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Jesus and Muhammad: Profound Differences and Surprising Similarities
Finally, the truth...about Jesus and Muhammad This provocative book presents a factual analysis of the two most influential men of all time-Jesus, the founder of Christianity, with 2 billion adherents, and Muhammad, the founder of Islam, with 1.3 billion followers. Dr. Mark A. Gabriel allows you to walk side by side with Jesus and Muhammad from their births to their deaths. You will discover that both were prophesied over as children, endorsed by their cousins, rejected by their hometowns, and assisted by twelve disciples. With an understanding of their biographies, you are prepared to compare their teachings, including: •How they described themselves •How they responded to challenges from Jews •The healings and miracles they performed •Guidelines for acceptable prayer •When to fight an enemy •What they taught about women Dr. Gabriel's balanced historical comparison will shatter false images and give you new insight into the influence of Jesus and Muhammad in the world today.
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 29, 2004
57 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Mark A. Gabriel
22 books31 followersDr. Mark Gabriel was born and raised in Egypt in an Islamic family. By the age of 12, Dr. Gabriel had the entire Quran memorized. He graduated from Al-Azhar University in Cairo and then became a professor of Islamic history at that university. He also served as the Imam (spiritual leader) of a mosque in Giza, where the pyramids are located.
In short, Dr. Gabriel was a highly prestigious figure in the Islamic world when one day he dared to question the authenticity of the Quran. That evening he was kidnapped by the Egyptian secret police and thrown in prison where he was tortured unmercifully for days due to questioning his religion. Miraculously, just as he was about to be executed, he was delivered from the prison by a relative with political connections.
During the next year while unemployed and living with his parents, Dr. Gabriel met a Christian pharmacist who gave him a Bible. That Bible led him to Jesus, and when he read the Sermon on the Mount, he decided to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. When his father discovered that Mark had become a Christian, he tried to kill him. Running for his life, Dr. Gabriel fled to South Africa where assassins were sent to kill him. Finally he fled to the United States where he was granted religious asylum.
Today Dr. Mark Gabriel is a Christian evangelist. He is also spreading the truth about Islam. He is the author of several books, including a best-seller entitled Islam and Terrorism. He has been asked by powerful governments as an adviser. He also travels the world to speak in churches, conferences and teaching in bible schools on many different topics such as, the Christian perspective on Islam, how to reach Muslems for Christ, Middle East affairs, world religions, end of time according to Islam and Christianity and the role of women in Islam and Christianity.
http://www.drmarkgabriel.com/about.html
In short, Dr. Gabriel was a highly prestigious figure in the Islamic world when one day he dared to question the authenticity of the Quran. That evening he was kidnapped by the Egyptian secret police and thrown in prison where he was tortured unmercifully for days due to questioning his religion. Miraculously, just as he was about to be executed, he was delivered from the prison by a relative with political connections.
During the next year while unemployed and living with his parents, Dr. Gabriel met a Christian pharmacist who gave him a Bible. That Bible led him to Jesus, and when he read the Sermon on the Mount, he decided to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. When his father discovered that Mark had become a Christian, he tried to kill him. Running for his life, Dr. Gabriel fled to South Africa where assassins were sent to kill him. Finally he fled to the United States where he was granted religious asylum.
Today Dr. Mark Gabriel is a Christian evangelist. He is also spreading the truth about Islam. He is the author of several books, including a best-seller entitled Islam and Terrorism. He has been asked by powerful governments as an adviser. He also travels the world to speak in churches, conferences and teaching in bible schools on many different topics such as, the Christian perspective on Islam, how to reach Muslems for Christ, Middle East affairs, world religions, end of time according to Islam and Christianity and the role of women in Islam and Christianity.
http://www.drmarkgabriel.com/about.html
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 12, 2008
this book should be titled:
'why jesus is superior to muhammad in every way: one man's spiritual journey', had that been the title i may have given it four stars instead.
this book is written by a very intelligent former Muslim. as a child this man had memorized the entire koran!
this book documents his life as a muslim and his conversion to Christianity.
The book was fascinating and i read it in only a few sittings. It was full of interesting information both about Muhammad and Islamic society, particularly in Egypt, where the author was raised.
