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Is Allah the Same as the Father of Jesus Christ?

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THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: for Pastors, Teachers, and Believers

The Importance of Defining God in Christian and Islamic Contexts

Understanding the nature of God as depicted in Christianity and Islam is crucial for discerning whether the two religions worship the same deity. This examination must go beyond superficial similarities and delve into the fundamental theological distinctions that define each faith’s concept of God. While both religions are monotheistic, their definitions, attributes, and theological implications reveal significant differences.

The God of Christianity is portrayed in the Bible as triune—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in three persons. This doctrine, known as the Trinity, is a cornerstone of Christian faith. On the other hand, the Islamic view of Allah is strictly unitarian, emphasizing the singular and indivisible nature of God. Surah 112:1-4 (Al-Ikhlas) states, “Say, ‘He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.’” This passage encapsulates the Islamic rejection of the Trinity and underscores the transcendence and singularity of Allah.

Linguistic Considerations: The Use of “Allah” and “God”

The term “Allah” in Arabic is used by both Muslims and Arabic-speaking Christians to refer to a supreme deity. Linguistically, “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for “God.” However, the shared use of this term does not imply theological equivalence. The character and nature of God as depicted in Christian and Islamic scriptures must be compared to determine if they are truly referring to the same being.

In the Bible, God is depicted as personal and relational. He is described as a Father who interacts intimately with His creation (Matthew 6:9). The use of “Father” conveys the deep, covenantal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing love, care, and guidance (Psalm 103:13). By contrast, in Islam, Allah is seen as transcendent and wholly other, unapproachable by human beings except through acts of submission and adherence to prescribed rituals. This view is supported by Surah 42:11: “There is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”

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The Christian Understanding of God: The Triune Nature

Central to Christianity is the belief in the Trinity, a doctrine that declares God to be three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are one in essence. This concept is supported by numerous biblical passages. Matthew 28:19 records Jesus’ command to His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This verse underscores the unity and co-equality of the three persons within the Godhead.

Paul’s benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 also reflects this trinitarian view: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Each person of the Trinity plays a distinct role in the work of creation, salvation, and sanctification, yet they are united in purpose and essence.

The relational nature of the Trinity is foundational to understanding God’s interaction with humanity. The Father’s love is demonstrated through the sending of the Son (John 3:16), and the Holy Spirit’s role is to guide and empower believers (John 14:26). This personal and relational nature of God is starkly different from the Islamic depiction of Allah.

The Islamic Perspective on Allah’s Nature

Islam’s strict monotheism, known as Tawhid, defines Allah as singular and indivisible. This belief is a core tenet of Islamic faith and is expressed in the declaration, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” The oneness of Allah is emphasized repeatedly in the Quran, notably in Surah 112:1-4, which denies any form of plurality or association with Allah.

The concept of Allah in Islam is marked by transcendence and sovereignty. Allah is viewed as all-powerful and unknowable, existing beyond human comprehension. While He is described as merciful and compassionate (Surah 1:1), the relationship between Allah and humanity is fundamentally one of master and servant. Surah 5:72 rejects the idea of Jesus’ divinity: “They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary’… Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his refuge is the Fire.”

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The Identity and Divinity of Jesus Christ

One of the most significant theological divides between Christianity and Islam lies in the identity and divinity of Jesus Christ. In Christianity, Jesus is not merely a prophet but the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. John 1:1 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This is further elaborated in John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The apostle Paul affirms Jesus’ divine nature in Colossians 2:9: “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”

Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection are central to Christian doctrine, providing the basis for salvation. Romans 5:8 states, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The resurrection is seen as a victory over sin and death, confirming Jesus’ divinity and the promise of eternal life for believers (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 20-22).

In contrast, Islam denies both the divinity of Jesus and the crucifixion. Surah 4:157 states, “And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but [another] was made to resemble him to them.” This fundamental disagreement over the person and work of Jesus is a clear indication that the Allah of Islam and the God of Christianity are not the same.

