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Both Islam and Christianity exhort men to virtuous deeds and pious life. They condemn falsehood, dishonesty, hypocrisy, injustice, cruelty, pride, ungratefulness, treachery, intemperance, lust, sloth, jealously, selfishness, apathy, hurtful speech, anger and violence.
Both enjoin upon their followers faith and trust in God, repentance, truth, purity, courage, justice, charity, benevolence, sympathy, mercy, self-control, and uprightness. The Chief virtues enjoined by Islam and Christianity alike may be grouped under tow headings. Firstly, those that prevent a man from injuring the life, property and honour of others, such as chastity, honesty, peacefulness, and politeness. Secondly, those that prompt a man to do good to others, such as mercy, forgiveness, truthfulness, courage, patience, sympathy, kindness, and love. Now I shall give a brief summary of the moral teachings of Islam and Christianity in the words of the Scriptures of the two religions.
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CHRISTIANITY
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ISLAM
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Chastity
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"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shall not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after he hath committed adultery with her already in his heart". (Matthew 5:27, 28)
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"And come not near unto adultery (totally abstain from its preliminaries and everything that is likely to lead unto it). Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way". (The Quran 17:32)
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Peacefulness
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"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves". (matthew 5:5)
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"Whosoever killeth a human being... it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and who so saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind". (The Quran 5:32)
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Politeness
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"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgement: and whosoever shall say to his brother. Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:22)
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"Turn not your cheek in scorn and anger towards folk nor walk with pertness in the land, Lo! God loveth not each braggar boaster. Be modest in your bearing and subdue your voice, Lo! the harshest of all voices is the voice of an ass." (The Quran 31:18,19).
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Honesty
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"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's" (Exodus 20:17)
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"Give full measure, and be not of those who give less than the due. And weigh with the true balance. Wrong not mankind in their goods, and do not evil, making mischief in the earth". (The Qur'an 26:181-183)
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Truth and Justice
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"Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour". (Exodus 20:16)
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O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for God in equity, and let not hatred of any people for you seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to God. Lo! God is informed of what ye do". (The Quran 5:8)
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Forgiveness
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"Peter said unto him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, until seventy times seven". (Matthew 18:22)
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"And vie one with another for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who ward off evil; those who spend of that which God hath given them on others, in ease and adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind; God loveth the doers of good to others". (The Quran 3:134)
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Source :
Islam and Christianity by Mrs. Ulfat Aziz-us-Samad
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