Islam vs. Buddhism — What's the Difference?

A monotheistic Abrahamic faith that believes in one God and follows the teachings of Muhammad as a prophet.

Focuses on meditation and mindfulness as means of achieving higher states of awareness.

Characterized by the practice of the Five Pillars.

Encourages ethical living, compassion, and wisdom.

Places significant emphasis on community, morality, and the law.

Observes days significant to the life of the Buddha.

Celebrates significant religious events with community gatherings.

A non-theistic religion that emphasizes personal enlightenment and the overcoming of suffering.

Promotes charity and concern for the needy.

Adaptable to various cultures, leading to diverse practices and sects.

Islam (; Arabic: اَلْإِسْلَامُ‎, romanized: al-’Islām, [ɪsˈlaːm] (listen) "submission [to God]") is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion teaching that Muhammad is a messenger of God. It is the world's second-largest religion with 1.9 billion followers, or 24.9% of the world's population, known as Muslims.

Buddhism (, US: ) is an Indian religion based on a series of original teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha. It originated in ancient India as a Sramana tradition sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, spreading through much of Asia.

A monotheistic religion characterized by the doctrine of absolute submission to God and by reverence for Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God.

A widespread Asian religion or philosophy, founded by Siddartha Gautama in north-eastern India in the 5th century BC.

The people or nations that practice Islam; the Muslim world.

The teaching of Siddhartha Gautama that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct, wisdom, and meditation releases one from desire, suffering, and rebirth.

The civilization developed by the Muslim world.

The religion represented by the many groups, especially numerous in Asia, that profess varying forms of this doctrine and that venerate Siddhartha Gautama.

The religion of the Mohammedans; Mohammedanism; Islamism. Their formula of faith is: There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.

The religion based upon the doctrine originally taught by the Hindu sage Gautama Siddartha, surnamed Buddha, "the awakened or enlightened," in the sixth century b. c., and adopted as a religion by the greater part of the inhabitants of Central and Eastern Asia and the Indian Islands. Buddha's teaching is believed to have been atheistic; yet it was characterized by elevated humanity and morality. It presents release from existence (a beatific enfranchisement, Nirvâna) as the greatest good. Buddhists believe in transmigration of souls through all phases and forms of life. Their number was estimated in 1881 at 470,000,000.

The whole body of Mohammedans, or the countries which they occupy.

A religion represented by the many groups (especially in Asia) that profess various forms of the Buddhist doctrine and that venerate Buddha

The religion of Muslims collectively which governs their civilization and way of life; the predominant religion of northern Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and Indonesia

The teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth

The monotheistic religion of Muslims founded in Arabia in the 7th century and based on the teachings of Muhammad as laid down in the Koran;

Yes, Buddhism and Islam can and do coexist in various parts of the world, though their core beliefs and practices differ significantly.

Muslims believe in a definitive afterlife where individuals are judged by Allah and rewarded with paradise or punished with hell based on their life’s deeds.

Buddhism emphasizes personal spiritual growth, the practice of meditation, ethical living, and the attainment of Enlightenment.

The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to achieve Nirvana, which is the liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.

Islam acknowledges suffering as a part of human life, often viewed as a test from God; enduring suffering with patience is seen as meritorious and a means to erase sins. Buddhism centers its teachings around the concept of suffering, identifying its causes, and offering a path (the Eightfold Path) to alleviate and ultimately end suffering through Enlightenment.

In Islam, rituals such as the daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca are central to religious life and are seen as expressions of devotion to God. In Buddhism, rituals can vary widely but often include chanting, meditation, and monastic rituals, serving as methods to cultivate discipline, mindfulness, and spiritual awareness.

In Islam, prayer (Salat) is a formal, structured activity performed five times a day facing Mecca, involving specific physical postures and recitations. In Buddhism, prayer may involve meditation, chanting, or mindfulness practices, focusing on personal enlightenment and mental clarity rather than formalized worship.

In Islam, spiritual progress is achieved through obedience to Allah’s commandments, regular prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage, which deepen one's faith and piety. In Buddhism, spiritual progress is achieved through meditation, understanding and applying the teachings of the Buddha, and ethical living, aiming to attain deeper insight and ultimately Enlightenment.

Islam teaches peace but also allows self-defense and, under strict conditions, warfare in defense of faith and community. However, the overall emphasis is on peace and justice. Buddhism generally promotes non-violence (ahimsa) as a core principle, advocating for peace and the resolution of conflict through compassion and understanding.

In Islam, religious leaders such as imams and scholars play important roles in interpreting the Quran and Hadith, leading prayers and providing spiritual guidance. In Buddhism, monks and nuns, as well as lay teachers, guide practitioners in meditation and ethical living, although they do not serve as intermediaries between the individual and divinity as in Islam.

The central belief of Islam is the worship of one God, Allah, and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

In Islam, the Quran is the central religious text, considered the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad, and it is followed explicitly. Buddhism relies on a variety of texts, the most important being the Tripitaka, which records the Buddha’s sayings, but interpretations and emphasis can vary widely among different Buddhist traditions.

In Islam, charity is a fundamental aspect of faith, required as one of the Five Pillars (Zakat), and is directed towards helping those in need within the community. In Buddhism, while not mandated as a formal requirement, acts of generosity (dana) are highly encouraged as they cultivate detachment from materialism and benefit the community.

Islam recognizes the validity of earlier Abrahamic religions (Christianity and Judaism) as sharing a common heritage but sees itself as the final and most complete revelation. Buddhism typically exhibits a more inclusive attitude, viewing all religions as potential paths to spiritual wisdom, although it emphasizes its own path to Enlightenment as unique and effective.

Islam has specific dietary laws, including prohibitions against consuming alcohol and pork, and mandates halal slaughtering practices. Buddhism generally promotes vegetarianism or a diet that minimizes harm to living beings, although not all Buddhists are vegetarians, and practices can vary.