Jesus and Muhammad: Their Messages, Side-by-Side

For anyone who has had an interest in learning about Islam, comparing it to the teachings of Jesus, this book is of great value. Thoroughly researched, well organized via topics, this book is a surprisingly easy read for a scholarly and comprehensive work on this subject. The introduction, life stories, and timelines of Jesus and Muhammad, found in the beginning of the book, provide the necessary background to the side by side comparisons that come next. The appendices in the back of the book aided by tables and charts provide more information on the timeline and development of these two religious movements as well as the basic doctrine of each.A big book, 500 plus pages, this book covers the subject very well in a user friendly manner.

This important book is packed with vital information, yet is so easy to read! As eye-opening as the parallel sayings are, my favorite part is the front matter. The book begins with brilliantly simple, yet thorough and historically accurate charts, bullet lists, etc. This makes it easy to perceive the significant differences between the characters and lifestyles of Jesus and Muhammad. This is crucially important, because the followers of any religion take the founder as their model. The more devout a believer becomes, the more they imitate the founder's behavior (e.g. check out what people thought of Muhammad and Jesus when the two were children). The front matter is so well-written that absorbing the main points about these two lives is fascinating and nearly effortless.The author's scholarship is evident throughout the book. There are copious footnotes, a good index, glossary, appendix, etc. The glossaries for each religion were especially interesting, for example, the two definitions of "Trinity" were surprisingly different.St. Michael's neutral approach to his topic is entirely unprecedented. This unique reference book is a valuable resource for a time in which a true understanding of both religions is especially urgent.Susan F. Davisson, M.S.

The author did an amazing job. He compiled all the massages topic wise which I have found amazing. However, there are some guidelines or instructions in Qur’an based on particular contexts. Maybe addition of the contexts (where necessary only) as footnotes would be better for people who doesn’t know the context of the verses or chapters. Same for the messages from Jesus. I understand that Bible contains a lot from Jews laws (Old Testament) and the Gospels of the disciples. A reader who has no background knowledge on bible may think that there is no law regarding these topics in the bible or let’s say in Christianity. Which I personally found could be misleading. For example, marriage. This book highlighted 3 verses from Bible and all 3 conveys the same message. Maybe relevant verses could be referenced from the Bible (Not the whole verses!!). Like, Chapter X:YY-ZZ.

Insightful and useful

It's okay. Not that detailed. Quite generalized and cherry picking some quotes with his own take on them.

It all G good to go.

In the interest of full disclosure, you need to know that I agreed to review this work by Louis St. Michael because as a Christian, I really wanted to be sure of what Muhammad had said on certain issues that Jesus had spoken on. Was there really a difference and if so, what was it? Were there issues of importance that one of them was silent on? And can I verify what was said in the original texts of the Bible and the Qur’an? Author St. Michael helps us answer all these questions in the affirmative.The book is incredibly well researched. It is even better organized, utilizing a table of contents that reads like an “everything you wanted to know about what these two famous individuals said on the most relevant issues they covered” directory. Included are topics like Why I Came, Fighting and Warfare, Believers and Disbelievers, Marriage, Homosexuality, Satan and Spirits, Protect Your Soul, Forgive Others, Purity, Repentance, Heaven, End Times, and much more. In fact, the volume is well over 500 pages in length. And there is also some great Appendices on how each of their respective religions development, their followers, their traditional teachings, and their doctrines.In the words of the book’s foreword, “One can learn a great deal about a religion by going to the unfiltered source and reading the words of the founder. . . A book like this can help clear up misconceptions and lead to better understanding among people of different mind-sets.” It takes each speaker’s “core messages” and matches them side-by-side, based on topic, for immediate comparison and evaluation.There is also a lot of other helpful information like a listing of Christian and Muslim terms used in the various texts with the most accepted definitions or interpretations. Comparative timelines with an explanation and study of the significant events are other key features of the work. And in its final version, this scholarly volume with have a full index.I would recommend Jesus and Muhammad: Their Messages, Side by Side for any serious student of religion, especially those involved with Christianity and/or Islam. Aside from providing us the opportunity to compare the words of Jesus and Muhammad, the book would be an asset to those that simply want a ready reference to what either of them said on so many topics. I told one of my ministerial friends about it, and he can’t wait to get his hands on it.Not much is known about the author himself. However, that may well fit with his intention to basically remain silent with respect to personal commentary of the words of his two protagonists. Louis St. Michael lets their words speak for themselves and thus each reader to come to his or her own conclusions about which one rings truer for them.I personally found the section on Retaliation most interesting. Check out Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:38 and then check out Muhammad’s in The Food 5:45, The Pilgrimage 22:60, and The Counsel 42:40.A highly recommended book that would make a great gift for anyone in ministry or studying for the ministry. I just wish somebody had put this valuable content together so nicely before now. But thankfully, Louis St. Michael has done it now.• Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, March 30, 2018

If you like biblical verses taken out of context, then this book is for you. If you like the word of God being taken out of context, wait no more, this book is for you. If you don't belive the Holly Bible to be the only, True, Living word of God, then by all means, waste your time and money in reading this.