Islam vs. Yahudi — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
Islam is a monotheistic faith founded by the prophet Muhammad, emphasizing the Quran, while Yahudi (Judaism) is a monotheistic religion rooted in ancient Hebrew traditions, with the Torah as its core text.
Difference Between Islam and Yahudi
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Islam centers around the Quran, believed to be the final revelation of God, with followers adhering to the Five Pillars of faith. Yahudi, or Judaism, follows the teachings of the Torah, emphasizing covenantal relationships between God and the Jewish people.
Islam's practices, including daily prayers and fasting during Ramadan, reflect a commitment to God and community. Judaism focuses on observing commandments in the Torah and celebrates holidays like Passover and Yom Kippur.
Muslims believe Muhammad is the final prophet, while Jewish tradition recognizes figures like Abraham and Moses but does not consider Muhammad a prophet. Instead, it emphasizes a covenant relationship with God through rituals like circumcision.
Islam's sacred places include Mecca and Medina, with mosques as community hubs. Judaism considers Jerusalem a holy city, and synagogues are central to communal worship and study.
Comparison Chart
Core Text
Quran
Torah
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Founding Figure
Muhammad
Abraham, Moses
Central Practices
Five Pillars (e.g., prayer, fasting)
Commandments and rituals from the Torah
Sacred Sites
Mecca, Medina
Jerusalem, synagogues
Prophets
Muhammad as the final prophet
Recognizes biblical prophets, but not Muhammad
Compare with Definitions
Islam
The central religious text of Islam.
Muslims recite verses from the Quran during their daily prayers.
Yahudi
The primary text consisting of the first five books of the Bible.
Jews study the Torah to understand the commandments.
Islam
A place of worship for Muslims.
The local mosque holds services every Friday.
Yahudi
The Jewish house of worship and community.
The synagogue is central to Jewish communal life.
Islam
Islamic legal framework derived from the Quran and Hadith.
Some countries base parts of their legal system on Sharia.
Yahudi
The weekly day of rest and worship.
Shabbat begins every Friday evening at sunset.
Islam
Core practices like fasting, prayer, and pilgrimage.
Observing Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Yahudi
The sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people.
Jews believe the covenant with God is eternal.
Islam
The final prophet in Islam.
Muhammad's teachings are fundamental to Islam's principles.
Yahudi
Foods and practices that adhere to Jewish dietary laws.
Observant Jews only eat meat that is prepared as kosher.
Islam
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.
Yahudi
Yahudi (lit. 'Jew'), is a 1958 Bollywood action drama film directed by Bimal Roy. It starred Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari, Sohrab Modi, Nazir Hussain, Nigar Sultana and others.
Islam
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.
Islam
The people or nations that practice Islam; the Muslim world.
Islam
The civilization developed by the Muslim world.
Islam
The religion of the Mohammedans; Mohammedanism; Islamism. Their formula of faith is: There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.
Islam
The whole body of Mohammedans, or the countries which they occupy.
Islam
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
Islam
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;
The term Muhammadanism is offensive to Muslims who believe that Allah, not Muhammad, founded their religion
Common Curiosities
What holidays are celebrated in Islam and Judaism?
Islam celebrates Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, while Judaism observes Passover, Yom Kippur, and others.
Do Islam and Judaism share common prophets?
Both religions recognize prophets like Abraham and Moses, but only Islam considers Muhammad a prophet.
What are typical religious services in Islam and Judaism?
Islamic services occur mainly in mosques, while Jewish services are held in synagogues.
How does Sharia differ from Jewish law (Halacha)?
Sharia is Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, while Halacha is based on Torah commandments and rabbinic interpretations.
What are the sacred texts of Islam and Judaism?
The Quran is Islam's central text, while the Torah is Judaism's foundational text.
How do Muslims and Jews observe dietary laws?
Muslims follow halal rules, and Jews follow kosher laws.
What is the primary role of Muhammad in Islam?
Muhammad is considered the final prophet who conveyed God's message in the Quran.
Do Islam and Judaism encourage charity?
Yes, Islam emphasizes zakat, and Judaism emphasizes tzedakah, both meaning charity.
What are the places of pilgrimage for Muslims and Jews?
Muslims visit Mecca for Hajj, while Jews visit Jerusalem and the Western Wall.
Are there differences in worship practices?
Muslims pray five times daily, while Jewish worship is centered around Shabbat and synagogue services.
What is the significance of Jerusalem for both religions?
Jerusalem is a holy city for both, featuring the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall.
How do both religions approach conversion?
Islam encourages conversion with the declaration of faith, while Judaism has a more structured, challenging conversion process.
What is a central unifying concept in Islam?
The Five Pillars of faith unify Muslims in practice and belief.
Are Islamic and Jewish prayers conducted differently?
Yes, Islamic prayers involve specific physical postures, while Jewish prayers are more verbal and can include chanting.
How does Judaism emphasize its covenant with God?
Judaism emphasizes the covenant through rituals like circumcision and following commandments.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
