SIMILARITIES BETWEEN
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY
by
Dr. Zakir Naik
Al-Qur'ân
3:64
Al-Qur'ân
20:25-28
Greet you in the same manner as Jesus (pbuh) greeted in Hebrew
Luke 24:36
‘Sholam alay kum’
or Islamic greeting in Arabic Assalaamu alai kum
both meaning ‘Peace be on you’.
INTRODUCTION
Similarities / Similar Teachings in
the Qur'ân and
the Bible which Muslims follow but
Christians don't
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I
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ISLAM
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1.
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DEFINITION
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A.
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Meaning of Islam
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(i)
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Islam is derived from the word salaam meaning peace.
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(ii)
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Submission to the Will of Allah (swt) i.e. God Almighty.
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B.
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Meaning of ‘Muslim’ – One who submits his will to Allah.
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C.
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Islam is not a new religion found by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
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2.
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MESSENGERS IN ISLAM
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A.
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(i)
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To every nation was sent a Guide or a Messenger
Al-Qur'an 35:24
Al-Qur'an 13:7
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(ii)
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25 Prophets mentioned by name in the Qur'an
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(iii)
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Islam is the only non-Christian faith that believes in Jesus (pbuh)
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(iv)
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Stories only of some prophets mentioned in Qur'an
Al-Qur'an 4:164
Al-Qur'an 40:78
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(v)
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More than 1,24,000 Messengers according to Hadith
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B.
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(i)
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Previous Messengers were only sent for their people and nation and their
complete message was meant only for a particular time period.
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(ii)
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Moses (pbuh) was only sent for the Jews.
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(iii)
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Jesus (pbuh) sent only for the Jews i.e. lost sheep of Israel.
Al-Qur'an 3:49
Mathew 10:5-6
Mathew 15:24
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(iv)
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Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Last and Final Messenger for the
Whole of Mankind.
Al-Qur'an 33:40
Al-Qur'an 21:107
Al-Qur'an 34:28
Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Book of Salaah Chapter 56 Hadith No. 429
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(v)
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Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised in the Bible.
Al-Qur'an 7:157
Al-Qur'an 61:6
Deuteronomy 18:18
Isaiah 29:12
Song of Solomon 5:16
John 16:7
John 16:12-14
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3.
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REVELATIONS OF GOD
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A.
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Several Revelations sent by Allah – Al-Qur'an 13:38.
By name only four are mentioned in the Qur’an.
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B.
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(i)
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The Qur’an is the Last and Final Revelation.
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(ii)
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All previous Revelations before Qur'an were only sent for a particular group
of people and for a particular time period
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(iii)
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The Qur’an was Revealed for the Whole of Mankind
Al-Qur'an 14:1
Al-Qur'an 14:52
Al-Qur'an 2:185
Al-Qur'an 39:41
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II
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PILLARS OF ISLAM:
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1.
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Tauheed: Monotheism
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A.
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La ilaha ilallahu, Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullah
Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1 Hadith No. 7
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B.
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Believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels and the Book and the
Messengers.
Al-Qur'an 2:177
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C.
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Come to common terms — Worship of one God
Al-Qur'an 3:64
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D.
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Concept of God
Al-Qur'an 112:1-4
Deuteronomy 6:4
Mark 12:29
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E.
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Shirk
– Biggest Sin
Al-Qur'an 4:48
Al-Qur'an 4:116
Exodus 20:2-5
Deuteronomy 5:7-9
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F.
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Jesus (pbuh) not God. He never claimed Divinity
Al-Qur'an 5:72
John 14:28
John 10:29
Mathew 12:28
Luke 11:20
John 5:30
Acts 2:21
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G.
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99 Attributes of Almighty God
Al-Qur'an 17:110
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H.
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Prefer using name ‘Allah’ rather than the word ‘God’ as the word ‘God’ can be
played around with. Allah in the Bible – Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani
Mark 15:34
Mathew 27:46
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2.
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Salaah
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A.
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Not merely Prayers but Programming
Al-Qur'an 5:90
Al-Qur'an 2:188
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B.
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Prayers restrain you from shameful and unjust deeds
Al-Qur'an
29:45
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C.
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Salaah
timings – for healthy soul five times a day
. Al-Qur'an 17:78
Al-Qur'an 20:130
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D.
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Take off shoes before entering mosque.
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(i)
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Commandment of Allah to Moses
Al-Qur'an 20:11-12
Exodus 3:5
Acts 7:33
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(ii)
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Can Pray with Shoes.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 240,
Hadith No. 652-653.
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(iii)
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Hygienic
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E.
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Ablution
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(i)
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Al-Qur'an 5:6
Exodus 40:31-32
Acts 21:26
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(ii)
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Hygienic
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(iii)
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Mental Preparation
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F.