While most of his criticisms about Muhammad and Islam are valid, and paint a clear portrait of why someone in his situation would wish to not be associated with Islam, (for example, when he told his father he had become a Christian, his father immediately pulled out a pistol and shot him five times) i feel the book is misleading.
If one looks over the book, reads the summary, even reads the introduction, they will expect, as did i, that this book will be a scholarly and unbiased comparison of the world's two most influential prophets, but this is not the case at all. It is one man's spiritual journey. documenting his disaffection with Islam and subsequent affiliation with Christianity. Had i known this was the true content of the book, i may not have been as eager to have picked it up, but would have been more sympathetic to the author's presentation.
The author takes a very rigorous and academic look at Islam. which was very refreshing and illuminating. Today it is often not popular for an academic to criticize islamic culture and the koran. Especially interesting to hear these criticisms from someone who had been intimately apart of the culture and is highly intelligent.
However, when it came to Christianity, he put his critical examination skills aside and made no attempt to reveal any flaw Christianity may have. He would spend pages defending a biblical passage, while quickly criticizing and dismissing something from the koran without even showing the verse in conext.
To summarize, if you are looking for a true, objective comparison of Muhammad and Jesus, this book is not it. If you want the spiritual memoir of a former Muslim turned Christian, or are looking for reasons to think of Christianity as superior to islam
then this book is for you.
'why jesus is superior to muhammad in every way: one man's spiritual journey', had that been the title i may have given it four stars instead.
this book is written by a very intelligent former Muslim. as a child this man had memorized the entire koran!
this book documents his life as a muslim and his conversion to Christianity.
The book was fascinating and i read it in only a few sittings. It was full of interesting information both about Muhammad and Islamic society, particularly in Egypt, where the author was raised.
While most of his criticisms about Muhammad and Islam are valid, and paint a clear portrait of why someone in his situation would wish to not be associated with Islam, (for example, when he told his father he had become a Christian, his father immediately pulled out a pistol and shot him five times) i feel the book is misleading.
If one looks over the book, reads the summary, even reads the introduction, they will expect, as did i, that this book will be a scholarly and unbiased comparison of the world's two most influential prophets, but this is not the case at all. It is one man's spiritual journey. documenting his disaffection with Islam and subsequent affiliation with Christianity. Had i known this was the true content of the book, i may not have been as eager to have picked it up, but would have been more sympathetic to the author's presentation.
The author takes a very rigorous and academic look at Islam. which was very refreshing and illuminating. Today it is often not popular for an academic to criticize islamic culture and the koran. Especially interesting to hear these criticisms from someone who had been intimately apart of the culture and is highly intelligent.
However, when it came to Christianity, he put his critical examination skills aside and made no attempt to reveal any flaw Christianity may have. He would spend pages defending a biblical passage, while quickly criticizing and dismissing something from the koran without even showing the verse in conext.
To summarize, if you are looking for a true, objective comparison of Muhammad and Jesus, this book is not it. If you want the spiritual memoir of a former Muslim turned Christian, or are looking for reasons to think of Christianity as superior to islam
then this book is for you.
August 14, 2013
Plain and simple, If your going to go into this book expecting something, you have already failed. Open your mind, take no criticism to what you read, and use this as the journey of One mans travel through faith and Religion, something the world has lost its ability to see is two different things completely.
Read the introduction so you can understand why this mans Journey started, and read the conclusion to see why its where its at. I am a man looking for Truth in Life. I believe in Jesus without a doubt. Jesus however taught us to love and be open minded. I hope those reading this are just that, regardless of what your religion choice is.
Read the introduction so you can understand why this mans Journey started, and read the conclusion to see why its where its at. I am a man looking for Truth in Life. I believe in Jesus without a doubt. Jesus however taught us to love and be open minded. I hope those reading this are just that, regardless of what your religion choice is.
September 22, 2011
Very misleading title and introduction - it is extremely biased and un-scholarly.
The way the book is written makes me wonder about the author's PhD credentials. This does not read like a scholarly research, but as a guidance for missionaries about ways to sow doubts about Islam, while glossing over any imperfections in Christianity.
