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St. Francis Xavier was the first Christian missionary who came to India to spread Christianity.

A true believer in Islam (Muslim) has to perform certain duties which are the pillars of Islam or principles of Islam. They are Kalima, Namaz, Zaqqat, Roza and Hajj.

1. Kalima: It means faith. He should profess his faith in God Allah and his messenger, Mohammed-his Prophet. Every Muslim was required to recite the Muslim Credo. “There is no God but Allah, everyone should surrender to him, have faith and respect him”. This is an important message of the Quran.

2. Namaz: It means prayer. Every Muslim has to pray five times a day at dawn,shortly after midday, late afternoon, at sunset and at bedtime. He is expected to clean himself and turn towards Mecca and offer prayer. Every Friday one has to go to the Mosque to offer prayer and listen to the discussion on the Quran. Prayer is the best method to please God and getting one’s sins pardoned.

3. Zaqqat: It is to give alms to the poor Almsgiving is another duty of every Muslim. One should be honest and sincere. He has to give 2.5% of his income in charity for the promotion of religion and help the poor. Islam prohibits begging as a profession.

4. Roza: Every Muslim must fast during day time in the holy month of Ramzan.

5. Hajj: Every Muslim is obliged to perform pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime.

The founder of Christianity was Jesus Christ. He was a Jew born on 25^th December 4 B.C.E. at Bethlehem in Judea. Joseph and Virgin Mary were his parents. The birth of Jesus and the simultaneous appearance of the Easter star made the priests to believe that Jesus was a divine Entity.

He led a simple life and was associated with the poor. At the age of 12, he went to a Jewish synagogue and expounded the meaning of the difficult Jewish religious texts. Jesus was profoundly influenced by John the Baptist who baptized him at the age of 30. Jesus became a wandering preacher.

His simple teachings and messages in the form of parables attracted people who flocked around him. He travelled in and around Judea with his 12 disciples, who recognized him as the Messiah. Jesus called himself as the Son of God, which enraged the orthodox Jews.

His crucification took place on the 3^rd April 30 C.E., at Mount Calvary at Golgotha, a hill near Jerusalem. His resurrection took place 3 days later, after which he remained with his disciples for 40 days and then ascended into heaven. The teachings of Jesus are found in the holy book of Christians, namely the Bible.

1. Jesus preached the existence of one God. We are his sons. God is omnipotent, the King of Heaven. He is all-merciful. 

2. Jesus preached the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of men. Men should live like brothers and be devoted to God. 

3. Jesus believed in forgiveness and love towards mankind. He insisted on justice, humility and duty. He said, “Love your neighbours, love your enemies, bless them who curse you and do good to those who hate you and pray for them”. 

4. According to Jesus, humility, purity of heart, sincerity, and fulfillment of duty were the gateway to heaven. 

5. Jesus said, “Service to people is service to God”. Such a service is a tool for spiritual attainments. 

6. Forgiveness is a great virtue and persons blessed with that are close to God.

Thus Jesus preached simple principles which are helpful to mankind, to achieve salvation.

Spread of Christianity

1. Personality of Jesus: The simplicity of Jesus attracted common people. His appeal towards the poor, sinners and sufferers and his spiritual power helped in the spread of religion.

2. Simple principles: Jesus’ principles like fraternity, compassion, forgiveness, and faith in the Kingdom of Heaven – all these made Jesus popular among the poor and the slaves.

3. Role of Apostles: The 12 Apostles played a dominant role in spreading Christianity by popularizing the principles of Jesus. Among them St. Peter and St. Paul are important. St. Peter founded a Church at Rome and became the first Pope to spread Christianity in Rome and Asia Minor. St. Peter was executed by Nero-the Emperor of Rome which made him a martyr. St. Paul became the second Pope.

Role of Church. The Church became the chief institute for the preservation and propagation of the faith. People believed in Church as a way to Heaven and Pope as the representative of God. Despite persecutions, Christianity gained popularity.

5. Role of Constantine: The persecution of the Christians stopped when Constantine became the Emperor of Rome. He built a new city called Constantinople and dedicated it to Virgin Maty. He issued the Edict of Milan, which made Christianity a legal religion in the Roman Empire and gave permission to the Christian missionaries to spread Christianity in the East. Under Emperor Theodisius in the 4^th century C.E., Christianity became the state religion.

Mohammed was born in 570 C.E. at Mecca in Arabia. Abdullah and Ameena were his parents, He belonged to the Qureshi tribe of Mecca. He lost his parents early in his childhood and was brought up by his uncle Abu-Talib. Due to poverty, he could not receive any formal education, but he was trained to look after sheep and camels.

