Understand
The three faiths, side by side
Islam, Christianity, and Judaism tell one connected story with real differences. This table shows mainstream positions honestly; every tradition also contains variety within itself. Notice how often Islam and Judaism align on structure, and how much Islam shares with Christianity on Jesus and the end of days.
God
Islam ☪️
One God (Allah), absolutely singular; no partners, no offspring. (Tawhid)
Christianity ✝️
One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Trinity)
Judaism ✡️
One God (HaShem), absolutely singular. (Shema)
Jesus
Islam ☪️
The Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary; a mighty prophet who will return. Not divine.
Christianity ✝️
The Messiah, Son of God, God incarnate; crucified and resurrected; will return.
Judaism ✡️
Not the Messiah; a historical figure outside Jewish theology.
Muhammad ﷺ
Islam ☪️
The final prophet, bringing the last revelation.
Christianity ✝️
Not recognised as a prophet.
Judaism ✡️
Not recognised as a prophet.
Scripture
Islam ☪️
The Quran (final revelation), plus belief in the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel as originally revealed.
Christianity ✝️
The Bible: Old and New Testaments.
Judaism ✡️
The Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, Writings) and the Talmudic tradition.
Abraham
Islam ☪️
Patriarch and prophet; forefather of Muhammad ﷺ through Ishmael.
Christianity ✝️
Patriarch; father of the faith through Isaac.
Judaism ✡️
Patriarch; father of the covenant through Isaac.
Original sin
Islam ☪️
None: Adam and Eve repented and were forgiven; every child is born pure.
Christianity ✝️
Humanity inherits a fallen nature from Adam; redemption through Christ.
Judaism ✡️
No original sin doctrine; humans have inclinations to good and evil.
Salvation
Islam ☪️
Faith in the one God plus righteous deeds, and above all God's mercy.
Christianity ✝️
By grace through faith in Christ; traditions differ on the role of works.
Judaism ✡️
Covenant faithfulness: ethical life and observance of the commandments.
Afterlife
Islam ☪️
Bodily resurrection, Day of Judgement, Paradise and Hell.
Christianity ✝️
Resurrection, judgement, Heaven and Hell.
Judaism ✡️
World to Come affirmed, with wide variety of views and less emphasis.
Prayer
Islam ☪️
Five set daily prayers facing Makkah, plus personal supplication anytime.
Christianity ✝️
No fixed obligatory schedule; liturgical hours in some traditions.
Judaism ✡️
Three daily prayer services facing Jerusalem.
Fasting
Islam ☪️
Ramadan: dawn to sunset for a month each year.
Christianity ✝️
Lent and other fasts in many traditions, variously observed.
Judaism ✡️
Yom Kippur and other fast days: sunset to nightfall, no food or water.
Food laws
Islam ☪️
Halal: no pork or alcohol; ritual slaughter.
Christianity ✝️
Generally no food laws (Acts 10); some traditions fast from foods.
Judaism ✡️
Kosher: no pork or shellfish; meat/dairy separation; ritual slaughter.
Charity
Islam ☪️
Zakat: obligatory 2.5% of wealth annually, plus voluntary sadaqah.
Christianity ✝️
Tithing traditions (10% historically) and almsgiving.
Judaism ✡️
Tzedakah: obligatory righteousness-giving, traditionally 10%.
Clergy
Islam ☪️
No priesthood; imams lead prayer, scholars interpret. Direct access to God.
Christianity ✝️
Ordained clergy in most traditions; sacramental roles vary.
Judaism ✡️
No priesthood since the Temple; rabbis are teachers, not intermediaries.
Holy city
Islam ☪️
Makkah (also Madinah and Jerusalem).
Christianity ✝️
Jerusalem (and Rome for Catholics).
Judaism ✡️
Jerusalem.
Islam's self-understanding is not "a new religion" but the completion of this one continuing story. That case is made gently in the explore journey.