Symbols and rituals belong to the vital markers of religion or culture. They signify tradition and unity in the ceremony. Rituals make the divine approachable, as they serve as a link between an adherent and their God. Through prayers, Christians may address God and manifest their commitment. Symbols help Christians identify their brethren in faith, which can be attributed to non-Judeo-Christian religious cultures. Understanding the significance and cultural ties of symbols and rituals inspires fruitful discipleship relationships.
Similarities in Symbols and Rituals
Christianity and Islam maintain specific customs dedicated to the Church Year, holidays, fasting, and symbols. Time of praying and anticipation is adorned with fasting, an essential Christian practice. Muslims also regard fasting with reverence, as it precedes their grand celebration, Ramadan. Adherents to Islam begin celebrating the last day of fasting three days before arranging family gatherings to reflect on their theology (Barrett & Bennett, 2020). Both Christians and Muslims use fasting to connect with the divine and show their reverence to God.
The symbols of light and the Sun are ever-present in Christianity, manifesting hope, wisdom, and purity. The light of God’s eternal guidance finds its form in the celebrating Star (Reimer, 2018). Islam is also connected to celestial bodies, namely, the Moon and a star. Consequently, the mosques are adorned with the Qiblah, a Muslim symbol of enlightenment (Bacquet, 2019). Islamic art is void of forms reminiscent of human bodies, so Muslims embellish mosques with geometrical patterns and nature. This fact symbolizes their devotion to their God, as it is prohibited in Islam to render an idol out of someone (Bacquet, 2019). The sentiment is shared by Christians, as they should not have “other gods before me” (King James Bible 1769/2017).
Differences in Symbols and Rituals
Christianity and Islam belong to the world religions, so they share common virtues and principles, yet, they significantly differ in the means of expressing those virtues and values behind common signals. Specifically, the most celebrated means of inclusion in Christianity is a Cross. It is a promise of salvation with its ancient picture, the Tree of Life being another symbol of salvation, directly linked to Christ’s crucifixion (Reimer, 2018).
Now, by wearing a cross, Christians maintain a constant reminder of a promise and their responsibilities before God. The Muslim’s duties are navigated through another means, namely the ritual of the “Five Pillars.” They manifest grounding Muslim virtues in the declaration of faith, prayers, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage (Bacquet, 2019). In this regard, Christianity emphasizes reconciling with God and reaching Heaven, while Muslim rituals suggest the importance of living a faithful mortal life and serving Allah.
The Way to Avoid Misunderstandings
The similarities might prove beneficial for the gospel. Adherents to Christianity share relevant virtues, so an evangelist would have a common ground with a Muslim, as Christ teaches his children to be benevolent, diligent, and seek the Kingdom of God. Naturally, Christianity and Islam practice common signs to explain divine powers, so the reference in question may make Christ’s teaching more approachable and relevant to an adherent to Islam.
Yet, it is vital to emphasize the differences. It would be beneficial to clarify the distinctive features of Christianity, namely unity and inclusion, represented by a rainbow shown to Noah (Reimer, 2018). To avoid misconceptions, evangelists may also specify the meaning of light and the purpose of enlightenment and share their story of finding God’s light to strengthen the discipleship relationships. This way, a listener would receive a clear picture of what ties Christianity to other major religions and what makes Christ’s teaching unique.
Various symbols and rituals represent divine wisdom and assist in preaching Christ’s way. Christians and Muslims share a distinct amount of virtues painted in similar signs and practices, and consequently, these similarities may help create a fruitful foundation for the gospel. Yet, it is essential to delegate personal experience and interpreter the differences to avoid possible misconceptions. In this regard, one should remain reverent with Christ’s teachings and the light of Christianity.
References
Bacquet, S. (2019). Religious symbols and the intervention of the law: Symbolic functionality in pluralist states. Taylor & Francis.
Barrett, M. A., & Bennett, M. (2020). 40 Questions about Islam. Kregel Publications.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. Web.
Reimer, M. L. (2018). Approaching the divine: Signs and symbols of the Christian faith. Wipf & Stock Publishers.