I believe that regardless of the religion, the goal is the same. Whether Christian or Muslim the goal is to have a personal relationship with God. Our sole purpose is to please Him and worship Him. To even take a steep further, both religions have Imams and Pastors speak on this topic day in and out to get in our head that its not about us but about God.
In "The Purpose of Life", a speech given by Khalid Yaseen, a devout Muslim, is almost completely parrallel to the Chriatian literature, Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren. The speech given by Brother Yaseen was given in 1994 and the book by Warren in 2002, however they touch on the same focus: The purpose of out life is to serve God.
I believe that the most common form of worship and submission is prayer. Muslims prayer five times a day as a staple in their religion and offer more salaat as well. Christians make informal prayer throughout the day. Before we eat, sleep, when we wake. Our life is formed around serving God, or at least should be. What is your purpose???
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." [Surah 51: Ayah 56]
"Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory." [Isaiah 43:6-7]
Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, both religions teach the same purpose in life. There are so many things in common between Islam and Christianity that it's a shame followers of both can't see it!
"I believe that the most common form of worship and submission is prayer. Muslims prayer five times a day as a staple in their religion and offer more salaat as well. Christians make informal prayer throughout the day. Before we eat, sleep, when we wake. Our life is formed around serving God, or at least should be."
ReplyDeleteWhile the five times a day are the 'formal' prayers; and there are other 'formal' prayers (i.e. the sunnahs and extras) - there are immense amounts of 'informal' prayers Muslims make throughout the day.
Basically, Islam encompasses every aspect of a believer's being. As you learn about the sunnah (way of life) of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), you learn all these little prayers (duas) he would make throughout the day - for almost every occassion. There's one when you begin to eat, when you finish eating, when you leave on a journey, etc. There are these duas for so many things in life.
And as a born-Muslim who didn't really pay much attention to them in my youth, I'm only now realising their value. In Islam, every single thing you do - if done with the right intention (i.e. to please God) and within God's limits - that can be counted as an act of worshipping God.
So, if you drink water - but you have the right intention (i.e. to take care of your body - which is a trust given to you by God) - then that's an act of worship.
Now, these little duas I mentioned above - these 'informal' prayers - we say them on these occassions (i.e. for these everyday, seemingly routine / mundane acts). ANd by saying them, we remember God.
'Bismillah' - which means in the name of Allah (i.e. God) - is the most common one. Before you do something, if you mention God's name - that's supposed to remind you of God.
And remembering God is worship. Remembering His favours to you and being thankful, and trying to live correctly according to what He wants for you.
WIth regard to Candice's comment:
I believe we have these commonalities between Christianity and Islam (as well as Judaism) - because it all comes from the same source: God.
God's religion - pure monotheism - is one - and always has been one, as preached by all the prophets.
(See http://answeringlife.blogspot.com/2010/08/truth-is-one.html for a little bit more on this).
So the core teachings - the values - are so very similar. But the details, i think, are where things separate. (And some of those details become very important when it comes to the core principles of each religion - such as the status of Jesus).
Sorry about that link Candice - i just realised that's YOUR blog ;)
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