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Dalan Nelson

April 18, 2023

PHIL 360R

Islamic and Christian Philosophy: A Comparative Study

Christianity and Islam are two of the most globally influential religions, with over half of

the world's population identifying as followers of one of these faiths (Pew, 2022). These

religions have spread across the world, with Christianity dominating in Europe, North and South

America, and parts of Africa, while Islam has a significant presence in the Middle East, North

Africa, and South Asia. Despite their geographic distribution and cultural differences,

Christianity and Islam share numerous similarities in their fundamental beliefs, practices, and

histories. This paper seeks to explore the striking similarities between Christianity and Islam by

comparing their philosophical ideas and practices in three areas: God, morality, and logic. In

examining these areas, this paper will discuss how the two religions conceive of the divine, what

constitutes moral behavior and ethical principles, and how reason and logical thinking are valued

within each tradition. By delving into these topics, this paper aims to provide a deeper

understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of these two world religions, highlighting both

their shared values and distinct perspectives.

Conceptions of God

In terms of their conceptions of God, both Christianity and Islam are monotheistic,

believing in one God. However, their understanding of God is different in several ways. One

major difference is the idea of the Trinity, which Christianity teaches as three persons in one

Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Islam strongly emphasizes the unity of God

and considers the idea of the Trinity as a form of polytheism. Both religions believe that God is
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omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Christians believe that God is all-powerful and can do

anything, while Muslims believe that God can do anything but only within His nature. Both

religions also believe that God is all-knowing and has perfect knowledge of all things. God's

omnipresence means that He is everywhere at all times, and both religions teach that God is

present and active in the world (Keller, 1997)(Toronto, 1997).

The Christian conception of God emphasizes God's love, mercy, and grace, and

Christians believe that God loves all people, regardless of their past sins. Christians also believe

that God is merciful and will forgive those who repent and turn to Him. This love and mercy are

expressed in the Christian belief in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is seen

as a demonstration of God's love for humanity. In contrast, the Islamic conception of God

emphasizes God's justice and sovereignty. Muslims believe that God is just and will reward those

who do good deeds and punish those who do evil deeds. They believe in God’s mercy as well, in

that they believe that He will be merciful to those that sin but are trying to keep His

commandments. Muslims also believe in predestination, meaning that God has predetermined

everything that will happen in the universe. Therefore, everything that happens, good or bad, is

according to God's plan.

The two religions also differ in how they believe God interacts with humankind.

Christians believe that God is a personal God who desires a relationship with His creations,

speaks to them through the Bible (or other scripture), and communicates with them through

prayer. Christians also believe that God can intervene in the world through miracles and other

supernatural events and can guide them through the Holy Spirit, who provides wisdom and

guidance. Muslims, on the other hand, believe that God is transcendent and beyond human

understanding. Muslims believe that God communicates with humanity through the Quran,
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which is believed to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims also

believe in prayer and the importance of submitting to God's will, and that God can intervene in

the world through miracles, but they do not see them as a regular occurrence. Instead, they

believe that God guides humanity through the natural laws and through the teachings of the

Prophet Muhammad.

Finally, the two religions differ in their conception of God's role in the universe.

Christians believe that God created the universe and everything in it, and that God is actively

involved in sustaining and preserving the world. Christians also believe that the world is fallen

and in need of redemption, and that God will ultimately restore the world to its original state.

Muslims, on the other hand, believe that God created the universe and everything in it for a

specific purpose. Muslims believe that God has a plan for the universe, and that everything that

happens is according to that plan. Muslims also believe that the world is temporary and will

ultimately pass away, to be replaced by a new world in the afterlife.

As a notable observation, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

who consider themselves to be Christians, differ from mainstream Christianity on numerous

aspects and their beliefs about God are often more similar to those of Muslims.

