There is a profound and undeniable difference between the early years of Islam and Christianity, particularly when comparing the lives and actions of their founders—Jesus Christ and Muhammad. These differences are not just historical facts; they have deep spiritual and moral implications for how each religion shapes its followers, its culture, and its vision of God.
Jesus Christ: A Life of Love, Mercy, and Sacrifice
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a life completely free of violence. He never raised a sword, never ordered a killing, and never led an army or ruled a city. Instead, He healed the sick (Matthew 8:16–17), fed the hungry (Matthew 14:13–21), forgave sinners (John 8:10–11), and taught His followers to "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you" (Matthew 5:44). He rebuked violence even in His own defense, telling Peter, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52).
Jesus willingly submitted to death on the cross, not as a victim of political defeat, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), and His message was one of peace, grace, and salvation through the love and mercy of God (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8–9).
Muhammad: A Life of War, Conquest, and Theocracy
In sharp contrast, Muhammad’s life was marked by warfare, political conquest, and coercion. According to Islamic sources such as Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the Sirat Rasul Allah by Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad personally led or commanded at least 27 military expeditions (ghazawat), including offensive raids and battles such as Badr, Uhud, the Battle of the Trench, and the conquest of Mecca.
Muhammad ordered assassinations of critics, including poets such as Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf (Sahih al-Bukhari 4037), and condoned the beheading of hundreds of Jewish men from the Banu Qurayza tribe after their surrender (Ibn Ishaq, pp. 461–464; al-Tabari, vol. 8, pp. 35–36). He allowed and participated in the taking of women and children as slaves (Sahih Muslim 3371) and took concubines from among the captives (e.g., Safiyyah bint Huyayy, Sahih Muslim 1365).
Muhammad established a theocratic state in Medina where religious dissent was punishable, and Islamic law governed all aspects of life. Faith was often spread not only through preaching but also through military expansion and dhimmi systems that enforced second-class status for non-Muslims (Qur'an 9:29).
Why This Difference Matters
These stark differences between Christ and Muhammad are not trivial—they reflect the nature of the faiths they founded. Christianity, rooted in the teachings and sacrifice of Jesus, produces a spiritual transformation based on love, humility, and forgiveness. Islam, founded on the example of Muhammad, often reflects political power, legalism, and conquest.
A religion founded by a man who forgave His enemies from the cross (Luke 23:34) will lead to peace and redemption. A religion founded by a man who used the sword to silence opposition and establish dominance inevitably perpetuates systems of coercion. This is not merely a critique of history—it is a call to truth.
As Christians, we follow the Prince of Peace—not a warlord. The Spirit of Christ brings life, liberty, and salvation—not fear, subjugation, or bloodshed. The lives of Jesus and Muhammad could not be more different—and that difference defines the destinies of their followers.
Citations
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The Holy Bible, Matthew 5:44; Matthew 26:52; John 8:10–11; John 18:36; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8–9.
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Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4037.
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Sahih Muslim, Hadith 3371, 1365.
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Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah, trans. A. Guillaume, Oxford University Press, pp. 461–464.
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Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings, Volume 8, trans. Michael Fishbein, SUNY Press, pp. 35–36.
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The Qur’an, Surah 9:29, Sahih International.
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