Judaism and Islam compared
Judaism and Islam side by side: where each began, what they teach, their scriptures, holy days and symbols, and the beliefs and practices they share.
Judaism took shape in ancient Israel, in the southern Levant (from about 1000 BCE); Islam in Mecca and Medina, in Arabia (7th century CE). Of the 24 broad features compared here, they share 9: one God, judgement after death, a written scripture, pilgrimage, fasting, rules about food, no images of God, prayer at set times and a weekly holy day. Only Islam: a founder or prophet.
Judaism only
Both
- One God
- Judgement after death
- A written scripture
- Pilgrimage
- Fasting
- Rules about food
- No images of God
- Prayer at set times
- A weekly holy day
Islam only
- A founder or prophet
Side by side
| Question | Judaism | Islam |
|---|---|---|
| Where it began | Ancient Israel, in the southern Levant | Mecca and Medina, in Arabia |
| When | From about 1000 BCE | 7th century CE |
| Founders and key figures | Tradition names Abraham as the first patriarch and Moses as the lawgiver | The Prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632), whom Muslims regard as the last of God’s prophets |
| Followers today | nearly 15 million (about 0.2% of the world, 2020) | 2 billion (about 26% of the world, 2020) |
| At the heart of it | Three pillars: God, one and unique, Torah, the teaching, Israel, the people | Six articles of faith: One God, The angels, The revealed books, The prophets, The Day of Judgement, God’s decree |
| Scriptures | The Torah; The Tanakh; The Mishnah; The Talmud | The Qur’an; The Hadith; The Sira |
| Main branches | Second Temple Judaism | Sunni, Shia, Ibadi |
| Holy days | Purim, Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot | Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, Mawlid, Laylat al-Qadr |
| Symbols | Star of David, Menorah, Torah scroll, Chai | The name of God, The Kaaba, Mosque lamp, Crescent and star |