Islam & Christianity
What do Islam and Christianity share, and where do they differ?
The short answer
About 30 seconds to read
Islam and Christianity share a great deal: belief in one Creator, honour for Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mary, love of God and neighbour, prayer, fasting, charity, and a coming Day of Judgment. Together, Christians and Muslims make up more than half of the world’s population.
They also differ on questions that matter deeply to both: the nature of God, who Jesus is, whether he died on the cross, and how people are reconciled with God. Neither faith speaks with one voice, so we note where views vary.
How to read this page
Each comparison sets a Muslim understanding beside a Christian one, with sources for both. We write from a Muslim perspective, but we have tried to describe Christian belief in terms Christians would recognize, and to avoid treating all Christians, or all Muslims, as holding identical views.
Unless we say otherwise, the Muslim column describes beliefs shared by Sunni and Shi‘i Muslims. The Christian column usually describes beliefs held by Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant churches, such as those in the Nicene Creed.
Source:Britannica, “Nicene Creed”
The comparison matters because of how many people it touches. In 2020, Christians were about 29% of the world’s population and Muslims about 26%, making them the two largest religious groups.
Source:Pew Research Center, 2025
Important differences
The nature of God
Muslim understanding
God is absolutely one. The Qur’an tells the People of the Scripture, “say not ‘Three’”, and says God is far above having a son.
Sources:Qur’an 4:171Qur’an 112:1–4
Christian understanding
Most Christians believe in the Trinity: one God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The word “Trinity” does not appear in the New Testament; the doctrine was formulated over several centuries from passages such as Matthew 28:19.
Sources:Britannica, “Trinity”Matthew 28:19Britannica, “Nicene Creed”
Note: Christians insist that the Trinity is one God, not three gods. Muslims believe the Qur’an rejects any sharing of divinity. Each position should be heard in its own terms.
Jesus
Muslim understanding
A prophet, messenger and the Messiah, and a servant of God. He is not divine.
Sources:Qur’an 19:30Qur’an 5:75
Christian understanding
The eternal Word of God made flesh: fully God and fully human.
Note: Read more in Who is Jesus in Islam?
The crucifixion
Muslim understanding
The Qur’an says “they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them”, and that God raised Jesus to Himself. Muslim commentators have explained this in different ways.
Sources:Qur’an 4:157–158Lawson, 2009
Christian understanding
Jesus died on the cross “for our sins” and was raised on the third day. This is central to Christian faith.
Source:1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Sin, forgiveness and salvation
Muslim understanding
No soul is burdened beyond its capacity, and each is accountable for what it has earned. God forgives those who repent, believe and do good, and no one should despair of His mercy.
Christian understanding
Christians believe forgiveness and eternal life come through Jesus Christ, his death and his resurrection. Churches differ on how faith, grace, sacraments and good works relate.
Sources:John 17:31 Corinthians 15:3–4
Scripture
Muslim understanding
The Qur’an is God’s final revelation. It confirms earlier scripture and is “a watcher over it”. Muslims honour the Torah and the Gospel as originally revealed by God.
Sources:Qur’an 5:46Qur’an 5:48
Christian understanding
The Bible, made up of the Old and New Testaments, is Scripture. Christians do not regard the Qur’an as revelation.
Muhammad
Muslim understanding
Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the messenger of God and the “Seal of the Prophets”, the last in the line of prophets.
Source:Qur’an 33:40
Christian understanding
Christians do not accept Muhammad as a prophet.
Talking across difference
The Qur’an tells Muslims how to speak with Jews and Christians, whom it calls the People of the Scripture:
And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our Allah and your Allah is One, and unto Him we surrender.
Context: Pickthall keeps the word Allah throughout. Other translators render this phrase “our God and your God is one”.
They are not all alike. Of the People of the Scripture there is a staunch community who recite the revelations of Allah in the night season, falling prostrate (before Him). They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency, and vie one with another in good works. These are of the righteous.
Disagreement remains, and the Qur’an is direct about beliefs it considers mistaken. Respectful dialogue does not mean pretending those differences away. It means stating them honestly, without caricature, and leaving the final word to God: “Allah is our Lord and your Lord. Unto us our works and unto you your works; no argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and unto Him is the journeying.”
