It is so easy to look at modern problems and conflicts through a lens that assumes they are isolated to this time and culture. But for some conflicts, their histories stretch generations before us and create levels of complexity that we cannot ignore.

This is the case when it comes to the conflict that Islam has with Judaism. As we hear reports about the loss and heartache in the Holy Land, it is easy to look at what we know now, what is happening now, and how that impacts us now.

The conflict Islam has with Judaism goes back to the seventh century when Islam began. We went into this complex history in a previous blog, but there’s an important part we have not covered yet: how Muhammad copied many Jewish practices in an attempt to gain the favor of the rich Jewish tribes of his day.

Let’s look at a simple breakdown so we can better understand the Islamic religious practices that have connections to Judaism. 

1. The special day of worship

Friday is the sacred day of the week for Muslims. All able Muslim men are required to attend the noon prayer at the mosque and hear the special Friday Khutbah (sermon). It is important to note that women are not required to attend the mosque, but instead are told their prayers are more acceptable to Allah if done at home.

Muhammad noticed that Christians had Sunday and Jews had Saturday as their sacred days in the Arabian Peninsula. In the Arab world in the seventh century, it was well known that Jews had specific rules and guidelines for the Sabbath, so Muhammad decided to make a new version of this for Islam.

Friday, which in Arabic means “the day of gathering” was the day of the marketplace where Arabs gathered from all the surrounding towns and tribes. It was easier for Muhammad to use this day to bring Muslims together. So he chose Friday to be the worship day for Muslims. He affirmed it through a message from Allah to him where Allah orders Muslims to pray on Friday and then go do trading and purchases!

“O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed diligently to the remembrance of Allah and leave off your business. That is best for you, if only you knew. Once the prayer is over, disperse throughout the land and seek the bounty of Allah. And remember Allah often so you may be successful.” Quran 62:9-10 

Muhammad added in one of the Hadiths the reasons Friday is the best day of the week. The Hadith, which was compiled several hundred years after the time of Muhammad, claimed it to be the best day of the week for several reasons:

“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created. on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it. And the last hour will take place on no day other than Friday.”  (Hadith Sahih Muslim Book 4, Number 1857).

2. Reminders to pray

In the Arabian Peninsula, Christians were known to use bells and Jews used horns to signal when it was time to pray. It is recorded that when Muhammad brought his new religion to the city of Medina, they discussed how they could do something similar:

“Some people suggested the use of a bell like the Christians, others proposed a trumpet like the horn used by the Jews, but 'Umar was the first to suggest that a man should call (the people) for the prayer; so Allah's Apostle ordered Bilal to get up and pronounce the Adhan for prayers.” Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 222

3. Dietary restrictions

Jews were given a very particular diet in the Old Testament, now called “kosher.” Interestingly enough, Islam has a very similar list of requirements for food to be considered “halal,” which means allowed by Allah.

There are specific foods in Islam that are “haram,” not permitted by Allah, that interestingly coincide with many foods that are not allowed in the kosher diet. These include pork, blood, roadkill, shellfish, and food sacrificed to idols.

4. Day of Ashura

In a particular hadith, we see a direct outline of how Muhammad took a day of fasting from the Jews and made it an Islamic day of commemoration:

“The Prophet came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, "This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day." The Prophet said, "We have more claim over Moses than you." So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day).”

Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 546:

So, the main question is why would Muhammad take practices from the Jews? And the answer is simple: He wanted them to believe Allah was the same god they were worshiping.

We know this is not the case! But it shows us a very important dynamic that impacts Islam’s connection to Judaism even today. Islam came along and twisted practices that had been in existence for thousands of years to try to trick people into believing that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had now revealed a new message through a new and final prophet, “Muhammad” whom all should now believe in and follow.

How does this apply to Christians?

As Christ-followers, we need to represent Jesus in everything we do which includes how we respond to modern events. We can best respond to events like what is currently happening in the Holy Land when we have a true understanding of the history behind it.

Most Muslims do not know the true origin and history of Islam, so we do not recommend talking about this with them unless they bring it up. Doing so will put them in a defensive state because they feel you are attacking Islam when you are trying to share the truth. If the conversation does get heated, take a step back and come back to the conversation another time. 

Pray and ask God to open up your Muslim friend’s eyes to the lies of Islam. Pray for them to become hungry for something more, and ask God for the wisdom to know how to talk to them. And above all, do not forget to talk about Jesus no matter what topic you discuss with your Muslim friend!

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20