He was known for his honesty and sincerity. As a youth, he spent most of his time in travelling with the caravans. The comerchants called him as Amin – one who is reliable. He married Khadija, a widow, who was 15 years elder to him. They had two sons and two daughters. Daughter Fathima survived and other three died. She was given in marriage to Ali. Mohammed led a normal married life up to the age of forty.

He spent most of his time in meditation and fasting. He was also seriously thinking about the social and religious evils of the Arabs. While meditating at the Hira cave, Gabriel a messenger of God preached him the holy Gospels while he was in a trance.

Mohammed realized the impact of the Divine message of God. He also realized that he was the chosen one, and had a great mission to fulfill. His wife, son-in-law, daughter, friend Abu-Bakr and his servant Syed Mohammed were his first disciples. He declared “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet”

He started teaching the principles of the new faith to the people of Mecca. He criticized the meaningless ceremonials like Idol worship, polytheism, and superstitions among Arabs. He preached the purity of life, truth, and faith in Allah. He said Allah is Omnipotent and kind to all.

He preached Allah would reward the just and punish the wicked. Those who surrender themselves to the will of God were Muslims. His followers called him Prophet. Mohammed declared he was the prophet chosen by Allah to reveal his message to mankind. He said, “Allah was all-merciful, all-wise and all-powerful”.

St. Paul became the second Pope.

Jesus called himself as ‘Son of God’.

Prophet Mohammed died in 632 C.E.

Kalima which is one of the five pillars or principles of Islam means faith.

The Holy book of Christians is the Bible.

The holy book of Islam is ‘Koran’ or ‘Quran’.

Which is the biggest religion in the world?

Jerusalem was the religious centre of Jews.

The founder of Christianity was Jesus Christ.

Cross is the emblem of Christianity.

Jesus said, “Service to people is service to God”. Such service is a tool for spiritual achievements.

Nero and Diocletian were two of the Roman Emperors who persecuted Christians.

Abu-Talib was the uncle of Prophet.

Namaz, one of the five pillars of Islam means prayer.

It is to give alms to the poor, which is the duty of every Muslim.

Roza means fasting which every Muslim should do during the holy month of Ramzan.

Prophet Mohammed founded Islam.

Hajj is a Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca, which a true Muslim should undertake at least once in their lifetime.

The holy place of Muslims is the Khaba at Mecca.

Teachings of Jesus or Revelations of Jesus Christ is called Gospel.

The Black stone of Khaba is worshipped by Muslims at Mecca.

Abraham built the Khaba Temple for the black stone he had received from Archangel Gabriel.

Gabriel, a messenger of God preached the holy Gospels to Prophet when he was in a trance.

Khadija was the wife of Prophet.

Emperor Constantine of Rome issued the Milan Edict in 313 C.E to make Christianity a legal religion in the Roman Empire.

The symbol of Islam is Star and Crescent Moon. The religious centre of Muslims is the Mosque.

According to the New Testament, when Jesus was born, a bright star was shining in the East, which was called the ‘Star of East’.

Jehovah was the God worshipped by the Jews.

Joseph and Virgin Mary were the parents of Jesus.

Mohammed was born in 570 C.E. at Mecca in Arabia.

The Old Testament containing the teachings, principles and religious experiences of the Jews is their religious text.

The two parts of the Bible are the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Moses was the religious Prophet of Jews.

Jesus was born at Bethlehem in Judea.

The important teachings of Jesus are as follows: 

1. Jesus preached the existence of one God. We are his children. God is omnipotent, the King of Heaven. He is all-merciful. 

2. Jesus preached the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men. Men should live like brothers and be devoted to God.

Jesus Christ is believed to have risen to life on the third day after his crucification, which was a Sunday. This day of His resurrection is celebrated as Easter Sunday.

Mount Calvary at Golgotha, a hill near Jerusalem was the place where Jesus was crucified.

Christ means ‘Anointed one’.

The New Testament contains the Gospels written by his four disciples which deal with the biography of Jesus and his teachings.

Jesus Christ was born on 25^th December 4 B.C.E.

Jesus was crucified in 30 C.E. when Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governor.

Jesus Christ rose to life on the third day after his Crucification. This day is celebrated as Easter Sunday and the event is called as the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Constantine, the Emperor of Rome issued the Edict of Milan in 313 C.E., to make Christianity a legal religion in the Roman Empire.

King Herod was the contemporary Roman Emperor.

Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to accept Christianity.

St. Peter and St. Paul were the two important disciples of Jesus.