Interesting Similarities in Islam and Judaism

(1). Jewish and Muslim concepts of monotheism (Belief in a single God)

“Know this day, and take it to heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is none else.”Deuteronomy 4:39

In islam:

Then do not set up rivals unto Allâh (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).[al-Baqarah 2:022]

Say (O Muhammad “He is Allâh, (the) One.Allâh-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” (Sura 112:1-4)

Say (O Muhammad pbuh ): “Verily, I am commanded to worship Allâh (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship; [039:011]

(2). Islam and Judaism prohibit the consumption of pork.

And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it [is] unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.Deuteronomy 14:8

A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels; Isaiah 65:3-4

In islam:

He has forbidden you only Al-Maytatah (meat of a dead animal), blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols etc. or on which Allâh’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). [16:115]

He has forbidden you only the Maytatah (dead animals), and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a scrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., on which Allâh’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). [2:173]

(3). Strict dietary laws in Islam and Judaism & slaughtering of the animal is must in both religions.

The mammals and birds that may be eaten must be slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law. (Deut. 12:21)

In islam:

Permitted food is known as Halaal in Islam.

He has forbidden you only Al-Maytatah (meat of a dead animal), blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols etc. or on which Allâh’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). [16:115]

He has forbidden you only the Maytatah (dead animals), and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a scrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., on which Allâh’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). [2:173]

(4).Modest Clothing in Islam and Judaism .

In islam:

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) [al-Noor 24:31]

(5). Female singing voice.

In islam:

….. then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery, etc.) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner. ” [al-Ahzaab 33:32]

And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing) to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah…” [Luqmaan 31:6]

(6)Touching men or women who are not married or are not immediate blood relatives is not allowd in both the religions.

The prohibition of Negiah is derived from two verses in Leviticus: “Any man shall not approach his close relative to uncover nakedness; I am God” (18:6), and: “You shall not approach a woman in her time of unclean separation, to uncover her nakedness” (18:19)

In islam:

Aa’ishah(RA) said: Whoever among the believing women agreed to that had passed the test, and when the women agreed to that, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to them: “Go, for you have given your oath of allegiance.’ No, by Allaah, the hand of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never touched the hand of any woman, rather they would give their oath of allegiance with words only.” And ‘Aa’ishah(RA) said: “By Allaah, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only took the oath of allegiance from the women in the manner prescribed by Allaah, and the hand of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never touched the hand of any woman. When he had taken their oath of allegiance he would say, ‘I have accepted your oath of allegiance verbally.’”(narrated by Muslim, 1866)

(7).In Islam and Judaism , men and women who are not married to each other and are not immediate blood relatives are not allowed to enter into a secluded situation in a room or in an area that is private.[not allowed to sit alone in a room or in an area that is private.]

In islam:

was narrated from ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Beware of entering upon women.” A man from among the Ansaar said: “O Messenger of Allaah, what about the in-law?” He said: “The in-law is death.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4934; Muslim, 2172.

And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.

[al-Ahzaab 33:53]

It was narrated from Jaabir that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in the Farewell Khutbah:

“Fear Allaah with regard to women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allaah, and intimacy with them has become permissible to you by the word of Allaah. Your rights over them are that they should not allow anyone whom you dislike to sit on your furniture. If they do that, then hit them, but in a manner that does not cause injury or leave a mark. Their rights over you are that you should provide for them and clothe them in a reasonable manner.” Narrated by Muslim (1218).

Allah knows the best.

Written by: als