Ethics and Morality

Christianity and Islam both have a well-developed philosophy of morality, and while

there are certainly differences between the two, they also share many similarities. One of the key

similarities is the belief that morality is grounded in God's nature. Both religions believe that

God is the ultimate source of morality, and that moral principles are derived from His nature. In

Christianity, this is often referred to as natural law, which holds that moral principles are

objective and can be discovered through reason. In Islam, the concept of fitrah refers to the
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natural disposition of human beings towards morality, which is seen as a reflection of God's

nature. Both religions also share a belief in the importance of intention in determining the

morality of an action. Christians believe that the intention behind an action is crucial in

determining whether it is moral or immoral, and that even a good action can be tainted if the

intention behind it is not pure. Similarly, in Islam, the concept of niyyah refers to the intention

behind an action, and it is believed that the morality of an action depends on the purity of the

intention behind it (Booth, 2016)(Harkness).

Another similarity between the two philosophical views is the emphasis on the

importance of individual responsibility. In both Christianity and Islam, individuals are seen as

responsible for their own actions and are held accountable for their moral choices. Both religions

emphasize the importance of personal accountability and the need to make moral choices based

on a sense of duty rather than simply following social norms or personal desires. Both religions

also share a belief in the existence of moral absolutes. Christians believe that certain moral

principles, such as the Ten Commandments, are absolute and unchanging, and that they apply to

all people at all times. Similarly, in Islam, there are certain moral principles that are seen as

absolute and unchanging, such as the prohibition on murder and the obligation to honor one's

parents.

In both religions, the consequences of acting morally or immorally are seen as

significant. Christians believe that the ultimate consequence of immoral behavior is eternal

separation from God, while acting morally leads to eternal life in heaven. In Islam, the

consequences of acting immorally are also seen as severe, with eternal punishment in hellfire for

those who do not repent. On the other hand, acting morally is seen as a way to earn reward in the

afterlife. Both religions also emphasize the importance of treating others with compassion,
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respect, and forgiveness. Christians believe in the Golden Rule, which states that one should treat

others as they would like to be treated. Similarly, in Islam, there is an emphasis on treating others

with compassion and kindness, and the importance of social justice and caring for the less

fortunate. Both religions place a strong emphasis on the importance of forgiveness, Christians

believing in the power of forgiveness to heal relationships and to restore a sense of moral order

and Muslims seeing forgiveness as one of the greatest virtues.

It is important to note, however, that there are also significant differences between the

two views. For example, in Christianity, morality is grounded in the nature of God, and moral

principles are considered to be objective and unchanging. The Christian view of morality is often

based on the Ten Commandments and other Biblical teachings, and Christians believe that moral

principles apply to all people at all times. Christians believe that the ultimate goal of morality is

to achieve salvation, which is earned through faith in Christ and obedience to God's commands.

In contrast, the Islamic view of morality is grounded in the concept of tawhid, or the oneness of

God. Muslims believe that the nature of God is reflected in the natural order of the universe, and

that moral principles are derived from this order. Islamic moral principles are outlined in the

Qur'an and the hadith, and Muslims believe that these principles apply to all aspects of life. The

ultimate goal of morality in Islam is to achieve righteousness, which is earned through

submission to God and following His commands. Finally, there are also differences in the

consequences of moral or immoral behavior between Christianity and Islam. In Christianity,

immoral behavior can lead to eternal separation from God, while moral behavior is rewarded

with eternal life in heaven. In Islam, immoral behavior is also punished in the afterlife, but the

emphasis is more on the balance between good and bad deeds. Muslims believe that the weight

of a person's good deeds must outweigh their bad deeds in order to enter paradise.
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While there are certainly differences between the Christian and Islamic philosophical

views of morality, it is clear that they share many similarities. Both religions believe that

morality is grounded in God's nature, that intention is important in determining the morality of

an action, and that individuals are responsible for their own moral choices. Both also believe in

the existence of moral absolutes, the importance of the consequences of acting morally or

immorally, treating others with compassion and respect, and the power of forgiveness.

