At a Glance
☾
Islam
Submission to Allah through works and faith
GodAllah — absolutely one, no Son, no Trinity
ScriptureThe Qur’an — the final, uncorrupted Word of Allah
JesusA prophet only — not divine, not crucified, not risen
SalvationWorks + faith + the mercy of Allah — no certainty
AtonementNo substitutionary atonement — each soul bears its own sin
SinMan is weak, not fallen — capable of obedience
The BibleCorrupted by Jews and Christians; superseded by the Qur’an
EternityParadise or hell — determined by deeds and Allah’s will
PrayerSalat — five daily prayers facing Mecca
AssuranceNone — no man can know his eternal destiny
vs
✝
Sovereign Grace
God alone saves, by grace alone, through Christ alone
AuthorityScripture alone — Sola Scriptura
GodThe triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
SalvationGrace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
JustificationComplete, instantaneous, eternal — Romans 5:1
AtonementFinished once for all at Calvary — John 19:30
JesusGod the Son, crucified, risen, and reigning
EternityHeaven or hell — by God’s sovereign grace
AssuranceThe believer may and ought to know he is saved — 1 John 5:13
The ChurchAll elect believers; no earthly headquarters
PrayerTo God alone through Christ alone — 1 Tim 2:5
Detailed Doctrine-by-Doctrine Comparison
Topic
Islam Teaches
Scripture Teaches
God & the Trinity
IslamIslam teaches strict monotheism — tawhid. Allah is absolutely one and indivisible. The Trinity is an unforgivable sin (shirk). God has no Son. Jesus was not God incarnate.
GraceThe Scripture teaches that God exists in three co-equal, co-eternal persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — one God in three persons. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
The Person of Christ
IslamJesus (Isa) was a great prophet and the Messiah, but not divine. He did not die on the cross — another was substituted in his place. He was taken up bodily by Allah and will return at the end of days as a Muslim.
GraceJesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, God manifest in the flesh, who was crucified for sinners, buried, and rose bodily on the third day. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
Scripture
IslamThe Bible was originally given by Allah but has been corrupted beyond recovery by Jews and Christians. The Qur’an, revealed to Muhammad, is the final and preserved Word of Allah, superseding all previous revelation.
GraceThe Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, preserved, and sufficient Word of God. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them (Psalm 12:6–7).
Sin & Human Nature
IslamMan is not born in original sin but is born in a state of fitrah — natural purity and submission to Allah. Sin is disobedience to Allah’s commands, not a fallen nature. Man is capable of obedience.
GraceEvery man is born in sin and dead in trespasses, wholly unable to do good or seek God. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5). The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.
Salvation & Atonement
IslamSalvation is by faith in Allah and Muhammad, combined with righteous works and the mercy of Allah. There is no substitutionary atonement — no one can bear another’s sin. Forgiveness comes directly from Allah to the penitent.
GraceSalvation is entirely by grace, through the substitutionary atonement of Christ, who bore the sins of his elect in his own body on the tree. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3). No works of man contribute anything to justification.
Eternity & Judgment
IslamAfter death all souls pass through the grave until the Day of Judgment. Good deeds and bad deeds are weighed on a divine scale. Heaven (Jannah) and hell (Jahannam) are the two destinations. The fate of the soul is ultimately in Allah’s hands.
GraceAt death the soul of the believer passes immediately to be with Christ; the soul of the unbeliever goes immediately to hell. At the resurrection both are raised for judgment. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
Assurance
IslamNo Muslim can be certain of paradise. Even Muhammad declared he did not know his own fate. Assurance is impossible — only Allah knows. The best a Muslim can do is strive faithfully and hope in Allah’s mercy.
GraceAssurance of salvation is the birthright of every true believer. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Uncertainty about salvation dishonours the finished work of Christ.