Similarities Between Catholicism And Islam

DEATH AND NEW LIFE COMPARATIVE ESSAY

Within the Funeral Rites in Catholicism and Islam, although there are some differences, the two religions share many similarities and platforms. Catholicism is the the largest practiced religion throughout the world and Islam is the second. Death and the Afterlife is a very important aspect in many religions, including Catholicism and Islam. An overall belief of Death and Afterlife of the two religions is that death is not the ending of life, but a new beginning in a better environment and at peace. Both religions share very similar beliefs that the after life has a heaven and hell, but have different ideas about what will occur on judgement day once the soul is presented before God.

Although the Catholic

and Islam religion have very similar ideas and views of death and the afterlife, they also view certain things from different aspects. The Catholic belief of death is that once you die, your soul either goes to heaven or hell. The way we behave on Earth will determine where our soul will go in the afterlife. Those who behaved well and followed jesus’ footsteps and command with go to heaven. Those who were wicked during their time on earth will go to Hell. Those who go to heaven will live eternal life with God. There is a state in the afterlife that Catholics believe to be called ‘Purgatory.’ This state in the afterlife is a place of suffering that is experienced by the souls of sinners who must purify and have all their sins forgiven before they enter into heaven with God. The Islamic belief of death and the afterlife is that death is the complete physical ending of life, but the begining of rest before the day of resurrection when Allah judges the living and the dead, also known as ‘Day of judgement.’ Muslims believe that those who are honorable, well behaved and spiritual are able to see visions of God whereas those who were evil see visions of Hell after death. When the day of judgement comes, everyone is judged according to what they have done during their time on earth. As said in the holy Quran, “Of the good that they do nothing will be rejected of them; for Allah knoweth well those that do right” (Surah 3:115). This meaning that if they have done more good deeds then bad, they will go to paradise (jannah) where they will be able to be happy and experience nothing but good.

Following the death of someone within the catholic and islamic religion, Several liturgical ceremonies take place.

The term for these ceremonies are called ‘Funeral Rites.’ In the Catholic faith, the funeral rites aim to remind spiritual followers of their faith, give hope and support to family and friends and put forth the dead to God’s care. The catholic funeral rites include; the Vigil, funeral liturgy and rite of committal. The vigil occurs before the Funeral liturgy and is the first gathering of family and friends as a community to gain comfort for those who are mourning through God’s word. The vigil can be celebrated or conducted in either the home of the deceased or in a church or chapel. The Word of God is the most significant prayer of the vigil. This prayer includes scripture readings, intercession, the Our father Prayer, and concluding prayers and blessings. The funeral liturgy then follows and is another opportunity for family and friends to gather together and also be apart of the Mass. The process and ceremonies within the funeral liturgy all relate to resurrection and the new life we receive through Christ. Lastly, is the Rite of Committal. This ceremony takes place at the graveside where the deceased person is in their final place of rest. This gives family and friends an opportunity to see and say goodbye to their loved

one.

Islamic Funerals follow specific rites. This includes, the burial of the body, then followed by a ritual that involves bathing of the deceased body in order for cleansing and then prayer (salah) takes place. Within hours of the death, the corpse is to be bathed with warm water. This is an important ritual of the Sunnah of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and is also essential for the Islamic Sharia. The corpse is then wrapped in a simple and modest cloth. The style of this can vary under several regions but is to be done within respect of the deceased. The body is then left to be in this state for several hours to allow family and friends to pass on their respects and condolences. Then the Funeral Prayer occurs. This is when family and friends gather as a community to recite the Janazah Prayer for the forgiveness of the dead. Once the family has done their prayer, the body is then taken for Burial in the exact manner and custom where it had left off. Once the body coffin has been fully buried, the muslim community then gathers for the last final formal prayer. The Islamic mourning goes for a 3 day period where they are devoted and receive condolences from visitors. According to the Qur'an, those who are mourning are to avoid decorative clothing and jewelry.