Judaism and Islam: Not So Different After All
Unfortunately today, Islam and Judaism are seen as two conflicting religions that will forever be in turmoil and conflict. Little do many people know the many similarities between the two religions. Of course, the two faiths have many major, distinct differentiations. If they didn’t, they would be the same religion. However the two religions share many of the same principles and beliefs, both through the written teachings themselves and the practice and implementation of the religion throughout the world today. Specifically, Islam and Judaism share similarity points of view when it comes to the personification of G-d and the number of G-ds, Pilgrimages to holy lands, and the requirements for giving charity.
Judaism and Islam’s interpretations of G-d are similar to each other, and both together are different than the way Christianity interprets G-d and its major figures. Both Judaism and Islam started among communities whose majority population and leaders came from polytheism. It is said that Abraham was the son of an idol salesman, where he went in and destroyed all of the idols claiming it to be ridiculous. Mohammed was in Mecca, a religious center for polytheistic Arabian religions. Mohammed was visited by Gabriel, and was told to proclaim Allah and that there is only one Allah. Both religions are against the personification of G-d. A major theme of Islam is the rejection of G-d being part of the Holy Trinity. The reason for this is that no man can have the same traits as G-d and therefor, cannot be part of a triad together (Firestone 81). Judaism as well does not believe in personifying HaShem by any means. Along those lines, Judaism and Islam don’t believe in praying towards any individual, unlike denominations who pray to, and or thank Jesus personally. Also, in denominations of Christianity Jesus is physically portrayed on crosses and stand-alone sculptures. Together Islam and Judaism and Islam don’t believe in physical shrine like representations of its stories or anecdotes. Both denominations cherish the beauty of their praying space and aspects of it, but nothing of the religion itself.

Pilgrimage for Muslims is a lot more commonly known than Pilgrimage for Jews, but both religions share the need for making Pilgrimage to their holy land. As one of the five pillars of Islam, all Muslims at some point of their life are required to take the journey to Mecca to take part in the Hajj. The Hajj is the same time every year, from the 8th to 12th day 12th month of the Islamic Calendar entitled Dhu al-Hijjah. Millions of Muslims from around the world still take part in this tradition, and is by no means a part of the religion that has faded throughout the centuries. The pilgrimage to Mecca includes rituals including walking counter clockwise seven times around the Kaaba, the direction for Muslim Prayer, drinking from the Zamzam Well, and the symbolic Stoning of the Devil (174). The word Hajj comes from the similar root and meaning as the Hebrew word, Chag. A Chag in Hebrew isn’t the word for pilgrimage, but rather the word for holiday. Though not every holiday is one that requires a pilgrimage the three festivals, Shlosha Regalim in Hebrew, are one in which Jews are supposed to return to the Land in Israel. Though not as widely practiced, many people each year do return to Jerusalem for at least one of the holidays (most often Passover). Even in the diaspora, on all three holidays Jews recite the phrase, “B’shana, H’abah, B’Yirushalayim,” which translates to Next Year in Jerusalem. During the Passover Seder, this is the very last line that is said at the conclusion of the ceremony. Even for the majority of the population who doesn’t make the physical pilgrimage, every year Jews consciously pray to take part of the pilgrimage next year, and that Next Year to be in Jerusalem. Though their implementations in the year 2011 are not the same, both Judaism and Islam both have an aspect of Pilgrimage for its followers to their respective holy lands.
Not only do both religions believe in charity, and helping the poor but both religions share similar words for the same concept. Tzedakah is the Hebrew term for Charity. Sadaqat is the Arabic word for charitable deeds. Muslims are required to give to relatives, friends and the needy. As well, Jews are required to donate money to those and need, as well as helping out family and friends. In Islam however, giving of charity is looked upon as an act that will be rewarded by G-d later on. However, Judaism views charity as a necessity. All belongings in the world are possessions of HaShem, and aren’t those of the holder themselves. Therefor, it is an obligation to share the possessions of Hashem with those who are in need. Both religions look at charity as the act of holding a relationship with both G-d, and man (Firestone 166-167). The act of giving charity is the one way to bring man and G-d closer to one another.

All being said, Judaism and Islam share many common beliefs and practices. Regrettably today’s political conflicts and fanatical members of each faction cause the inability for the religions to share true dialogue. Once both sides are able to, and are willing to come to the table, followers of each religion would discover the similarities between both religions. One purpose of religion is to bring people together, but unfortunately if the people aren’t believers of the same religion, religion acts as a wedge. Once religions can focus on the positives and similarities of one another, there would be more understanding and there would be less conflict around the world.