Koran v. Bible

It was interesting to read a chapter of the Koran while having a Christian background. It is wild how many similarities the text holds to some Bible passages, but at the same time some of the difference are so stark. “The Night Journey” chapter outlines some of the guidelines for the Islamic religion, as well as offering arguments for when people try to oppose the Islamic beliefs. There are also descriptions of the consequences for not following these guidelines, both here on Earth and later in the afterlife.

Early in the passage is a list of commandments that are similar to the Ten Commandments of the Christian religion. There are several that overlap, including “serve no other god besides God,” honoring your father and mother, though the Koran extends this to all kin, and “you shall not commit adultery.” However, the Koran provides provisions for some factions that are not included in the Bible’s list. The Koran specifies protection to orphans and their property and also not cheating each other when trading.

The commandments that struck me the most, however, have to do with killing. The Bible says, “thou shalt not kill,” period. However, the Koran says, “you shall not kill your children” or “any man whom God has forbidden you to kill.” It is “a great sin” to kill your kin or to unjustly kill another man. However, this leaves room for interpretation as to what about the people that God “tells” you to kill. This is the justification that many radical Muslims use when flying planes into buildings or other terrorist acts. I know that this is not the belief of all Muslims, and that it is merely an interpretation. Surely the Bible has been used to justify horrific acts such as slavery.

However, parts of the Koran further continue to suggest that some killing is acceptable when saying that you must give warning to the citizens of a city before you destroy it, so as to give them a chance to make changes in their sinful ways. Much of the history of Muhammad involved building up an army of followers and fighting with the Meccans, usually victoriously. I’m not trying to put down the Islamic religion or say that the history of the Christian religion is better, as there were the burnings at the stake etc. However, these transgressions were of the church, not the actual religion. It is just interesting that this is certainly acceptable to some extent in the Islamic religion, as it was under the directions of the creator of the Islamic religion.

I do like that the Koran stresses a personal relationship, saying, “Your Lord knows you best. He will show you mercy if He will and punish you if He pleases.” However the Koran does not seem to portray a God that is as forgiving as the Christian picture. Christianity preaches that God will be there for you even if you turn your back on Him. The Koran has more of an attitude that you should be careful to not turn your back on God because how else will you know that He will be there in the storm when everyone else forsakes you and you truly need Him?

In this brief study of Islam, the thing that I like the most is the sense of community within the religion. Everyone prays at the same times, is required to memorize the Koran, and makes a pilgrimage to Mecca; and one cannot be a “nonpracticing” Muslim. So many people identify themselves as Christians though they do not good to church as the Bible demands, or maintain a working relationship with God. The Koran was right when it says, “Truly, man is ever thankless.” However the Islamic religion seems to be designed to help people stay close to God and fight for the belief of others.