It is interesting to note the similarities and differences between the three monotheistic religions of the world today; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What many may not know is that they have common roots and some surprising similarities. What Christians call the "Old Testament" is the holy scripture in Judaism. In Islam, the Quran is in Arabic as God revealed it. Thus, a translation isn't the same as the original in Arabic and will therefore have some faults when translated from Arabic to another language. Some knowledge, like the creation of the world, Adam and Eve, and Eve's influence, can be gained with a basic English translation of the Quran, such as by Saheeh International.
Primarily, the slight difference between the Jewish and Islamic belief regarding the story of the world's creation is interesting. In the Genesis: The Creation of the World, it is written, "On the sixth day, God completed all the work he had been doing, and on the seventh day, he ceased from all his work. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on that day he ceased from all the work he had set himself to do" (141). In Islam too, God (Allah, the One, True God in Arabic) created everything between the heavens and the earth in six days. "And We did certainly create the heavens and earth and what is between them in six days, and there touched Us no weariness" (The Holy Quran 50:38). The difference between the two lies in what happens after the six days of creation. In Islam, God is not like his creation and vice versa, thus, God doesn’t tire like humans. Exhaustion is natural for humans, not God.
Additionally, the creation of Adam and Eve, the first humans, is another point to mention. In Genesis: The Beginnings of History, "The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Thus the man became a living creature" (142). Muslims, the followers of Islam, also believe that God created Adam from dust. In the Quran, it is written, "Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was" (The Holy Quran
Furthermore, both the Jewish and Islamic teachings talk about Adam's first encounter with animals: "So God formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of heaven. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name" (Genesis 142). Basically, God let Adam choose the names for all the animals we know of today. In Islam, it is the opposite. God taught Adam the name of the different animal species. "And He taught Adam the names – all of them… (The Holy Quran 2:31).
Most importantly, Eve plays a major role in both of these religions and ways of life. In Genesis, God wanted a partner for Adam so He created animals, but that wasn’t suitable for a human being. Eve's creation in Judaism is as follows: "And so, the Lord God put the man into a trance, and while he slept, he took one of his ribs and closed the flesh over the place. The Lord God then built up the rib, which he had taken out of the man, into a woman" (142). In the Quran, the creation of Adam and Eve is described as such: "O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul (Adam) and created from it its mate (Eve, or Hawwa in Arabic) and dispersed from both of them many men and women…" (The Holy Quran 4:1). In an authentic, recorded saying of Prophet Muhammad's (may God's peace and blessings be upon him), also known as hadeeth, it is mentioned that women were created from a rib. The rib is fragile and thus, men are told to be gentle and take care of women.
Finally, the belief that Eve is completely responsible for tempting Adam to disobey God in Judaism and Christianity differs dramatically from Islam. In the Jewish faith, a snake tempted Eve to eat from a tree that God forbade. Eve also gave some fruit to Adam to eat. Consequently, their eyes opened and they realized they were naked. They got caught by God and He cursed the three of them. The punishment for women because of Eve was increase in pain when giving birth and obeying her husband, like a master. (Genesis 143-144). This is how the idea of original sin in Judaism and Christianity started.
In Islam there is no such thing as original sin. Humans are born free of sin and are responsible for their own actions. In regards to Adam and Eve sinning, God forgave them after they repented. "Then Satan whispered to him; he said, “O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?” And Adam and his wife ate of it… And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred. Then his Lord chose him and turned to him in forgiveness and guided [him]" (The Holy Quran 20:120-122). In Islam, Eve didn’t entice Adam to sin, thus there is no blame on women. Women in Islam aren't looked at as evil or seducing men into disobedience. All in all, there are some similarities and differences in the teachings of creation between Judaism/ Christianity and Islam, which are fascinating to learn about.
Works Cited
"Genesis." The Bedford Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Paul Davis. Vol. 1. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin, 2004. 141-44. Print.
"The Holy Quran." The Holy Quran. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. http://www.allahsquran.com/read/verses.php?ch=1.
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