Compare and Contrast: Islamic and Christian Creation Myths
Joseph Nicolosi
Linda Mallen
English Composition
10/10/14
Compare and Contrast Essay
Similarities Between Islamic And Christian Creation Myths The religions Christianity and Islam have many comparisons in their creation myths and stories. Both myths were passed down from generation to generation and are believed to be true by both Islamic people and Christians. Both of the religions share strong similarities like the creation of Adam and the exile he faced due to his disobedience. The Islamic creation myth starts with the deity they call “Allah.” He was simply able to create everything with no effort. So Allah created the physical world: land, sea, and the heavens. He made all the living creatures and gave them the ability to walk, swim, or fly. He made the sun, moon, and the stars to give light. The Quran mentions that Allah made it rain and soon thereafter rose vegetation as sustenance to feed the living creatures on the earth. Allah created angels to help the development of life in its infantile stages. Allah sent his angels to seven areas of the earth to gather different kinds of earth material so he may form the first man from the dirt and mud of every corner of the earth. This man was called Adam. Allah brought Adam to “paradise” where he was to live with Hawwa, the first woman. Hawwa was created from the flesh and bone that was part of Adam. Allah taught Adam the names of the animals that roam the earth, and commanded the angels to bow down before him. But, Iblees, one of the angels disobeyed Allah’s orders and refused to serve Adam. “And when your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am going to create a human from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him soul created by me, then you fall down prostrate to him.’ (Quran 38:71-72) ‘...Prostrate to Adam and they prostrated except Iblees....’ (Quran 7:11)” (1) Allah placed the couple in a vast garden in paradise and told them they could eat whatever
Linda Mallen
English Composition
10/10/14
Compare and Contrast Essay
Similarities Between Islamic And Christian Creation Myths The religions Christianity and Islam have many comparisons in their creation myths and stories. Both myths were passed down from generation to generation and are believed to be true by both Islamic people and Christians. Both of the religions share strong similarities like the creation of Adam and the exile he faced due to his disobedience. The Islamic creation myth starts with the deity they call “Allah.” He was simply able to create everything with no effort. So Allah created the physical world: land, sea, and the heavens. He made all the living creatures and gave them the ability to walk, swim, or fly. He made the sun, moon, and the stars to give light. The Quran mentions that Allah made it rain and soon thereafter rose vegetation as sustenance to feed the living creatures on the earth. Allah created angels to help the development of life in its infantile stages. Allah sent his angels to seven areas of the earth to gather different kinds of earth material so he may form the first man from the dirt and mud of every corner of the earth. This man was called Adam. Allah brought Adam to “paradise” where he was to live with Hawwa, the first woman. Hawwa was created from the flesh and bone that was part of Adam. Allah taught Adam the names of the animals that roam the earth, and commanded the angels to bow down before him. But, Iblees, one of the angels disobeyed Allah’s orders and refused to serve Adam. “And when your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am going to create a human from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him soul created by me, then you fall down prostrate to him.’ (Quran 38:71-72) ‘...Prostrate to Adam and they prostrated except Iblees....’ (Quran 7:11)” (1) Allah placed the couple in a vast garden in paradise and told them they could eat whatever
Cited: (1) Stacey, Aisha. “The Story of Adam: The First Man” The Religion of Islam. 16 Oct. 2011. Web. 8 Oct. 2014.<http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/1190/> (2) Holy Bible. New International Version. Colorado Springs. Biblica, 2011.