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Stand shoulder to shoulder, while praying –
Sahih Bukhari – Vol. 1, Book of Adhan Chapter 75 Hadith no. 692
Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah Chapter 245 Hadith No. 666.
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G.
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Sujud – Prostration
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(i)
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To humble your mind, humble your body
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(ii)
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Sujud mentioned 92 times in the Qur’an
Al-Qur'an 3:43
Al-Qur'an 22:77
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(iii)
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Prostration in the Bible
Genesis 17:3; Numbers 20:6
Joshua 5:14; Mathew 26:39
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3.
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Zakaah
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A.
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Meaning: Purification and Growth
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B.
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Description: 2.5% of saving every lunar year in charity
Al-Qur'an 9:60
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C.
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If every human being gives Zakaah, not a single person will die of
hunger.
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D.
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"Wealth does not circulate only amongst the wealthy and the rich"
Al-Qur'an 59:7
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E.
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I Peter 4:8
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4.
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SAUM - FASTING
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A.
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Description – one lunar month i.e. during the month of Ramadaan every
lunar year, Muslims fast, i.e. abstain from food and drinks from sunrise till
sunset.
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B.
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Benefits: learn self restraint. If you can control your hunger you can control
almost all your desires. It enhances spiritual awareness.
Al-Qur'an 2:183
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C.
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Medical Benefits:
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(a)
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Increases absorption capacity of intestines
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(b)
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Lowers cholestrol.
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D.
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Discourages smoking, alcoholism and other addictions.
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E.
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Bible prescribes Fasting
Mathew 17:21
Mark 9:29
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5.
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HAJJ
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A.
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Description – Pilgrimage atleast once in life time if you can afford it
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B.
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Universal Brotherhood – 2.5 million people from all over the world gather,
wear two pieces of unsewn cloth, preferably white. Cannot differentiate
between rich and poor.
Al-Qur'an 49:13
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C.
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Significance of Kaaba – Muslims don’t worship it
Psalms 84:4-7
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III
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ISLAM IS A COMPLETE WAY OF LIFE
These five
pillars do not constitute complete Islam. Only if the pillars are strong,
will the structure be strong.
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1.
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HUMANS CREATED TO WORSHIP ALLAH
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A.
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Jinn
and Man created for worship of Allah
Al-Qur'an 51:56
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B.
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Meaning of Ibadaah – root word Abd meaning ‘slave’.
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2.
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OBEYING COMMANDMENTS OF ALLAH IS SUBMITTING YOUR WILL TO ALLAH
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A.
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Abstaining from alcohol
Al-Qur'an 5:90
Proverbs 20:1
Ephesians 5:18
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B.
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Abstaining from prohibited food
Al-Qur'an 5:5
Al-Qur'an 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115
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(i)
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Dead meat
Leviticus 17:15
Deuteronomy 14:21
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(ii)
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Blood
Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:14, Deuteronomy 12:16,
I Samuel 14:33, Acts 15:29
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(iii)
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Pork is prohibited
Leviticus 11:7-8
Deuteronomy 14:8
Isaiah 65:2-5
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(vi)
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Food on which names beside Allah have been invoked
Acts 15:29; Revelation 2:14
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C.
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(i)
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Being Honest in your Business
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(ii)
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Helping Neighbours
Al-Qur'an 107:1-7
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(iii)
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Abstaining from Backbiting
Al-Qur'an 104:1-3
Al-Qur'an 49:11-12
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(iv)
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Obeying and Respecting Parents
Al-Qur'an 17:23, 24
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(v)
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Celibacy or Monasticism is prohibited in Islam
Sahih Bukhari: Vol. 7 Book of Nikah, Chapter No. 3, Hadith No. 4
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(vi)
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Loving, being Kind and Just to your Wife
Al-Qur'an 4:19
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(vii)
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Abstaining from Adultery
Al-Qur'an 17:32
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D.
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Dressing Modestly
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(i)
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Al-Qur'an 24:30
Mathew 5:27-28
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(ii)
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Al-Qur'an 24:31
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(iii)
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Six Criteria for Hijab in Islam
Deuteronomy 22:5
I Timothy 2:9 e.g. of Mary
I Corinthians 11:5-6
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E.
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Circumcision
Acts 7:8
John 7:22
Luke 2:21
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F.
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In short, every Muslim should follow all the Commandments of Allah (swt) and His
Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and abstain from the things they have
prohibited.
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CONCLUSION
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(a)
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If Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Christ (pbuh) and not
one who worships Christ (pbuh). (We are more Christian than the Christians
themselves).
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(b)
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Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah.
Jesus (pbuh) said, "not my will but thy will be done." i.e. Muslim.
John 5:30
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(c)
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Al-Qur'ân 5:82
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