Islam and Judaism

Abstract

The paper discusses the comparison between Islam and Judaism and provides a detail analysis of the background of the two religions. The research also identifies the differences between the two religions with respect to the beliefs and values and scriptures. Furthermore, the research also discusses the historical background of the two religions with a neutral stance.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Thesis Statement1

Aims and Objectives1

Discussion2

Judaism2

Islam3

Conclusion5

References7

Islam and Judaism

Introduction

There are a number of places in the Quran and a variety of contexts, ranging from storytelling among the children of Israel and talking about the Jews. For instance, the hostile relation between the Jews and the Muslims and the aggressive history, which people from the two religions share. Islam recognizes the Torah from God, a book in which was guidance and light and that it misrepresented thereafter. The Quran mentions a number of prophets and apostles of the Jews (Israelites) and Jesus Christ as part of the faith of Muslims. Furthermore, the Quran distinguishes between the Jews who believe in Allah, His Messages and messengers who are the saved group in Islam and the Jews who reject Allah and His Messengers, as believed by some of the scholars to have the wrath of God.

Thesis Statement

There is a significant difference between the beliefs and teachings of Islam and Judaism.

Aims and Objectives

The aim and objective of this research is to provide a comparison between Judaism and Islam with a neutral stance.

Discussion

Judaism

The religion practiced by Jews i.e. Judaism is a monotheistic religion. It strictly is a one god religion. According to Judaism, an absolute reality means that god is one. The Jewish doctrine or Torah preaches the Jews to witness that the oneness of god and humans can have contact with him. The core beliefs in Judaism are the oneness of god, and the obligation to worship him alone. The faith in the unity and eternity of god is the profound thought in Judaism. God is immortal, was there before anything and will be there after everything. In other words, his existence is beyond the factors of space and time. Prophet-hood is a basic manifestation of Judaism (Weston, 2007).

The fundamental dogmas in this religion are The Thirteen Articles of Faith of Maimonides. They are god's existence, the creator, his ultimate reality, his immortality, his eternity, the obligation to worship him alone. In addition, the prophet hood, Moses is superior to all others; god revealed Torah to Moses, and the Torah is immutable. The other articles are god knows everything, prior to its happening punishments and rewards based on deeds, the arrival of Messiah, and the resurrection of the dead. Therefore, believing in absolute reality of god is the fundamental and core belief in Judaism.

This belief of absolute reality has a connection to the understanding of a human being. The Jews believe that they have a special connection with God as he revealed the Torah to them at Mt. Sinai. If they obey God's law, God shall shower him with mercy. Man is free to choose the path, right ...