Comparison helps readers see where the Abrahamic traditions agree and where they part ways. It works best when each tradition is described in its own terms before any contrast is drawn.
God
All three traditions affirm one God, creator of the world. Judaism expresses this in the Shema. Christianity affirms one God in three persons. Islam’s doctrine of tawḥīd (توحيد, oneness) stresses God’s absolute unity and rejects any partner to God. Jewish and Muslim theologians have long recognised how closely their understandings of divine unity align, and medieval thinkers in both traditions developed their arguments in conversation with each other. See How the Abrahamic Religions Understand Monotheism.
Revelation and scripture
Judaism receives the Torah as revelation given at Sinai and interpreted through an ongoing oral tradition. Christianity sees the fullest revelation in the person of Jesus, witnessed by the scriptures. Islam regards the Qur’an as God’s own speech, revealed to Muhammad in Arabic and transmitted both in writing and through the memory of many reciters in every generation.
Prophets
The Hebrew Bible describes a line of prophets from Moses to Malachi. Christianity sees prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. Islam recognises many biblical prophets and holds that Muhammad is the last of them.
Law and practice
Judaism and Islam are both religions of detailed law, halakhah and sharīʿah (شريعة, the path), developed by scholars through interpretation. Most Christian churches teach that believers are not bound by the ritual law of the Torah and place worship in sacraments and liturgy.
The afterlife
All three traditions teach a final judgement and life beyond death, though they describe it differently. Jewish thought has held a range of views about the world to come and the resurrection of the dead. Christianity and Islam both teach bodily resurrection, judgement, and eternal reward or loss.
The front page offers a side-by-side comparison table.