Discussion About Christianity vs Islam
This opens the door to a nuanced discussion about Christianity as a religion vs Islam as a complete way of life (deen). From an Islamic (or even comparative-religious) standpoint, when we speak of “civic characteristics” missing in Christianity, we usually mean that Christianity—especially in its mainstream modern form – does not provide a complete system for organizing society in areas such as law, politics, economics, governance, or criminal justice.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s considered missing or incomplete from a civic standpoint:
Comprehensive Legal System
Missing in Christianity: There is no detailed, applicable legal code that governs civil, criminal, economic, or family law.
In Islam: Sharia covers everything—contracts, inheritance, marriage/divorce, crime/punishment, etc.
Result: Christian-majority nations rely on secular, man-made laws.
Political Governance System
Missing: Christianity offers no structured political theory or system of governance (like Caliphate, justice systems, or leadership principles).
In Islam: There are rules for leadership (Imamah/Caliphate), justice, consultation (shura), and responsibility to the people.
Criminal Justice Framework
Missing: Christianity lacks a detailed judicial system with enforceable punishments (ḥudūd, qisās, diyah).
Islam: Provides a balanced system of justice, mercy, and reformation, grounded in divine law.
Economic System
Missing: Christianity has no clear stance on interest (riba), economic inequality, or state redistribution mechanisms.
Islam: Prohibits interest, mandates zakat (charity tax), regulates business ethics, and promotes economic justice.
Societal Ethics & Public Morality
Christianity today: Often privatized faith; no enforcement of public morality (e.g., modesty, alcohol bans, public behavior).
Islam: Encourages societal enforcement of morality (hisbah, amr bil ma’ruf wa nahi ‘an al-munkar).
Foreign Policy & Defense Guideline
Missing: Christianity doesn’t define rules for war, peace treaties, or treatment of non-combatants.
Islam: Offers a full code for jihad, truces, prisoners of war, and international relations.
Integration of Religion and State
Missing: Christianity mostly separates church and state, especially in Protestant theology.
Islam: Integrates worship with law, politics, and social order.
Summary Table
- Law: [Largely spiritual/moral] Comprehensive legal code (Sharia)
- Politics: [No political system] Caliphate, Shura, Islamic leadership
- Criminal Justice: [General morality, no punishments] Penal laws (ḥudūd, qisās)
- Economics: [No economic doctrine] Anti-usury, zakat, ethical trade
- Public Morality: [Personal, not enforced] Societal responsibility (hisbah)
- Foreign Policy: [Vague] Well-defined rules of war and peace
- Religion-State Relation: [Separation] Unity of Deen and Dunya