Islam and Other Faiths
Muslims may seem strange or foreign to a person for whom religious faith does not play a big part in daily life. Muslims themselves feel that their faith is a natural way of life and part of the same monotheistic tradition as Christianity and Judaism. The three Abrahamic faiths share many of the same prophets, beliefs, and historical accounts. Muslims generally try to focus on the similarities and engage in respectful dialogue with believers of other monotheistic religions.
Father Abraham
Islam recognizes Abraham as “a man of truth, a prophet” (Qur'an 19:41). Muslims respect his legacy and believe they are following in his footsteps of faith. Abraham rejected all types of polytheism and called upon people to worship God Alone. Muslims believe that he and other prophets preached the message of Islam.
Why do Muslims call Abraham a Muslim when he lived before Islam was founded?
Muslims point out that Abraham lived before the faiths of Judaism and Christianity existed also. They claim that Abraham, like all other prophets, submitted his will to God, believed in Him, and followed His guidance — actions that are the essence of Islam.
Many people assume that Islam came into existence in the seventh century
Muslims, Christians, Jews
Islam teaches that those of the Jewish or Christian faith are “People of the Book,” meaning those who have received previous prophets and scriptures. Muslims respect the prophets of Judaism and Christianity and believe that the faiths share the same original teachings.
Muslims are to speak to Jewish and Christian believers with words of respectful advice and to try to find common ground. Islam teaches that Muslims should say, “Oh People of the Book! Come to common terms between us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we do not erect, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God …” (Qur'an 3:64). Islam calls upon all people to engage in respectful dialogue, seek the signs of God in the natural world, and reflect on His message throughout time.
However, Islam teaches that followers of Christianity and Judaism have digressed from the teachings of God. While their origins were pure, their beliefs and practices today are corrupted forms of the faith that all prophets preached.
