Islam vs Judaism: Difference and Comparison

Islam is said to have originated in Mecca, which is located on Mount Hira in the Arabian Peninsula. Islamic practises are said to have been founded by Prophet Muhammad. However, the origin of Judaism can be traced back to the Levant.

The founding fathers of Judaism are Moses, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham.

Key Takeaways

1. Islam and Judaism are monotheistic religions with roots in the Middle East, but Islam has more followers globally.
2. Both religions have sacred texts: the Quran for Muslims and the Torah for Jews, but their beliefs and practices differ.
3. Dietary laws are present in both religions, but Islamic halal laws and Jewish kosher laws have distinct guidelines and restrictions.

Islam vs Judaism

The core belief of Islam is the existence of one God, and Muslims believe that their purpose in life is to worship and obey God. Islam has five pillars, which are essential practices for Muslims. Judaism is centred around the belief in one God, who revealed himself to the Israelites at Mount Sinai and made a covenant with them.

Mecca, atop Mount Hira on the Arabian Peninsula, is considered the birthplace of Islam. Prophet Muhammad is regarded as the creator of Islamic beliefs and practices.

Arabic is regarded as the Islamic people’s native tongue. Muslims frequently use Arabic and Urdu as well as other languages. “The Qur’an” is followed by Muslims.

They also follow the teachings of Muhammad, the last messenger. In Islam, redemption is attained via belief in one god, remembering God, fearing God, repentance, and trusting in God’s kindness.

The origins of Judaism can be traced to the Levant. The founders of Judaism are Moses, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham.

Hebrew is the official and original language of Jews and those who practise Judaism. Jews, or those who practise Judaism, adhere to their sacred scripture known as “Tanakh,” known as the Jewish Bible or Torah.

In Judaism, redemption is attained through maintaining faith in God and performing good deeds, also known as Mitzvot.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Islam	Judaism
Followers	Muslim	Jews
Founder	Prophet Muhammad	Moses, Jacob, Issac and Abraham
Original language	Arabic	Hebrew
Sacred book	The Qur’an	Torah or Tanakh
Place of worship	Masjid	synagogues

What is Islam?

“The Qur’an” is followed by those who practise Islam. They also follow the customs of Muhammad, the last messenger.

In the case of Islam, salvation can be attained through maintaining a belief in one god, remembering God, fearing God, repentance, and trusting in God’s kindness.

The creator of Islamic rituals is known as Prophet Muhammad. Muslims are persons who practise Islam’s religious activities and follow its teachings.

The native language of the Islamic people is Arabic. Arabic and Urdu are two of the most widely spoken languages among Muslims.

To be used by Muslims for prayer, however, the location must be clean and sanitary. Mecca, located on Mount Hira on the Arabian Peninsula, is regarded as the birthplace of Islam.

Masjid or mosque is the name given to the place of worship for Muslims.

What is Judaism?

Jews, or those who practise Judaism, adhere to a sacred text known as “Tanakh,” sometimes known as the Jewish Bible or Torah. In Judaism, redemption is attained through maintaining faith in God and performing good deeds, known as Mitzvot.

Jews and those who practise Judaism consider Hebrew to be the official and original language.

Synagogues, which are positioned on the western wall of the temple in Jerusalem, are places of worship for persons who follow the faith of Judaism.

The origins of Judaism can be traced back to the Levant. Moses, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham are considered the founders of Judaism. Jews are those who adhere to the religious practices of Judaism.

Main Differences Between Islam and Judaism

1. The place of worship of the followers of Islam is known as masjid or mosque. However, the place must be clean and hygienic to be utilised by Muslims for praying. On the other hand, the place of worship of the people who follow the religion of Judaism is known as synagogues, which is the western wall placed in the temple located in Jerusalem.
2. Mecca, which is located at Mount Hira in the Arabian peninsula, is considered the place of origin of Islam. On the other hand, the levant is the place from where Judaism was originated.
3. Prophet Muhammad is known to be the founder of Islamic practices. On the other hand, Moses, Jacob, Issac and Abraham are known to be the founder of Judaism practices.
4. The people and followers of the religious practices of Islam are known as Muslims. On the other hand, the people who follow the religious practices of Judaism are called Jews.
5. Arabic is considered the original language of Islamic people. Arabic and Urdu are some of the common languages used by Muslims extensively. On the other hand, Hebrew is considered the official and original language of Jews and the people following Judaism practices.
6. People following the religion of Islam follow “The Qur’an”. Alongside, they follow the practices of the last messenger, Muhammad. On the other hand, Jews or the people following Judaism follow their sacred scripture called, “Tanakh” which is otherwise called as Jewish Bible and Torah.
7. In the case of Islam, the means of salvation can be achieved by keeping belief in one god, remembering god, fear of God, repentance and keeping hope in the mercy of God. On the other hand, in the case of Judaism, salvation can be achieved by keeping belief in God and good deeds, otherwise called Mitzvot.

References

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=lang_en&id=OyhsQTE9JlEC&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=judaism+and+islam&ots=z3e_QD-HpX&sig=bFWXN_1XgY_np6BcnC5pEBkEAAE
2. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ajs-review/article/rethinking-karaism-between-judaism-and-islam/B01465BB903EF30669242D9F2F2ACE43

Last Updated : 13 July, 2023