In French, religion means to do the right thing and fulfil one’s obligations. Furthermore, humanity is everyone’s initial religious belief.
Afterwards, people began associating religion with different gods in whom they had faith. In the Western world, the Abrahamic religion, related to Abram, is common in most countries.
Islam and Catholicism fall under the Abrahamic religion. Followers of these religions believe that God is the supreme power as per the holy book, Bible.
According to Islam, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, a former political leader, is the religion’s true founder. On the contrary, Catholicism is the custom that all the catholic churches follow.
Key Takeaways
- Islam’s central figure is the Prophet Muhammad, while Catholicism follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity, whereas Muslims believe in the oneness of God (Allah) without any partners or associates.
- Islam has five pillars of faith, while Catholicism adheres to the Seven Sacraments.
Islam vs Catholicism
The fundamentals of Islam revolve around the oneness of God, Muhammad being God’s last messenger, and the Quran, the Holy Scripture, is God’s word. Catholicism revolves around the Holy Trinity, where God, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Ghost in combination serve as God.
Islam is a religion that has its roots in Judaism, the world’s oldest religion and adheres to its primary principles. Followers of Islam offer their prays five times by visiting the mosque in their areas.
In this religion, Friday is the special day to worship by reading the Quran (Muhammad’s holy book).
Catholicism also has a similar principle that God is one. Christians pray by going to a church in their neighbourhood consisting of a priest, also known as the Father.
There are prie-dieu services in some churches (a prayer desk). To express honour to Jesus Christ, followers pray by lighting a candle.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Islam | Catholicism |
|---|---|---|
| Follows | Muhammad is followed by those who are connected with Islam. | People of Catholicism follow Jesus’ Christ (Yeshua). |
| Religious Place | Muslims go to the mosque to worship. | Christians visit the church for worshipping. |
| Famous Festivals | Ramzan Id and Bakr Id are two major Muslim celebrations. | Easter and Christmas are the main festivities of Christian. |
| Main Countries | Indonesia and Pakistan. | Vatican City, Timor Leste, and Greenland. |
| Holy Book | People who are associated with Islam read Quran. | Christians read Bible. |
What is Islam?
Islam is the most widely practised religion in Arab and Asian countries, with millions of adherents. The primary principle of Islam is to surrender to Muhammad for salvation to improve their life before death.
Followers of Islam are called Muslims (an Arabic word which means those who only live to please God).
Muhammad founded this religion in Saudi Arabia (earlier known as Mecca). As recorded in the Quran, he was entirely persuaded by the angel Gabriel when he was alive.
This holy book shows that God and his messengers have a deep and significant relationship.
Muslims pray five times a day in Arabic in a mosque or from home. While worshipping, they raise their palms in the direction of Saudi Arabia and recite their famous phrase ‘Allahu Akbar.
They pray in multiple positions, including kneeling, standing, and bending to the ground.
Ramzan Id and Bakr Id are two of Islam’s most important feasts. According to Islam, Ramzan Id is observed at the end of the ninth month. The ninth month is Ramadan, during which Muslims avoid eating and drinking from sunset to sunrise.
The two most important mosques are the Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and the Quba Mosque (the first mosque) in Medina. Both mosques are visited by millions of people each year.
What is Catholicism?
Catholicism is also one of the largest religions followed in Western countries. Followers of this religion are known to be Christians who follow the path shown by Jesus Christ (messenger of God).
When Jesus was alive, he possessed divine healing abilities. Therefore, he began to be revered as God’s incarnate.
In the fourth century, Jesus Christ founded Catholicism in the Holy Roman Empire (Europe) by erecting churches as places of worship.
Christians believe in the holy trinity, or triangle, in which the Father, Son and holy spirit are all one and connected to God.
Churches and chapels are places where the Father is present, and Christians light candles to show their love and respect for God.
Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s prayer (a crucial prayer) as a way to connect with their inner selves and supreme power.
Easter and Christmas are two of the most important religious holidays. According to the Easter tradition, Jesus rose to life again.
As a result, many express their overwhelming excitement by attending church and fasting. Christmas is celebrated as the birthday of the Christian founder.
In Spain’s capital city, the Sagrada Familia is a well-known church. Its construction has not been completed since the nineteenth century, although it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest in Syria and is famous in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Main Differences Between Islam and Catholicism
- The majority of Muslims follow Islam. However, most Christians follow Catholicism.
- Muhammad is the founder of Islam, a religion that rejects the concept of trinity. On the other hand, Catholicism was founded by Jesus Christ in the 4th century (the Devine power).
- Ramzan Id and Bakr Id are two of Islam’s most popular celebrations. Christians in Catholicism celebrate Easter and Christmas.
- Muslims pray at least five times a day and read the Holy Quran. However, Christians pray several times and read Bible.
- Indonesia and Pakistan are two Islamic nations. On the other hand, Catholicism is widely practised in Vatican City and Leste Timor.
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/40971526
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=XKeHDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Islam+and+Catholicism+&ots=isg1iC8cYp&sig=7KA0JvkMNmAuHFgsVY6V7w48Uig
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
I can still imagine the author’s smile while writing this post, it’s really funny
The comparisons and contrasts of Islam and Catholicism are presented quite clearly in the text, which makes it very informative.
The different approach to the two religions, both with similar goals, is explained outstandingly in the post.
This detailed post shows comprehensive principles, holidays, and traditions of both Islam and Catholicism.
I think the writer missed important differences to mention between the two religions. For example, the concept of trinity in Catholicism, and the revelation between Allah and the human kind to Islam.
The detailed comparison between the two religions is excellent, also showing the famous religious components of each religion.