Before discussing whether Islam and Christianity can coexist, it is essential to understand that the two religions have the same foundation. Both undoubtedly come from the same source, but some changes made by humans have led to a great deal of conflicts and misunderstandings during the course of history. In order to understand the commonalities of the world’s two largest belief systems, you should realize that God sent His messengers at different times, to different places to guide mankind to believe in the Unity and Oneness of God.
Different Messengers and Prophets came, and among them, we have Prophet Jesus and Prophet Moses and many more. However, the line of prophets continued till Prophet Muhammad, who Muslims believe to be the last of all prophets, or the Seal of Prophets. He also guided humanity towards the right path, that is the path of God, and brought the same message of unity that was taught by his predecessors. The purpose of sending different prophets after intervals, with the same message, was that people used to forget the teachings of God and they would deviate from the right path.
Muslims believe the line of prophets ended with Prophet Mohammad. He brought with him the ultimate religion, and it was compulsory for Christians ( followers of Prophet Jesus) and Jews (followers of Prophet Moses) to believe in Prophet Mohammad as the last messenger and follow his teachings. This means that there is no place for Christianity after teh advent of Islam because Islam is the ultimate religion, and it is compulsory for every Christian and Jew to follow the last prophet as they were guided in their respective Holy Books. Therefore, if we look at it from a religious point of view, there is no chance for the existence of Christianity after Islam.
However, the true message of Prophet Jesus was known to be altered by the followers and the beliefs of Christians today is different from the beliefs taught to them by their Prophet. Therefore, now if we look at the two communities being able to live together, there exists a possibility to live together in peace, if both communities forget the differences of religious beliefs and sign agreements to live together harmoniously. One should always think positively. Looking back into history, we can witness Islam and Christianity surviving together in peace under the Ottoman rule.
Although some would say that religious differences between Christians and Muslims can never allow them to live together in peace, others would argue that they can coexist peacefully if they follow particular terms and conditions. Looking back into Islamic history, we can see that during the reigns of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and many Muslim rulers after them, Christians were given complete rights of their lives, properties and religious beliefs, which encouraged them to live in peace with Muslims.
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