A Comparison of the Beliefs and Practices Between Islam and Catholicism
The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone.
A COMPARISON OF THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES CONTAINED IN THE FIVE PILLARS OF THE ISLAM FAITH WITH THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH
by Stan Grenn (grenns@bellsouth.net) – OLLI Class at UNF, 2011.
INTRODUCTION
All too frequently people look at the differences that exist between various faiths rather than the similarities. The purpose of this paper is to identify some of the similarities between the beliefs and practices contained in the five pillars of Islam with those of the Catholic Christian faith much of which can apply to the Christian community in general.
I believe that we become more aware of the similarities of our various faiths when we dialogue with each other rather than try to convince the other of the rightness of our beliefs compared with theirs. In other words we need to have an honest exchange of beliefs with individuals of other faiths. If we truly dialogued with people of other faiths in the way that I am suggesting, I believe that most of the wars that we have had in the world would never had taken place.
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
One: Declare the faith – there is no true God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God.
At first glance it would appear that there is a fairly significant difference between this first pillar of the Islam faith and Catholic beliefs regarding God – after all, Muslims believe in one God and Catholics believe in the trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, However, a closer look at the two beliefs will show that they are not as far apart as first appears.
If a Catholic was asked if they believe in three different Gods, they would say no. That’s because the Catholic Church teaches that the members of the trinity are said to co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence and power, nature, action, and will. In other words the members of the trinity are one – otherwise how could they be one in essence, will, nature, power, etc.
The Catholic Church is a monotheistic church not a polytheistic church. Although the Catholic understanding of God as a trinity is more complicated than the more simple understanding of the one true God by Muslims, both Catholics and Muslims worship the same one God and more importantly are called to make that God the center of their lives.
Two: Prayer – five ritual prayers a day – prayer serves as a direct link between the worshipper and God. – Muslims face the Kabah in Mecca during ritual prayers – prior to prayer, ritual purification is necessary. (facing Kabah to show a unity of prayer).
Prayers are extremely important to practicing Catholics as they are to practicing Muslims. In fact Catholic clergy and religious brothers and sisters follow a set of prayers similar to the five ritual prayers said by Muslims at various times of the day. These prayers are called the Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office and are based on the system of praying practiced by monks in monasteries. They consist of Office of Reading, Lauds, Daytime Prayer, Vespers and Compline and are intended to be prayed at different times of the day. Although these prayers are primarily prayers of the clergy and religious, Catholic lay people are encouraged to say these prayers and many do.
In addition to the Liturgy of the Hours, Catholics have a rich tradition of many ways of praying including the rosary, novenas and chaplets. As with Muslims Catholics can pray anywhere.
Three: Almsgiving or Zakat – give a specified percentage of certain assets to anyone who is destitute, needy, engaged in a righteous cause, needing to pay off burdensome debt.
Catholics are encouraged to tithe – give a certain percentage (normally 10%) of their income to support the church and charitable causes. The Catholic Church teaches that the goods of the earth are meant for all mankind, not just for those who can afford them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the, “goods of creation are destined for the whole human race.” And that the, “appropriation of property is legitimate for guaranteeing the freedom and dignity of persons”.
There are many Catholic organizations serving the poor that depend on the contributions of ordinary Catholics for a good part of their budget – organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities. Some Catholic churches operate soup kitchens and food cupboards and open their doors to the homeless on cold nights.
Four: Fasting during Raman – Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Fast from dawn until sundown. Abstain from food, drink, and intimate relations. Fast-breaking each days often communal.
Each year Catholics set aside 40 days for fasting, repentance and prayer called Lent. In the United States Catholics over age 14 and over are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. All Catholics between ages 18 and 59 are required to fast – one full meal – on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
After Vatican II Catholics in the United States were no longer required to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. However, the Catholic Church still recommends abstinence on all Fridays of the year, not just during Lent. In fact, if Catholics don’t abstain from meat on non-Lenten Fridays, they required to substitute some other form of penance.
Five: Pilgrimage to Mecca – pilgrimage (Hajj) is a once in a lifetime obligation. For the physically and financially able.
Although Catholics are not required to make a pilgrimage, many make pilgrimages to places such as Medjugorje, Fatima, Lourdes and the Holy Land (Israel). Pilgrimages to the Holy Land generally include visits to a number of locations including the Mount of the Beatitudes, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Church of the Nativity.
Most Catholics taking a pilgrimage have the same spiritually uplifting experience that Muslims who take the Hajj describe.