Islam and Judaism

Judaism, the religion of the Jewish people, is one of the world’s oldest religions. Like many other religions, Islam has roots in it. All of Judaism’s Prophets and Holy Scriptures are holy to Islam. Not only this, but the Holy Land to Judaism is also a Holy Land to Islam. The most important aspects of Judaism, the concept of One God or Sh’ma, is also Islam’s most important aspect. Both faiths concentrate on the importance of such aspect and its essentiality. Because of these and other things that Judaism and Islam have in common, one would assume the people who follow such faiths would be so close. However, history teaches us that Muslims and Jews are anything but close. So, the question is, what happened?

The People, Not the Faith

If a non-Jew and a non-Muslim come together and they examine the faiths, they will find no faults between them. However, ask any Jew or Muslim and they will tell you all these stuff between the faiths. When, in truth, the faiths are basically one faith that seems to continue from whatever it was before(which Islam says is "Islam") to Judaism to Christianity to Islam, etc. So, absolutely, it is not the faiths that are in conflict, but the people. Let us examine:

Who Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

The word Judaism does not show up in the Bible, but nor does the word Islam show up. We see some people and their God from Genesis, which in Hebrew is called Barashet(Lit: the Beginning.) Thus, in such ‘beginning’ we see that a God shows up with people. These people continue throughout times beginning with a couple called Adam and Eve. During such continuance, the name Abraham shows up. And the Jews of today trace their faith back to that and say that Abraham was the first Jew(Note how Adam is not the first Jew.) However, according to Judaism, Judaism is basically lawless until Moses comes and Judaism is really born with the Israelites leaving and the Torah being given to Moses(to his people.) Intellectually, the above does not make sense at all. But that is what most Jews believe.

Islam, on the other hand, seems to be consistent. Islam claims from Adam to Muhammad. While Judaism distinguishes the Jewish people from the people of Noah and Jews seem to be special, Islam not only includes the people of the past but requires Muslims to NOT make distinction between God’s Prophets and Messengers. Intellectually, this makes sense. This makes sense because, whether true or not true, Islam takes the responsibility, good or bad, from the Dawn of Mankind.

Who Is Right Then?

This page is not meant to point fingers at any faith. As Muslims, we invite people to study Islam for themselves. Faith is personal and that it must be. However, as Muslims, we are required to tell what it and what is not. We cannot make a distinction between what the world knows as "Judaism" and "Islam." We simply see them to be one Faith, along with Christianity. Of course, Islam is a bit different from these other faiths. But, then again, within Islam you will find such and similar differences. Islam(Lit: Submission) is the Religion of God to all Mankind. Most of the religions known to man are part of Islam. Of course, like Judaism or any other sect, they remain a sect and God will judge between all of us, as it says in the Quran:

And We have revealed to you the Book with the truth, verifying what is before it of the Book and a guardian over it, therefore judge between them by what God has revealed, and do not follow their low desires (to turn away) from the truth that has come to you; for every one of you did We appoint a law and a way, and if God had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to God is your return, of all (of you), so He will let you know that in which you differed; Surrat ul Ma’idah, 5.48

Therefore, to each his own and to God shall we all return. He will judge us and in His perfect Judgement will we all be judged.

Jews or Believers?

Who are Believers, anyway? Are not believers those God plainly explains in the Quran? Read on:

Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who keep aloof from what is vain, and who are givers of poor-rate, and who guard their private parts, except before their mates or those whom their right hands possess, for they surely are not blameable, but whoever seeks to go beyond that, these are they that exceed the limits; And those who are keepers of their trusts and their covenant, and those who keep a guard on their prayers; These are they who are the heirs, who shall inherit the Paradise; they shall abide therein. the Believers, 23:1-11.

If a Jew fits that description, then by all means, such a Jew or ANYONE else, for that matter, is a Believer. However, the Quran makes it perfect clear that Jews and Christians have believers in them;

They are not all alike; of the followers of the Book there is an upright party; they recite God's revelations in the nighttime and they adore (Him). They believe in God and the last day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in hastening to good deeds, and those are among the good. And whatever good they do, they shall not be denied it, and God knows those who guard (against evil). Surrat ul Ala `Amran, 3:113-115

Therefore, as you can see, Jews along with Christians are considered to have believers among them. To some Jews, they may ask "how come not all Jews are considered believers?" Well, we ask you, does Judaism consider all Jews believers? Well, then! There are Buddhists Jews(actually, 20% of Jews in Israel are Buddhists, as a Jewish website reports.) There are also atheist Jews and many other folks who do not believe in God but are considered Jews.

How Do We Fix This?

After you tell all that to a Jew or a Muslim, he turns and asks "How do we fix this?" By doing what the Quran suggests; Live and Let Live! God says that He will judge us on His terms. Believe in Him and go home!

______________________________________

[Islam and Other Faiths] [Christianity][Jerusalem]

There is no god but God