One of the most serious and growing threats in the world today comes from those who practice the religion of Islam. As this false religion – based upon the teaching and examples of Mohammed – increases in power and influence Christians will inevitably be called upon to defend the truth about Jesus as the only begotten Son of God and Savior of the world. One method of doing so is to contrast Jesus with Mohammed.
Sinless Life
Concerning Jesus, we know that He lived a sinless life. He claimed this (John 8:29), and His disciples confirmed it: “Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). In fact, even His enemies could not bring just charges against Him (Mark 14:55-59)
However, Mohammed never claimed sinlessness, and actually admitted he was guilty of sin.1 As an example of his sinful conduct, an episode is noted during his time as the ruler of Medina. He made a treaty in which he promised not to attack Mecca for 10 years, but he attacked them the very next year.2
Miracles
We have ample evidence that Jesus worked true and observable miracles. He said that the miracles He performed were intended to reveal and confirm His identity as God’s Son (Matthew 11:3-5). As one might expect, His disciples reported these miracles (John 20:30,31). But, it is very significant to note that even His enemies had to admit that He worked miracles: “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation” (John 11:47-48).
Of course, the most noteworthy of all the miracles is the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 1:4). There is even confirmation from secular history concerning this matter: “Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.” 3
In the case of Mohammed, there are no serious claims that he ever did miracles and therefore there is no confirmation that his message was from God. There are no eyewitness accounts of any miracles he supposedly did. Specifically, Muslims do not even claim that Mohammed arose from the dead. The closest that one might come to a reported miracle is a claim that one night Mohammed was carried to Jerusalem from whence he ascended into heaven and saw wonderful visions. However, no one saw it this happen, and his wife said he never left the bed.4
Fulfilled Prophecy
There are many examples of ancient prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. For example:
· His birth (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 7:14)
· The place of His birth (Matthew 2:4-6; Micah 5:2)
· The time of His coming (Galatians 4:4,5; Daniel 2:44; 9:24-26)
· His betrayal (Matthew 27:7-10; Zechariah 11:12,13)
· His trial and crucifixion (Matthew 27:12-14; Isaiah 53:7; Luke 23:32; Isaiah 53:12; John 20:27; Psalm 22:16)
· His burial (Matthew 27:57-60; Isaiah 53:9)
While there are hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, there are no such prophecies about Mohammed. Muslims can only claim that prophecies about Mohammed originally were in the Bible, but were removed by Jews and Christians. Of course, manuscript evidence completely disproves this claim.
Conclusion
Jesus taught that there is no way to approach God the Father other than through Him: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He said that a denial of His role as the Messiah would lead to eternal destruction: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). The apostle Peter proclaimed that “neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
The religion of Islam is false. It is based upon the failed claims of Mohammed. It will not lead one to heaven in eternity.
1 William Miller, A Christian’s Response To Islam, Wheaton, Illinois, Tyndale House Pub., 1981, p. 26,50
2 Ibid., p. 33
3 Josephus, Antiquities Of The Jews, XIII, 3
4 Miller., p. 24
– by Greg Gwin
