Print

    Fundamentals of the Abrahamic Religions

    Written by: Aiza Azam
    Posted on: September 24, 2015 |

    ‘Say [O Muslims]: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.’
     

    [The Holy Quran, Surah Al Baqarah, verse 136]

     

    Islam, Christianity and Judaism are the three faiths with the largest number of adherents in the world, and are also the most ancient. Referred to collectively as the Abrahamic religions, their foundation was established by the Prophet Abraham when he was enjoined by the Creator to promulgate Monotheism to his people. By virtue of originating from a single source, all three religions have many commonalities in core tenets and practices, with variations in certain areas. Muslims believe that all three religions are in essence the evolution of the same doctrine, with Islam representing the final, perfected version of the Truth.

    Muslims, Christians and Jews all recognize the word of God revealed unto them as guidance; this takes the form of their respective holy scriptures, namely the Quran, the Torah and the Bible. While the Torah and the Quran are taken as a collection of revelations sent directly by God to his prophets, the Bible is believed to have been penned by man and the text is viewed as flawed and contradictory. All three believe that the origin of mankind lies in Adam, and Eve who was created from him; that they resided in Heaven until the Devil tempted them into disobeying God and they were banished from Heaven to Earth, where the race of man would come into being. There exists the belief in a Day of Judgement where mankind will be held accountable for what he has done in this world, and the concept of an Afterlife (with either a reward of Heaven or the punishment of Hell).

    The three religions hold parallels with each other in some of their fundamental beliefs while holding distinct views in others. Muslims and Jews hold to a strictly monotheistic tradition, believing in a God who has always existed and who has neither parents nor offspring; while Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, consisting of the Father (God himself), the Son (God’s son Jesus) and the Holy Spirit (a manifestation of God’s continued spiritual existence and activity in the world). Christians, in contrast to Muslims and Jews, also believe in the Original Sin (the name given to Adam and Eve’s partaking of the forbidden fruit), and essentially the belief that when Adam and Eve were sent down to Earth in consequence for their disobedience of God, they brought evil to this world, and therefore every human being born since is born sinful. Similarly, all three believe in the existence of angels and the Devil, albeit with varying concepts. In Islam, angels are beings created from light who have no free will and who are charged with implementing God’s commands; Satan, not an angel, is a different being created from ‘smokeless fire’, and a creature whom God gave the capacity to choose. In Christianity, angels have distinctive personalities who hold the will to make decisions and choices, while Satan is believed to be a fallen angel, ‘fallen’ because he refused to obey God’s command to bow down to Adam. Judaism coincides with Islam insofar as the description of angels is concerned; however, Satan is also presented as an angel, an agent of God with no free will who is carrying out God’s bidding in this world by testing man’s righteousness.

    The text above is no more than an examination of only some of the pillars that constitute the foundational beliefs of each religion. Deeper study would reveal further similarities and differences, and a more nuanced understanding of each.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021