Sources:Qur’an 42:15A Common Word, 2007
Sources for this page
Quotations are marked and linked. Summaries are in our own words. How we choose and cite sources.
Reference
“Nicene Creed”, Encyclopaedia Britannica
Accepted as authoritative by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches.
Reference
“How the Global Religious Landscape Changed From 2010 to 2020”, Pew Research Center (2025)
Estimates that Muslims were 25.6% and Christians 28.8% of the world’s population in 2020.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ikhlas (112)
Verses 112:1–4
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Bible
The Bible, Mark
Mark 12:29
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Bible
The Bible, Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 6:4
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa (4)
Verse 4:36
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Bible
The Bible, Mark
Mark 12:30–31
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2)
Verse 2:136
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Bible
The Bible, Matthew
Matthew 5:17
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Ali ‘Imran (3)
Verse 3:42
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Maryam (19)
Verses 19:20–21
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Bible
The Bible, Luke
Luke 1:34–35
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Bible
The Bible, Matthew
Matthew 1:18
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Hadith
Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 8
Sunnah.com reference: bukhari:8
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar. The Prophet names five things on which Islam is built: the testimony of faith, prayer, zakah, pilgrimage, and the Ramadan fast.
Bible
The Bible, Matthew
Matthew 6:1–8
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Bible
The Bible, Matthew
Matthew 6:16–17
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Bible
The Bible, Acts
Acts 13:2–3
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Reference
“Lent”, Encyclopaedia Britannica
Describes Lent as a 40-day season before Easter, stricter fasting in Eastern churches, relaxed Roman Catholic rules, and uneven observance among Protestant churches.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Az-Zalzalah (99)
Verses 99:7–8
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Hadith
Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 7554
Sunnah.com reference: bukhari:7554
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah. The Prophet reports that God wrote, before creation, that His mercy has preceded His anger.
Bible
The Bible, Luke
Luke 6:36
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Bible
The Bible, Matthew
Matthew 25:35–40
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa (4)
Verse 4:171
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Reference
“Trinity”, Encyclopaedia Britannica
Bible
The Bible, Matthew
Matthew 28:19
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Maryam (19)
Verse 19:30
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5)
Verse 5:75
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Bible
The Bible, John
John 1:1
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Bible
The Bible, John
John 1:14
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa (4)
Verses 4:157–158
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Reference
Todd Lawson, The Crucifixion and the Qur’an: A Study in the History of Muslim Thought (Oneworld, 2009)
Surveys how Muslim commentators have read Qur’an 4:157 over the centuries. Most deny that Jesus was crucified, but interpretations vary. Link is to a review by the Centre for Muslim–Christian Studies, Oxford.
Bible
The Bible, 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2)
Verse 2:286
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Furqan (25)
Verse 25:70
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Az-Zumar (39)
Verse 39:53
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Bible
The Bible, John
John 17:3
Quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5)
Verse 5:46
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5)
Verse 5:48
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ahzab (33)
Verse 33:40
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Ankabut (29)
Verse 29:46
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Ali ‘Imran (3)
Verses 3:113–114
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Ash-Shura (42)
Verse 42:15
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Reference
“A Common Word Between Us and You”, open letter from Muslim scholars to Christian leaders (2007)
Signed by 138 Muslim scholars and addressed to Christian leaders, the letter proposes love of God and love of neighbour as common ground. Many Christian leaders responded publicly.
Further reading
- “A Common Word Between Us and You”, open letter from Muslim scholars to Christian leaders (2007)
Signed by 138 Muslim scholars and addressed to Christian leaders, the letter proposes love of God and love of neighbour as common ground. Many Christian leaders responded publicly.
- “Nicene Creed”, Encyclopaedia Britannica
Accepted as authoritative by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches.
- “Trinity”, Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Todd Lawson, The Crucifixion and the Qur’an: A Study in the History of Muslim Thought (Oneworld, 2009)
Surveys how Muslim commentators have read Qur’an 4:157 over the centuries. Most deny that Jesus was crucified, but interpretations vary. Link is to a review by the Centre for Muslim–Christian Studies, Oxford.