Religion and Philosophical Logic

Throughout history, Islamic and Christian views of philosophical logic have evolved in

different ways. While both religions have at times been receptive to philosophical logic and at

other times rejected it, the two faiths have generally taken different approaches to the study of

logic and reason.

The study of logic was an important part of Islamic tradition, particularly during the

Islamic Golden Age from the 8th to the 13th centuries. Islamic philosophers, such as Al-Farabi

and Ibn Rushd, made significant contributions to the development of logical systems, which

were used to explore theological and philosophical questions. For these thinkers, logic was

essential for understanding the mysteries of the universe and for exploring the nature of God

(McGinnis & Reisman, 2007).

Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna) and Al-Ghazali were two notable Islamic scholars

who made important contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy

during the Islamic Golden Age. Ibn Sina's work on logic and metaphysics was particularly

influential, and his "Book of Healing" is considered a masterpiece of Islamic philosophy. Al-

Ghazali, on the other hand, was a theologian who sought to reconcile the study of logic with
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Islamic theology. He argued that logic was a necessary tool for understanding the nature of God,

but also warned against relying too heavily on reason and neglecting the role of revelation.

Despite the significant contributions made by Islamic philosophers and scholars to the

study of logic, there were periods of tension between the study of logic and theology in Islamic

history. Some theologians rejected the use of logic in religious debates, arguing that it was a tool

of the philosophers and not compatible with the teachings of Islam. This led to a decline in the

prominence of the study of logic in Islamic scholarship, with many scholars turning instead to

the study of religious texts and tradition. However, the legacy of Islamic philosophy and its

contributions to logic, mathematics, and astronomy continued to have a profound impact on later

thinkers and the development of knowledge in the Islamic world.

Logic has been an important part of Christian philosophical thought too. Christian

philosophers, such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, have used logical arguments to

explore theological and philosophical questions. These thinkers viewed logic as a tool to better

understand the nature of God and the universe, and they used logical arguments to defend

Christian theology. In the medieval period, the study of logic reached its peak in Christian

scholarship. The works of Aristotle, which had been lost in the West for centuries, were

reintroduced through translations of Arabic texts. This led to the development of new systems of

logic and argumentation by Christian philosophers such as Peter Abelard and William of

Ockham. Their contributions to logic were used to explore theological and philosophical

questions.

However, in later centuries of Christian history, the study of logic came under scrutiny.

During the Enlightenment period, some Christian thinkers rejected the use of logical arguments

in favor of a more experiential and intuitive approach to religion. This rejection of logical
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arguments led to a split between faith and reason, which has persisted in some Christian circles

to this day. Despite this split, the study of logic remains an important aspect of Christian

philosophy, and it continues to be used to understand the nature of God and the universe.

Overall, while both Islamic and Christian traditions have at times embraced the study of

logic and reason, the two religions have taken different approaches to the subject. Islamic

philosophers have generally seen the study of logic as an essential tool for understanding the

mysteries of the universe and the nature of God, while some Christian thinkers have rejected

logical arguments in favor of a more experiential and intuitive approach to faith.

Conclusion

Upon closer examination of the major philosophical ideas that form the basis of Christian

and Islamic beliefs, it becomes apparent that these two religions share many similarities in their

philosophical thought. Both religions have a similar conception of God, with minor differences

in the nature of God's relationship with His creations. However, both faiths believe in an

omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent creator and judge. In addition, both Christianity and

Islam share a similar ethical and moral framework, emphasizing righteous beliefs, intentions, and

practices. Both religions recognize the importance of prayer, charity, and good deeds, and they

both emphasize the importance of living a virtuous life. A survey of the historical development

of logical thought in Christian and Islamic traditions reveals that specific philosophers have

played influential roles in each faith. Christian philosophers such as Augustine of Hippo and

Thomas Aquinas used logical arguments to explore theological and philosophical questions,

while Islamic philosophers such as Al-Farabi and Ibn Rushd developed logical systems to

explore similar issues. By highlighting the commonalities between these two great religions, it is

evident that the philosophical underpinnings of these two religions are strikingly similar.
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