The Concept of Salvation in Christianity and Islam

The path to salvation further underscores the differences between Allah and the God of Christianity. Christianity teaches that salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This underscores that human efforts or works are insufficient for achieving salvation; it is entirely dependent on Jehovah’s grace through the sacrificial atonement of Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24 adds, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” This redemption is made possible because Jesus, being both divine and sinless, was able to bear the penalty for sin on behalf of humanity.

In Islam, salvation is based on a combination of faith and works. A Muslim must believe in Allah and follow the Five Pillars of Islam, which include the declaration of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salat), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). Surah 23:102-103 indicates that deeds are weighed to determine one’s fate: “Then those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds]—it is they who will be successful. But those whose scales are light—those are the ones who have lost their souls; being in Hell, they will abide eternally.” This works-based approach contrasts sharply with the Christian doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone.

The Relationship Between God and Humanity

The relational aspect of God in Christianity differs significantly from that in Islam. In Christianity, the relationship between God and humanity is likened to that of a loving Father and His children. Romans 8:15-16 states, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” This familial relationship emphasizes intimacy and closeness, where believers are encouraged to approach God with confidence and trust (Hebrews 4:16).

The love of Jehovah is demonstrated through His actions, most notably in the sending of His Son for the redemption of humanity (John 3:16). This love is not only sacrificial but also unconditional, rooted in His character (1 John 4:8-10).

In Islam, the relationship between Allah and human beings is more akin to that of a master and servant. While Allah is described as merciful, the relationship is framed by submission and adherence to religious laws. Surah 3:31 states, “Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’” The emphasis is on obedience and submission as a way to earn Allah’s favor, rather than a personal and intimate relationship.

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The Role of the Holy Spirit

The role of the Holy Spirit in Christianity is another point of divergence. In Christian doctrine, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit’s role includes guiding believers into all truth (John 16:13), convicting the world of sin (John 16:8), and empowering believers for godly living (Galatians 5:16-25). The Spirit-inspired Word of God is how Christians are led and taught in their walk of faith.

In contrast, Islam does not recognize the Holy Spirit as a person within a triune Godhead. The term “Ruh al-Qudus” (Holy Spirit) is used in the Quran but is generally interpreted as referring to the angel Gabriel or as a means by which Allah communicates His will. This non-trinitarian view aligns with Islam’s strict monotheism and rejection of any concept resembling the Christian Trinity.

Scriptural Authority and Revelation

Christianity holds that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is through the Scriptures that Jehovah has revealed His nature, will, and plan for humanity. The Bible, composed of the Old and New Testaments, presents a unified narrative that points to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan (Luke 24:44-47).

In Islam, the Quran is considered the final and most authoritative revelation. Muslims believe that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad over 23 years by the angel Gabriel and that it supersedes all previous scriptures, including the Bible. Surah 2:136 states, “Say, ‘We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.’” While this acknowledges previous prophets, it asserts that the Quran is the final and most complete revelation.

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Doctrinal Differences in Human Nature and Sin

Christianity and Islam also have divergent views on human nature and sin. Christianity teaches that humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) but have fallen into sin through Adam’s disobedience (Romans 5:12). This fallen nature necessitates redemption through Jesus Christ, as humanity is incapable of achieving righteousness on its own (Romans 3:23-24). The Christian doctrine of original sin underscores that all humans are born with a sinful nature and need salvation through Christ.

Islam teaches that humans are born inherently good and are capable of choosing right or wrong. Surah 30:30 states, “So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people.” While Islam acknowledges the concept of sin, it does not hold to the doctrine of original sin. Instead, each person is responsible for their actions, and forgiveness is attained through repentance and good deeds.

Conclusion of Differences in Theology

The theological differences between Christianity and Islam are profound and cannot be reconciled by linguistic or superficial similarities. The Christian understanding of God as triune, relational, and revealed through Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to the Islamic portrayal of Allah as unitarian and transcendent. The identity and work of Jesus, the nature of salvation, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the understanding of human nature further distinguish the two faiths.

The Bible’s portrayal of God emphasizes a relationship characterized by love, sacrifice, and redemption, whereas Islam’s view of Allah focuses on submission and adherence to religious laws. These distinctions affirm that the God of Christianity, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Allah as described in Islam are not the same.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).