Muslims killed four million Egyptians when taking over the country the author says in one sentence and switches to another topic. Any evidence of this? Is this how Arabian tribes united the territory from Portugal to India and cherished sciences that saved Europe from the Dark Ages?
Which place was safer for Jews - Islamic countries or Europe during the Middle Ages? If Islam is so intolerant why would Jerusalem be kept open to Jews and Christians both before and after the Crusades?
Mark Gabriel is unhappy with Islam's requirement of five prayers a day and says the Bible recommends praying at home, away from the public, when you like and how often you like. Sounds just like a call to secretly convert to Christianity while praying in one's room. Then what are church sermons for? Is there a need in billions-of-dollars-worth church organizations? We never learn his views on this because he reserves all his criticism for Islam.
Typically for this book he creates an idealised image of Christianity and fails to square it with the reality.
He said he was unhappy with Islam's teachings for many years and asked many questions which other scholars could not answer. How could he graduate from the most prominent Islamic university, raise through the ranks of scholars, defend a thesis and teach students with those doubts? Did not his writing and speech give away his thoughts over this period?
But when it comes to Christianity he said he converted in one night after reading several passages from the Bible. He does not ask any questions of Christianity, never doubts a word of the Bible, forgets about differences between Gospels and basically says he is ready to risk his own life, the lives of the people he loves just to shout about his conversion from the rooftops.
As you can see I have doubts about the author. Is he really who he says he is?
The way the book is written makes me wonder about the author's PhD credentials. This does not read like a scholarly research, but as a guidance for missionaries about ways to sow doubts about Islam, while glossing over any imperfections in Christianity.
Muslims killed four million Egyptians when taking over the country the author says in one sentence and switches to another topic. Any evidence of this? Is this how Arabian tribes united the territory from Portugal to India and cherished sciences that saved Europe from the Dark Ages?
Which place was safer for Jews - Islamic countries or Europe during the Middle Ages? If Islam is so intolerant why would Jerusalem be kept open to Jews and Christians both before and after the Crusades?
Mark Gabriel is unhappy with Islam's requirement of five prayers a day and says the Bible recommends praying at home, away from the public, when you like and how often you like. Sounds just like a call to secretly convert to Christianity while praying in one's room. Then what are church sermons for? Is there a need in billions-of-dollars-worth church organizations? We never learn his views on this because he reserves all his criticism for Islam.
Typically for this book he creates an idealised image of Christianity and fails to square it with the reality.
He said he was unhappy with Islam's teachings for many years and asked many questions which other scholars could not answer. How could he graduate from the most prominent Islamic university, raise through the ranks of scholars, defend a thesis and teach students with those doubts? Did not his writing and speech give away his thoughts over this period?
But when it comes to Christianity he said he converted in one night after reading several passages from the Bible. He does not ask any questions of Christianity, never doubts a word of the Bible, forgets about differences between Gospels and basically says he is ready to risk his own life, the lives of the people he loves just to shout about his conversion from the rooftops.
As you can see I have doubts about the author. Is he really who he says he is?
September 1, 2015
I read this book really fast. (3 days). It really had my attention.
I wish every Muslim would read this book. They don't have to believe its content right away - but it will give them some areas to start researching Islam and Christianity.
I think this book is way too short. To fully explore this topic you would need another 10,000 pages. But then the price would go up.
I will sum this book up:
Jesus was very nice
Muhammad was nasty
The End.
I wish every Muslim would read this book. They don't have to believe its content right away - but it will give them some areas to start researching Islam and Christianity.
I think this book is way too short. To fully explore this topic you would need another 10,000 pages. But then the price would go up.
I will sum this book up:
Jesus was very nice
Muhammad was nasty
The End.
January 9, 2011
Mr. Gabriel brings up some very good criticisms of some Muslim cultures--they are very threatened by Christians in their midst and resort to violence to protect their way of life.
However, after reading the Quran, it is clear that some of his claims--such as the idea that Muhammad advocated violence--are not a product of the faith itself but of some of its misguided followers.
However, after reading the Quran, it is clear that some of his claims--such as the idea that Muhammad advocated violence--are not a product of the faith itself but of some of its misguided followers.
