Judaism, Christianity and Islam Compared

Judaism, Christianity and Islam are often called the Abrahamic religions, because each looks back to Abraham (peace be upon him) as a father in faith. Together they are followed by more than half of humanity. This page sets their core beliefs side by side, as fairly and simply as we can.

Two notes before you read. First, each faith includes different branches — Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism; Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christianity; Sunni and Shia Islam — so the table gives the mainstream view, and practice varies. Second, we have tried to describe Judaism and Christianity the way their own followers would.

At a glance

A family resemblance

Looking at the table, it is easy to see that these three faiths are relatives. The Hebrew Bible declares, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4, KJV), and Jesus repeated those words when asked about the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29, KJV). Muslims see their own creed as a return to that same pure oneness.

The Qur’an addresses Jews and Christians as People of the Scripture and asks Muslims to speak with them in the best way, starting from what they share:

۞ وَلَا تُجَٰدِلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَٰهُنَا وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ وَٰحِدٌۭ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٤٦﴾

And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."

It also offers a simple common word on which all three could meet:

قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍۢ سَوَآءٍۭ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًۭا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُولُوا۟ ٱشْهَدُوا۟ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾

Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."

Where the real differences lie

The differences are real and important. For Islam and Judaism, the main question is whether Muhammad ﷺ was sent as a prophet. For Islam and Christianity, it is above all about Jesus: Muslims honour him as one of the greatest prophets and the Messiah, but not as God or the Son of God (see Trinity and Tawhid). Honest dialogue does not hide these questions; it explores them with respect.

Islam does not see itself as a brand-new religion that replaces the other two from outside. Muslims believe that every prophet — from Adam and Noah to Abraham, Moses and Jesus — called people to worship the one God alone, and that Muhammad ﷺ was sent to confirm that same message and complete it (see All Prophets Brought the Same Message). That is why a Muslim cannot be a Muslim without believing in Moses and Jesus. At the same time, Muslims believe that earlier scriptures were not preserved in their original form, and that the Qur’an is the final, protected revelation. Jews and Christians, naturally, see their own scriptures and history differently.

Where to go next

To look more closely at one relationship at a time, read Islam and Judaism: Common Ground and Islam vs Christianity: A Side-by-Side Comparison. Whatever your background, you are welcome here to ask questions, compare carefully and reach your own conclusions.