Anthropology is defined as the study of humanity while Christian anthropology includes the view of the bible in the study of humanity. Emphasis is laid on the relationship of material and immaterial issues of man. The relationship between humans and God is shown in Christian anthropology. The good and sinful nature of man is important in the quest for restoration of mans relationship with God. Comprehension of mankind’s purpose according to God’s plan and will is aided through Christian anthropology. Muslim anthropology on the other hand analyses the importance of the sacred writings and ways of life that are comprehended, argued over and experiences across the world and in certain historical and political settings.
Through both Christian and Muslim anthropology some beliefs are seen to be common to both religions. Both believe in one sovereign God who created the universe. God is viewed as the source of justice and morality by both religions. Both religions are in agreement that there is life after death either in heaven or hell where justice will be passed. On regard to ethics, the fundamentalists of both religion regard certain things such as pornography and licentious as evil and unaccepted (Miller 97).
In the relationship between God and mankind, the Islamic religion doesn’t believe in the trinity of God nature as it depicts this as blasphemous. The Islamic religion doesn’t believe in god being created in the image of god but emphasize that man was formulated from dust. In Islam God is seen as a divine being and is represented as himself and not an incarnation from history. The relationship between god and the Muslims is based on love, obedience, trust, peace, appreciation, active service and steadfastness.
In Islam the idea of ethics and morality revolves around common beliefs and principles. These includes beliefs like God being the creator, source of goodness, truth and all what is beautiful. Man on the other hand is responsible, dignified and the most honorable member of the God’s creation. God doesn’t expect man to accomplish what is beyond him and also he doesn’t prevent man to enjoy the good thing in life. Integrity and morality is guaranteed through practicality and balance. Everything is allowed except those that are forbidden by the law and should not be done. Man’s actions are held accountable to God. Islam has a wide dimension of morality which is based on the relationship between man and God and also other people. In addition other creatures in the universe are included in this relationship. Muslims are required to protect their outward behavior and their actions, their words, thoughts, feelings and intentions. Acts that include being harsh, offensive and indifference are considered bad and against what God wants. Islam strongly disapproves acts of stealing, killing and even raping for it is against the will of god (Badru 278).
Christians are expected to live a life that is worthy before God and also their fellow men. Christians are expected to be honest, kind, slow to anger and above all show love. Christians are instructed to love their neighbors as they love themselves and this plays a big role in ethics in that one shouldn’t do anything to others which he cannot do to himself. Just like in Islam it is wrong to cheat, to kill, to steal or even to rape. Christians are urged to be holy just like God is holy. In Christianity, man is depicted as a sinner and therefore more often goes against the moral requirements expected of him by sinning. God forgives sins once somebody asks for forgiveness according to Christianity. This is not stated in the Islam. Therefore one can be forgiven for going against the Christian ethics.
Children in the Islamic religion are regarded as a gift from God and thus their birth is a special time in the life of an individual. At birth the women giving birth prefer to be attended by only females. These may be doctors, nurses or even family members. The religion according to Islam permits male attendants to attend to a laboring woman. Fathers can thus attend the birth of their child if they chose to. Children have their rights from conception to birth and afterwards. They have a right to birth in a legitimate union. Children should be given a good name, breast fed, and brought up well according to the Islam customs. The rites that take place during birth include the Adhan, tahneek and taweez (Ali 1983).
Children are also a blessing from the Christian point of view. They are a gift from god. Children are a reward from a legal marriage in a Christian way. The birth of the child in Christianity is not surrounded by many rituals unlike in Islam. The woman giving birth can be attended to by either male or female attendants. The life of a child is sacred from conception and thus should not be ended at all. This makes abortion a sin and not acceptable to Christianity since it is the same as killing. After birth children are given names and later on taken to the church to be prayed for and dedicated to God. It is a requirement of the bible to bring up children who honor and respect God. Christianity high discourages children born out of wed lock since it is an act of adultery. Children are thus expected to be conceived and born in wedlock.
The Islamic religion encourages marriage and doesn’t recognize chastity. Therefore vows of celibacy or monasteries are absent in this religion. Marriage in Islam is compared to that in the old testament of the bible. Islam allows polygamy and therefore a man can have more than one wife. The maximum number of wives a man can marry is four. This can only be allowed if the man can be able to provide for the needs of all the wives and their children. Muslims are also allowed to have concubines although they will have fewer privileges as compared to the wives. Mutah which means temporary marriage is allowed in Islam whereby a man can marry a woman for certain period of time like one day. Islam doesn’t have strict rules on divorce thus divorce cases are normal in this religion. Generally, Islam marriage traditions place the women at a disadvantage at all times at the expense of men.
According to Christianity marriage is a union between two people, a male and a female. Both the husband and wife are equal but the husband remains the head of the house. Christianity strongly discourages polygamy and promotes marriage between one husband and one wife. Divorce is not allowed in Christianity and thus it is a sin against God to divorce. The wife is expected to respect the husband and so is the husband to the wife. Christianity doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on marriage for Paul said it is not a must for somebody to marry but if they can’t free themselves from sexual desires its good they marry. Chastity and monasteries are thus allowed in Christianity (Idri 695).
Christianity and Islam religions are both substantial religion and are essential to guide people in their lives. However, these two religions are incompatible to each other since some views and requirements are different from each other. Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God and he died and resurrected. The Muslims have a different view of this since they consider Jesus as a prophet named Mohamed who assented into heaven and therefore didn’t die. The Islamic and Christian view on issue of creation differ in that Islam doesn’t consider man as having being created out of god’s image. In addition Christians believe in the original sin which was passed down from Adam and thus everyone is born a sinner till they get baptized. Muslims on the other hand don’t believe in the original; sin. Muslims consider everyone is not a sinner until the day they rebel against God. Both religions are good but the choice to follow one and not the other lies with an individual no one should be influenced or forced to follow a certain religion.
Works cited:
Ja'sfar S. Idri (1951). A Guide to Islam , Muslim Welfare House, London
W. M. Miller(1976) A Christian's Response to Islam, Presbyterian & Reformed Publ. Co. Philipsburg, New Jersey,
W.M.Miller (1990) Beliefs and Practices of Christians, Lahore, Pak.
M.Nazir-Ali (1983) Islam, A Christian Perspective Westminster Press, Philadelphia
Badru Kateregga (1980) Islam and Christianity, Grand Rapids: Michigan.