April 21, 2013
I loved the book! I think the author put some very important issues on the tabe of discussion according to the most 2 important and influencial persons in the history of humanity, he took passages from their books and he took their lives as the evidence of what they were preaching.... He resumed it with a few specific issues which I presume they were his most troubled ones. He wrote this personal research through his own spiritual struggle which makes it legitimate.
April 10, 2023
I’ve come back years later - after reading this book again I’ll have to give it 5 stars. It takes so much bravery to be vocal about leaving Islam, as it can get you murdered. I think this book is incredibly important, interesting and powerful.
January 7, 2017
Out of interest I read the bible and I read the Quran as well. Then I stumbled upon this book in the library and gave it a go.
All in all I think it does a fair job of representing the person of Jesus and Muhammad, not their followers, not the faith based on it, not the actions of (their) god, but just the figures as described in their holy texts. Sometimes you have to weed out the authors own preference though, which is quite obvious.
I also thought he left out some information, for ex letters by Paul. When speaking about marriage it has had a massive impact that lessens Jesus' very progressive stance. But since the letters don't attribute words to Jesus (unlike the haddiths for Muhammad) and the book is about Jesus and Muhammad I understand why they aren't mentioned too. However it also goes to show how different the religion that came after Jesus has been from his message.
All in all I think it does a fair job of representing the person of Jesus and Muhammad, not their followers, not the faith based on it, not the actions of (their) god, but just the figures as described in their holy texts. Sometimes you have to weed out the authors own preference though, which is quite obvious.
I also thought he left out some information, for ex letters by Paul. When speaking about marriage it has had a massive impact that lessens Jesus' very progressive stance. But since the letters don't attribute words to Jesus (unlike the haddiths for Muhammad) and the book is about Jesus and Muhammad I understand why they aren't mentioned too. However it also goes to show how different the religion that came after Jesus has been from his message.
September 7, 2014
Fascinating book. This book does two things. First, It tells the story of an Egyptian Muslim scholar (taught at prestigious Islamic university) who came to meet Jesus in the New Testament. Second, he attempts to show us what he experienced when he first read the Gospels and 'saw' Jesus side by side with Muhammed. He starts his book by telling the reader if they want to understand Islam and Christianity they must look at their 'founders.' This is a very good resource for anyone who is trying to learn more about the difference between these two faiths.
October 22, 2014
Although written by a Christian, this book gave me a really wonderful appreciation for devout Muslims' beliefs, and most especially for the need to pray that Christians will share the gospel winsomely with Muslims. The author's testimony is really compelling. I think I need this book as a reference book on our bookshelf!
June 22, 2011
This book doesn't really stand alone, but makes inspires one to re-read the Quran and New Testament. *Or it should, I wouldn't take Dr. Gabriel's words at face value.
March 31, 2023
I love how the writer simply gives you information and his own testimony. He left it to the readers to make conclusions for themselves.
Another book that shows what a good Father He is.
Another book that shows what a good Father He is.
June 20, 2013
For a Christian who knows next to nothing about the history and teachings of Islam, this book provided a relatively smooth transition into the subject. The author has unique perspectives on both figures, since he has exposure to and practice in both religions (grew up as a devout Muslim, earned a doctorate in Islamic studies and taught at Al-Azhar University, but later became a practicing Christian with a master's in world religion and a PhD in Christian education). His personal story and his side-by-side comparison of Jesus and Muhammad truly reveal their "profound differences and surprising similarities." However, from this reading, the fundamental differences far outweigh superficial similarities.
There is definitely more to say about this topic, and the author admits that he could have elaborated and added more. Had he done so, perhaps I would have rated this higher.
At any rate, this is a fine read for anyone looking for an introduction or review of both characters.
There is definitely more to say about this topic, and the author admits that he could have elaborated and added more. Had he done so, perhaps I would have rated this higher.
At any rate, this is a fine read for anyone looking for an introduction or review of both characters.
