A Conversation(?) Between Jesus and Muhammad

They lived 600 years apart, so an actual meeting never happened. But here are some things that show how radically different their teaching is.

Jesus: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight” (John 18:36).

Muhammad: “I have been ordered to fight the people till they say…none has the right to be worshipped but Allah” (Bukhari, 6924).

Jesus: “The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (Luke 9:56).

Muhammad: “Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; at length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them)...” (Quran, 47:4).

Jesus: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

Muhammad: “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject faith fight in the cause of evil: so fight ye against the friends of Satan...” (Quran, 4:76).

Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).

Muhammad: “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the last day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among the people of the Book, until they pay the jizyah with willing submission and feel themselves subdued” (Quran, 9:29).

Jesus: “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28).

Muhammad: “I would love to be martyred in Allah’s cause and then come back and then get martyred, and then come back to life again and then get martyred and then come back to life again and then get martyred” (Bukhari, 2797). NOTE: For all his talk about martyrdom, Muhammad did not die with a sword in his hand on a battlefield. He died in the arms of one of his wives. Her name was Aisha. He contracted a marriage with her when she was six years old and married her when she was nine (Bukhari, 3894-3896).

Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Muhammad: “Embrace Islam and you will be safe!...You should know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Messenger...’” (Bukhari, 6944).

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15).

Kerry

West End church of Christ • March 2, 2025