Comparison Chart: Christianity vs. Islam

March 5, 2005 · updated December 20, 2023

Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world. To illustrate the similarities and differences between these religions, the following chart compares the history, stats, beliefs, and practices of Christianity and Islam.

ChristianityIslam
etymology followers of Christ (Greek christos, Messiah) Arabic islam, "submission" (to the will of God)
adherents called Christians Muslims
date founded c. 30 CE 622 CE
place founded Southern Levant (modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan) Arabian Peninsula
languages Aramaic and Greek Arabic
founders Jesus, Peter, Paul Muhammad
expansion within 60 years, churches in major cities in Palestine, Turkey, Greece and Rome; entire Roman Empire by end of 4th cent. within 12 years, entire Arabian peninsula; within 100 years, Muslim world stretched from the Atlantic to China
schisms Catholic-Orthodox (1054); Catholic-Protestant (1500s) Shia-Sunni (c. 650 CE)
branches Roman Catholic; Eastern Orthodox; Protestant Sunni (majority), Shi'a, Sufism
main locations Europe, North and South America, Africa Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia
ChristianityIslam
adherents (world) 2.2 billion 1.6 billion
adherents (USA) 159 million 3.3 million
adherents (Canada) 21 million 500,000
adherents (UK) 51 million
texts Bible (Hebrew Bible + New Testament) Qur'an (sacred text); Hadith (tradition)
Hebrew Bible canonical; called "the Old Testament" noncanonical and corrupted but useful as a inspired text
Apocrypha canonical (Catholic) or useful but noncanonical (Protestant) noncanonical
New Testament canonical noncanonical and corrupted but useful as a inspired text
creeds Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed Six Articles of Faith
religious law canon law (Catholicism) Sharia
ChristianityIslam
religious authority Bible (all), ecumenical councils and creeds (Catholic and Orthodox), papal decrees and canon law (Catholic), continuing revelations (Pentecostal) Qur'an, Hadith
scripture views vary: most believe inspired by God; some believe literal Word of God, inerrant in original languages inspired, literal word of God; inerrant in original language
prophets Biblical prophets were true prophets of God Biblical prophets were true prophets; Muhammad is the final and greatest
god(s) One God, who is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; angels; demons; saints One God (Allah in Arabic); the same God revealed (imperfectly) in the Jewish and Christian Bibles
spiritual beings angels and demons angels, demons, jinn
revered humans saints, church fathers prophets; imams (especially in Shia Islam)
Messiah Jesus Christ is the Messiah awaited by the Jews Sunni: the Madhi (Messiah) will come in the future; identity is known only to Allah; Shi'a: was born in 869, is now the Hidden Imam
Jesus Son of God, God incarnate, Word of God, Messiah, savior of the world true prophet of God, whose message has been corrupted
birth of Jesus virgin birth virgin birth
death of Jesus normal death plus spiritual suffering Jesus did not die, but ascended bodily into heaven (a disciple died in his place)
ChristianityIslam
resurrection of Jesus affirmed rejected, because Jesus did not die; he ascended into heaven during crucifixion
second coming of Jesus affirmed affirmed
revelation through Prophets and Jesus (as God Himself), recorded in Bible through Muhammad, recorded in Qur'an
human nature Created good but all inherit "original sin" from Adam, causing a tendency to evil born with equal ability to do good or evil
salvation correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (Protestants emphasize faith alone) correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars
predestination affirmed by most denominations affirmed
afterlife Resurrection of body and soul; eternal heaven or hell (most denominations); temporary purgatory (Catholicism) eternal Paradise or eternal Hell
view of Christianity true religion respected as fellow "People of the Book" but have wrong beliefs and only partial, corrupted revelation
view of Islam respected as a fellow monotheistic religion, but Muhammad is not seen as a true prophet true religion
view of Judaism true religion but with incomplete revelation respected as fellow "People of the Book" but have wrong beliefs and only partial, corrupted revelation
ChristianityIslam
house of worship church, chapel, cathedral, basilica, meeting hall mosque
day of worship Sunday Friday
clergy/leaders priest, bishop, archbishop, patriarch, pope, pastor, minister, preacher, deacon imams
practices prayer, Bible study, baptism, Eucharist (Communion), church on Sundays, numerous holidays Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Pilgrimage, Fasting. Mosque services on Fridays. Ablutions before prayer. No alcohol or pork. Holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan.
holidays Easter, Christmas, saints' days (some denominations) Al-Hijra, Ramadan, 'Id Al-Fitr
symbols Cross, dove, anchor, fish, alpha/omega, chi rho Star and crescent; name of Allah in Arabic; color green; mosque silhouette