November 15, 2011
Mark Gabriel outlines his experience as he defects from his native religion of Islam, instead turning to Christianity. His personally story is quite frightening, as he discusses abuses he suffered after, once being a minister and teacher of his old religion, turning away from Islam. His book goes on to compare and contrast the polarizing figures of Christianity's Jesus, and Islam's Muhammed. This book is recommended for those looking to obtain one individual's ideas of Islam in comparison to Christianity. Because the book is of a religious nature, it is obviously not recommended to all, especially those easily offended by conversation of religion.
August 19, 2014
An immature view...written by a person who suffered and left his roots without time to go deeper and reconcile and find his way within his own faith community. Time will tell.
It reminds me of other conversion stories of immature suffering people (J.-M. E. Setbon) who need to grow and then they something good and new, but do not see or find Guidance, nor enough of the light available in their own tradition. Gratitude for our Roots is essential to our maturing process.
The reason I read it is that a friend of mine who NEVER reads books, read this book and liked it. Now I have to accompany her...
There are good references to authentic books on Islam and chronology
It reminds me of other conversion stories of immature suffering people (J.-M. E. Setbon) who need to grow and then they something good and new, but do not see or find Guidance, nor enough of the light available in their own tradition. Gratitude for our Roots is essential to our maturing process.
The reason I read it is that a friend of mine who NEVER reads books, read this book and liked it. Now I have to accompany her...
There are good references to authentic books on Islam and chronology
November 12, 2013
After being brought up as a devout and learned Muslim, the author began to look at the teachings of Jesus and compare him with Muhammed's while a professor at the most prestigious Islamic university in the world (Al-Azhar University in Cairo).
Researched and referenced throughout, Gabriel dissects the lives, teachings, claims, deaths, and followers of each, then explores the impact from a world perspective as well as his own personal journey of discovery. I found it to be objective, very informative, and enlightening. Highly recommended!
Researched and referenced throughout, Gabriel dissects the lives, teachings, claims, deaths, and followers of each, then explores the impact from a world perspective as well as his own personal journey of discovery. I found it to be objective, very informative, and enlightening. Highly recommended!
February 16, 2016
loved the book. this is the first time I read a very well searched and written book about the Muslim faith compared to the Christian faith. I can tell this ex Muslim still had a lot of love for the Muslims yet at the same time wants to really convince, testify, witness to those he knows so well. what a difficult position he must be in. I pray for the man's safety and yet I praise the lord for his being in the kingdom of light now. the book is exceptional
February 21, 2016
This book opened my eyes to the similarities that span between Jesus, and Muhammed. However, what was even more impactful was how the differences between the two leaders shows up in their teachings. Gabriel does a great job of pointing to the facts. My favorite concept that he points to comes in the idea that we cannot judge a group based off the people that are in it. But we must judge the validity of that group by looking to their leader. Very cool and definitely a great read.
July 28, 2008
A book that examines the history and lives of Muhammad and Jesus. Very thought research, clearly laid out and easy to understand. It has a distinct point of view, but I believe the research is fair and even handed.
May 20, 2009
Informative and Honest. Great book for anyone wanting to know more about what makes the east and west different. Also great for any non Muslims looking to find out more about Islam; this book is a great starting point.
June 2, 2009
In a world where there is more fear born from misunderstanding than love born from understanding one another, this book is a welcome invitation for Christians to understand the life of Muhammad as written by a former devout Muslim.
June 11, 2017
I read this for an overview of Islam, and I got it. Excellent. In all the reading I've done to try to understand Islam, this is my first success. Simple, straightforward sentences. Not a lot of theology. Written by a real Muslim who grew up with it.
March 27, 2008
I found this book in the Biography section and brought it straight home. It is very uncommon for someone deep into Islamic teachings to give an unbiased view towards it.
And I'm not disappointed.
And I'm not disappointed.
January 16, 2009
Very good work.
February 22, 2009
The similarities are surprising but the differences in these individuals is what separates their beliefs and their teachings. A good read if you want to know more about Christianity and Islam.
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November 7, 2009i m very interesting about this book...
July 12, 2010
I thought it would be dry and scholarly but this was really informative and very interesting!
May 31, 2011
nice and interesting..
January 3, 2014
I know the Bible, but I don't know much about Islam. This book helps me to know some about Islam and why muslims behave the way they do.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews