UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
Islam and other religions
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ISLAM, CHRISTIANITY AND JEWISM
WHAT'S IN COMMON?
WHAT'S DIFFERENT?
HOW TO DEAL WITH OTHER RELIGIONS?
WHY SEVERAL RELIGIONS FROM GOD?
SO HOW DID THE PRESENT SITUATION (3 RELIGIONS) ARISE?

WHAT'S IN COMMON?
Islam is not against Christianity or Jewism. In fact, he is not a Muslim who does not believe in the previous prophets and holy books. Jesus, Moses and many other prophets are mentioned in our holy book (Quraan). As Muslims, we must believe in all Prophets.
Muslims; in common with Christians and Jews, believe in and worship God, believe in life after death where there will be reward and punishment. Although some details in religious regulations and proceedings may differ, the principle remains the same; all of us believe we should obey God, treat eachother nicely and behave well.
 
WHAT'S DIFFERENT?
TWO MAIN THINGS as far as beliefs are concerned:
1. Moslems believe there is ONLY ONE GOD who has created the heavens, earth and all creatures.
Allah is the God of everything and everyone. He does not need assistance from anyone and has no partner or companion.
"THERE'S NO GOD BUT ALLAH"
2. Moslems believe in ALL prophets; contrary to Christians who do not believe in Mohammad and Jews who do not believe in
Mohammad or Jesus.
"MOHAMMAD IS THE MESSANGER OF ALLAH"
 
HOW TO DEAL WITH OTHER RELIGIONS?
We have been ordered to treat those who follow these religions well. If we discuss matters of Religion with them it should be in a gentle and considerate way. Forcing anyone into Islam, attacking them or violating their rights in any way is prohibited.
 
WHY SEVERAL RELIGIONS FROM GOD?
 
We believe it is one religion from Adam the father of mankind through Noah, Ibrahim (Abraham), Moses, Jesus to Mohammad (PBUT). After sometime had passed following each messanger, people required to be reminded about God
and religion. The basic principles have always been the same: One God created Heavens, earth and all creatures, everyone must worship and obey God and behave well. There will be a second life after death where there would be Paradise for those who obeyed and Hell for those who did not.
 
No prophet disbelieved in previous ones; although God sometimes changed some of the fine details of what's allowed and what's not and how to worship God.
We believe that it has been appropriate for those people who lived at the time of each prophet to follow him.
Those living at the time of Moses (PBUH) and after had to follow him. The message of Jesus (PBUH) did not deny Moses. People then had to believe in Jesus,in addition to (NOT INSTEAD OF) Moses. Similarly, the message of Mohammad (PBUH) has not denied any previous prophet or message. Since that time, people should have believed in Mohammad as they believed in the earlier prophets. That's NOT a change in belief as we consider them all ONE RELIGION.
 
The greatest myth in all that is that Islam, Christianity and Jewism are parallel choices. THEY ARE NOT. IT'S ALL ONE RELIGION. It's just that Muslims believe in all prophets and messages from God, while some of those who had been following Moses and Jesus (PBUT) did not believe in Mohammad (PBUH).
And then some people who came after that stage believed that they had to choose between religions.
We believe that:
* There is only one God
* All prophets came with the same religion. Ibrahim (Abraham; PBUH) has called those who follow that religion "MOSLEMS"
* The prophets are not in competition with eachother and their messages are not alternatives to chose from
* Everyone should believe in all prophets including Mohammad (PBUH)
* God tells us that Mohammad (PBUH) would be the last prophet and that the holy Quran would be protected by God till they day of doom
 
That's what we believe. We have been ordered not to impose this on anyone.
 
SO HOW DID THE PRESENT SITUATION (3 RELIGIONS) ARISE?
 
When Moses (PBUH) came with the message of Allah, there were only two types of people; those who believed and those who did not. When Jesus (PBUH) then came, three different beliefs existed
(in addition to those who believed in neither of both prophets):

1. Those who believed in Moses but NOT Jesus (Currently Jews)
2. Those who believed in both Moses and Jesus but considered Jesus to be God or the son of God (Most current christians)
3. Those who believed (in addition to Moses) that Jesus (PBUH) is a human being; prophet and messenger of God (we believe this is the appropriate belief)
 
600 years later, Mohamad (PBUH) came and many people from the previous categories followed Islam while others remained in their beliefs (accordingly disbelieving Mohamad)
 

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