also a common practice in both Islam and Judaism as is the Holy Scriptures.
The beliefs in eschatology could be seen to have some similarities and major differences. Both religions do believe in the end of the world and the coming of a time in which the fate of everyone will be decided. Eschatology in Islam is shown in the words of Prophet Muhammad regarding the Judgement day. He says that ten signs will appear some of which will be minor signs and the others major signs. Some of the minor signs include loss of honesty, emergence of great lies and great evil in rulers. The Major signs according to Muhammad are Smoke, appearance of Dajjal or the antichrist, sunrise in the west, three sinkings in the earth and the coming of a creature that will wound people. There will also be the appearance of the Gog and Amagog as well as the second return of Jesus Christ.
Islam believes in the rising of both the dead and the righteous at the end of time for judgement. The destiny of people will be either hell or heaven according to their deeds when they were alive. Everyone will go through death and then life in a grave and only those who die in Jihad will be exempted from life in the grave. According to the Muslim beliefs, when the Muslim Jesus returns, he will convert the world to Islam, break the cross, slain all Jews, become a Muslim himself, get married and then die after forty years. It is a must for every Muslim to believe in eschatology.
The Judaistic eschatology is depicted as a period of great suffering and tribulation. There will many events of turmoil that will disrupt the order of the world. However, the Jews believe that the temple that was in Jerusalem will be rebuilt and all their enemies defeated. The synagogues that were originally in Babylon and also the study halls will be rebuilt. This time will also involve the coming of the Jewish Messiah who is believed to be Jesus. This belief is similar to Islam’s second coming of Jesus. The Jewish Messiah will rule over Israel and restore their tribes. As in the Islam religion, Jews also believe in the resurrection of the dead. Another similar belief to that of Islam is the emergence of Gog and Magog. There will be a great battle fought by Magog called the Armageddon in which very many people will perish but God will save the lives of the Jews. After the final enemy is destroyed, the world will enjoy peace there will be holiness and spirituality. This is seen the final purpose of the creation and will come after the resurrection of the dead during the Messianic era. As opposed to Islam, Jewish eschatology places little emphasis on the fate of individuals in the end time. Also Jews do not believe in the existence of heaven and hell after death but in a paradise on earth in the seventh millennium where people will live happily for eternity.
Worship and belief in Holy Scriptures is also another characteristic that applies to both Judaism and Islam. Muslims are staunch believers in the worship of only Allah and this is demonstrated by the famous phrase, “none to be worshipped but Allah”. Worship is considered to be anything done or uttered to please Allah including rituals, social activities, contribution to the welfare of the society and beliefs. There is a holy place for worshipping Allah called a mosque where Muslims go on Friday to worship. One does not enter the mosque with shoes.
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