The 3 Monotheisms: Similarities and Differences

Explanation: Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) is the founding patriarch recognized by all three religions. Judaism descends from his son Isaac, Islam from his son Ishmael, and Christianity reveres him as a spiritual ancestor.

Explanation: Jerusalem is holy to all three religions: it houses the Western Wall (Judaism), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Christianity) and the Dome of the Rock / Al-Aqsa Mosque (Islam).

Explanation: In Islam, Jesus (Issa) is recognized as a major prophet and the Messiah, but not as the Son of God. He is mentioned 25 times in the Quran. Islam denies his crucifixion and states he was raised to heaven.

Explanation: Judaism appeared around 2000 BCE with Abraham, Christianity in the 1st century with Jesus, and Islam in the 7th century with Muhammad. Each recognizes the prophets of the preceding religions.

Explanation: The Christian Old Testament incorporates the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) from Judaism. Islam recognizes the Torah (Tawrat) and Psalms (Zabur) as divine revelations preceding the Quran.

Explanation: Judaism observes Shabbat on Saturday, Christianity on Sunday, and Islam on Friday (day of congregational prayer, Jumu'ah). These days reflect the history and identity of each religion.

Explanation: Pork is forbidden (haram/tref) in both Judaism and Islam. Judaism forbids it because it does not chew cud (Leviticus 11), and Islam considers it unclean (Quran, Surah 2:173). Christianity does not forbid it.

Explanation: The Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is specific to Christianity. Judaism and Islam practice strict monotheism: God is one and indivisible. Islam considers the Trinity as polytheism (shirk).

Explanation: The synagogue is the place of prayer and study in Judaism. The church is the Christian place of worship, and the mosque that of Islam. The word "synagogue" comes from the Greek "sunagōgē" (assembly).

Explanation: Noah (Nuh in Arabic) is the prophet of the Flood in all three religions. He builds an ark on God's command to save his family and the animals. The story appears in Genesis, the Quran and Jewish tradition.

Explanation: Gabriel appears in all three religions: he announces the birth of Jesus to Mary (Christianity), transmits the Quran to Muhammad (Islam) and appears to the prophet Daniel (Judaism). His name means "strength of God."

Explanation: Islam is the most recent of the three, founded in the 7th century (610-632 CE) with the revelations received by Muhammad. Judaism dates back to ~2000 BCE and Christianity to the 1st century.

Explanation: Allah (الله) is the Arabic word for "God." It is used by all Arabic speakers, including Arab Christians. Yahweh (YHWH) is the Hebrew name for God in Judaism. All three religions worship the same one God.

Explanation: Circumcision is practiced in Judaism (on the 8th day, Brit Milah) and in Islam (Sunnah). Early Christianity abandoned this requirement at the Council of Jerusalem (~50 CE).

Explanation: The three monotheistic religions represent about 55% of the world population: ~31% Christians (2.4B), ~24% Muslims (1.9B) and ~0.2% Jews (15M). That is over 4.3 billion people.