Muslims and Christians both speak about God—the one who created us.
(Allah is simply the Arabic word for “God”.)
But what they say about him is very different.
We see that very clearly in what their holy books claim is God’s attitude to the wicked.
The Qur’an (Surah 3:57):*
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ٥٧
As to those who believe and work righteousness God will pay them (in full) their reward; but God loveth not those who do wrong.
The Bible (Romans 5:8):
συνίστησιν δὲ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀγάπην εἰς ἡμᾶς ὁ θεός, ὅτι ἔτι ἁμαρτωλῶν ὄντων ἡμῶν Χριστὸς ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἀπέθανεν.
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Qur’an says Allah does not love wrongdoers.
The Bible says God loved us while we were still sinners.
Here, then, is the difference:
A Muslim hopes Allah will love them.
A Christian knows God loves them even though they are bad.
What do you make of that difference?
God loves all people.
Not after they change, but even while they are still sinners.
Not just some people, but even the wicked.
He has chosen to be in a good mood with them in Christ.
You don’t see that in the Qur’an.
You only see it when you look at the cross of Jesus.
If you want to hear more, listen to this sermon: Is God Angry with Me?
Or join us Sundays in Manchester, Wednesdays online.
* Qur’an quotation is the original Arabic with A. Yusuf Ali English translation.
Bible quotation is the original Greek with the ESV English translation.
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