Islam - Issues of Life and Death:

Creation Story - Christians: In Genesis 1 it states that 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth'. Genesis 1 describes how God created all things over 6 days by speaking things into existence. "And God said 'Let there be light' and there was light". Genesis 2 teaches that God made Adam and Eve first, before the animals, and placed them in the Garden of Eden. "Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken from the man". 

Creation Story - Islam: The Qur'an teaches us that God is the creator and sustainer of all life. Muslims believe that God created the heavens and earth from formless matter over six long periods of time. He created humans out of clay moulding Adam and breathing life into him. “Indeed, your Lord is God who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established himself above the throne.”

Christian Literalists believe that the bible should be understood word for word and examples include young earth creationists because "All scripture is God breathed". Meanwhile, liberalists believe that people can interpret the bible. 

Other Creation Stories: Charles Darwin 'The Theory of Evolution', theists believe 

Big Bang Theory: In 1965 cosmologists published evidence to show that the universe began from the point of ‘singularity’ which then expanded in a hot and dense environment so that matter was formed. Most believe that the expansion will continue for billions of years to come. This theory was supported by the discovery of cosmic background radiation thought to be left over from the initial expansion at the point of ‘singularity’. 

Intelligent design: ID is the popular belief in the USA today among some Christians. It states that there exist things that are so complex and have a purpose and therefore cannot have simply developed through evolution. Michael Behe came up with the argument of IRREDUCIBLE COMPLEXITY using the example of a mousetrap. He claimed that the function of some things in nature require all parts to be present in the very beginning,, just like a mousetrap. Therefore it could not have developed over time through evolution but things must have been made on day one in exactly the same way as they exist today. 

Christianity: Christians believe that humans are given the role to be stewards of god’s creation. “You have made them the rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet”. Liberal Christians argue that we are to care for the world because God told Adam "To cultivate and care for it" (referring to the Garden of Eden), Evangelical Christians take the bible literally so they believe they can rule the world using the natural resources, and Green Christians promote enviromental awareness. 

Islam: Muslims believe that animals must be respected but they are not sacred and can be used for human benefit and is shown in the story of the prostitute and the thirsty dog. Humans are meant to be Khalifahs because "The earth is green and beautiful, God has appointed you stewards over it". There is a balance in the universe that must be maintained by mankind called Fitrah. No change should there be in the creation of God. We will be judged on how we treat the universe. 

Christianity: God created mankind 'in his image' so all life is sacred and the Bible says that 'In his hand is the life of every creature'. Jesus showed that all life should be valued though the way he treated lepers, the sick, and despised groups such as The Good Samaritan. Finally, God is involved in our life from the very beginning 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you'. 

Islam: Muslims believe that all life is created by God nad only he can take it away 'And do not kill the soul which God has forbidden'. It is believed that God has a plan for each life before each person is 'planted as a seed in your mother's womb'. Therefore, any Muslims who kills will be judged as if he killed the whole of mankind. "And whosoever takes a life, it is as if he has slain the whole of mankind, and he who saves a life, it is as if he has saved the whole of mankind". 

Christianity: Catholics believe that life is sacred and God given. From the moment of conception a new life has begun so abortion is forbidden at any stage. Instead the foetus has a right to live and terminating this is a moral evil. The Didache written in the second century states: "You shall not kill the embryo by abortion". The Church of England says that abortion is not allowed for social reasons but possibly if the mother’s life is in danger and out of compassion if the woman has been *****. 

Islam: Most Muslims agree that only God can create and take away life and so abortion is mostly considered haram. Abortion for purely economic reasons is forbidden in the Qur’an, "Do not kill your children out of poverty". However, abortion may be allowed if the child is likely to have a serious illness or if the mother’s life is at risk. Generally, it is agreed that ‘ensoulment’ takes place at 120 days after conception and from this point on abortion is mostly considered haram unless it is the ‘lesser of two evils’ ie. to save the mother’s life. The taking of the life of a child is a sin which will have to be answered for in front of Allah on judgement day.

Christianity: Most agree that Euthansia is unacceptable as they believe in the Sanctity of Life and those who assist are going against the 10 commandments. Some believe that suffering can have a purpose and must be endured. "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear". Liberal Christians believe that it is acceptable to turn off the life support if the person is brain dead. They may also consider withholding treatment which prolongs a painful disease because Jesus was compassionate. 

Islam: Muslims believe that no matter what state a body is in, the soul is perfect and therefore life cannot be ended early. All life is made by God so taking away life is wrong. "He who created all things in the best way". Materialism - the belief that we are merely physical bodies and dualism - the belief that we are made of two separate parts, the body and the soul.

Christianity: Christians believe that the soul was 'breathed' into Adam during mankind's creation. It is through our soul that we connect to God so our soul would live on (dualism). Non-dualists argue that the body and soul cannot be seperated so although the soul will be immediately judged after death and the body will resurrect on the final day of judgement. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”. Evangelical Christians refer to heaven and hell as literal places whereas others understand it simply to mean being in or without God’s presence for eternity.

Islam: Muslims believe that God made Adam from the ‘earth’ and so we have a physical body which is also blessed with a soul (ruh). When a child is born they have a natural belief in God (fitrah) and therefore our soul naturally seeks to follow the religion of Islam. This life is preparation for akhirah – the life to come. Upon death the soul is kept in Barzakh waiting for the day of judgement when all will be raised from the dead to stand before Allah who will judge. Muslims believe the Mahdi (the ‘guided one’ or saviour) will also come at this time to save the world. Muslims tend to have a literal view of Jannah (heaven) and Jahannam (hell).