Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

Christianity and Islam compared

Christianity and Islam side by side: where each began, what they teach, their scriptures, holy days and symbols, and the beliefs and practices they share.

Christianity took shape in Galilee and Jerusalem, in Roman Judea (1st century CE); Islam in Mecca and Medina, in Arabia (7th century CE). Of the 24 broad features compared here, they share 7: one God, judgement after death, a founder or prophet, a written scripture, pilgrimage, fasting and a weekly holy day. Only Christianity: monks and nuns, priests and images in worship. Only Islam: rules about food, no images of God and prayer at set times.

ChristianityIslamBOTH Monks and nunsImages in worshipPriestsOne GodA weekly holy dayA founder or prophetJudgement after deathA written scripturePilgrimageFastingRules about foodPrayer at set timesNo images of God
Broad features only: every tradition holds great variety, and not every follower shares every feature.

Christianity only

  • Monks and nuns
  • Priests
  • Images in worship

Both

  • One God
  • Judgement after death
  • A founder or prophet
  • A written scripture
  • Pilgrimage
  • Fasting
  • A weekly holy day

Islam only

  • Rules about food
  • No images of God
  • Prayer at set times

Side by side

Christianity Islam
Where it beganGalilee and Jerusalem, in Roman JudeaMecca and Medina, in Arabia
When1st century CE7th century CE
Founders and key figuresJesus of Nazareth, whom Christians call the Christ (“the anointed one”)The Prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632), whom Muslims regard as the last of God’s prophets
Followers today2.3 billion (about 29% of the world, 2020)2 billion (about 26% of the world, 2020)
At the heart of itThe creed: One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, God made man, Crucified, died and rose again, The life of the world to comeSix articles of faith: One God, The angels, The revealed books, The prophets, The Day of Judgement, God’s decree
ScripturesThe Old Testament; The New Testament; The creedsThe Qur’an; The Hadith; The Sira
Main branchesChurch of the East, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, CatholicSunni, Shia, Ibadi
Holy daysEpiphany, Ash Wednesday, Easter, Pentecost, All Saints, ChristmasRamadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, Mawlid, Laylat al-Qadr
SymbolsCross, Ichthys, Chi-Rho, DoveThe name of God, The Kaaba, Mosque lamp, Crescent and star

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