Inter-faith worship? Can Muslims and Christians worship together?

Question

I think it is ok for people of all faiths to pray to God together, so long as it is to God alone (not Jesus or other people/deities). What is the islamic opinion about the matter, and what all you non-muslims think? I mean even in islam we believe that parts of the Bible are revealed by God. And didn't God send messengers to all parts of the world who ultimately started new religions? So i am led to believe that it's ok to do "inter-faith worship, so long as it is within the comfort zone and guidelines of each person's religion (meaning to worship only God).

On a similar note, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) allowed the Christians to use the mosque in madinah for their sunday services, didn't he? Doesn't this indicate that people of all faiths can help one another?

Although the title of my question refers to muslims and christians, this can be for any and all religions. I am, however, a muslim living in a mostly christian society, and i am also a convert

Well, tell me what you think

PS: i know some of you islam-bashers are gonna say we worship something else...you're gonna say we worship a moon god or satan...well open your mind, read about other religions, and become aware of the presence of God in religions outside of christianity. Naturally, people in different places speak different languages, and therefore have different words for God, Allah is one of them.

Rude comments not only make your own religion look bad, but they have no intellectual value.

larry the..got proof?
I see you've read neither book!

JohnC- you too have no evidence

MuslimRose: i remember our imam telling us about it.

Answer 1

I think that it is a great idea and I have seen this happen and work. I live in a regional area in Australia. We have several different religions in the town (and separate churches). However, we also have regular 'interfaith' sessions. They have leaders from several different religions: Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists etc. It is usually when something tragic happens and people need healing (a murder or car accident etc). That way, all people can pray and heal together.

I think that it works really well and leads to further understanding and compassion.

Answer 2

Its nice to see someone being open minded and respecting other people's beliefs.(Doe Eyed). If only more people thought like that instead of being ignorant and xenophobic. Christians and Muslims have a lot more in common than they think. They should stop fighting over who is right and focus on their similarities and how they both worship the same God. I live in a country with both Muslims and Christians, and even though we live together there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding. And to all the people who are confused: Christians worship God, Muslims worship God. Allah is just the Arabic word for it.

Answer 3

Dear doe-eyed,

First let me say while historically Muslims and Christians have struggled to get along over beliefs it is accepted that both groups will not see eye-to-eye on certain essential issues of faith and belief (doctrine).

Because of this both groups have different ideas of who God is. In worship (you are giving God the worth of who He is). So for example as you shared above if Islam only believes parts of the Bible are rue and Jesus is no God well there becomes a problem that can not be reconciled by just avoiding it. It means that people will be worshipping a different God.

i'm not saying that two people of different religions can not be in the same room together but i think the meaning of things is different. And as one who takes his worship seriously i wouldn't want to change my beliefs for the sake of comfort.

True worship can not happen without a true understanding of who God is. And Muslims and Christians do not agree on that.

The ideology is right and i believe in many ways in line with what the Bible teaches in Revelation that from every tribe and every nation will be those who worship the Lord (Muslims and Christians do not agree on that).

People of all faiths can indeed help one another-- but you can not compromise your faith to be more inclusive. God has clearly revealed who He is and what He wants from man in the Bible and that is a standard that can not be changed. To change what a person believes introduces all kinds of false doctrine into a religion (for the sake of tolerance)... that is why you have churches which are operating outside of what God has shown us to be true--- ie: homosexual churches, etc.

Hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 4

Technically, Muslims and Christians could worship together, but they would not be worshipping the same God. The God of the Q'uran is not the God of the Bible. The God of the Bible exists as one God in three co-eternal persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God but He is also the second person of the triune Godhead. Islam does not believe that Jesus is either the Son of God or that He is divine. I think interfaith understanding is vital, but these two faiths do not worship the same God.

Answer 5

If its worship as prayer to thanks is conducted in a field far away from the mosque and church ,"worship together" can be done.But if its worship should be done in a church,all muslims will avoid it and similar treat I think all christians do not want to pray in a mosque.We have a basic differences such as muslims do not treat Yesus as a son of Allah, we treat him only as a prophet.
Muslims treat holy spirit as Gabriel or Jibril angel and do not treat it as holy spirit a part of trinity..We acknowledged that Ishmail the elder son of Abraham and not Isaac who was sacrificed by Abraham as a testing of Allah for Abraham's loyalty.We do not believe Yesus was killed on the crosswood because in holy Qur'an Allah spoke that yesus was saved by Allah. Muslims accepted Bible as a holy book from Allah although many of its verses are false,but christians do not want to accept holy Qur'an as a holy book from Allah and Muhammad pbuh as the last prophet.etc

Answer 6

I don't think it is a good idea, especially in the U.S where we have so many bible versions. Muslims are also more religious than Christians, and Christians do not worship god, they worship Jesus and that is a major difference between the two religions. Finally, Christians do not respect other religions, Muslims respect the true christinan religion were they believe that Jesus is a prophet.

Answer 7

Jesus said that God seek those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. What's the spirit and truth behind Islam that would motivate a Christian to worship side together with him?

Answer 8

Hey have you ever seen oil and water mixing together????That does not mean water is bad and oil is good and vice-versa.Please do not be idealistic but realistic.We are living in an imperfect world with imperfect people So let's learn to respect and love one another the way we are.And if at all one want's to change it's a personal decision!!!Let's not complicate matters.Live and let live.By the way try answering this one---if a cow is put in a garage does it become a car or a scooter????

Answer 9

hi sister,
it is agood that u want to make ppl come to a better understanding , however it is a bit hard to unite , because of the little differences in beliefs , although i wish we become to live harmony one day ,

BUT, i have one comment to make , from where did u get that" the prophet allowed christians to make their sunday cermonies in the mosque of the maddinah, or even any mosque,
i NEVER EVER HEARED ABOUT IT , ???!!!ARE U SURE THAT IT IS TRUE??

peace to all,
good luck,

Answer 10

Yes we are allowed to worship together, we are all the children of Adam and God loves us more when we are in worship.

Worship is not just ritual prayers but fasting and charity giving aswell.