What are the Abrahamic religions?
The Abrahamic religions are Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the three major faiths that trace their belief in one God back to the prophet Abraham. Together they are followed by more than half of the world's population. Smaller faiths such as the Baha'i, Druze and Samaritans are sometimes included too.
Why they are called "Abrahamic"
All three honour Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) as the great model of faith in one God. Jews trace their lineage through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob (Israel). Muslims also honour Isaac and Jacob as prophets, and see Ishmael, Abraham's elder son, as the ancestor of the Arabs and of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Christians see themselves as Abraham's spiritual heirs through faith. See Do Muslims believe in Abraham?
What they share
- One God who created the universe and speaks to humanity.
- Prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. See Do Muslims believe in Moses?
- Revealed scripture: the Torah, the Gospel and the Quran.
- Moral teachings like honesty, charity and caring for parents and the poor.
- A Day of Judgment and life after death.
The Islamic view of Abraham's religion
Islam sees itself not as a new religion but as a return to the pure faith Abraham taught. The Quran says:
"Muslim" here means one who submits to God. The Prophet ﷺ described the prophets as brothers with different mothers but one religion (Sahih al-Bukhari 3443): the same core message of worshipping one God, with different laws for different times.
Where they differ
- God's nature: most Christians believe in the Trinity, while Jews and Muslims hold strict oneness.
- Jesus: Christians see him as divine; Muslims honour him as a prophet and the Messiah; Judaism doesn't accept him as the Messiah.
- Muhammad ﷺ: only Muslims believe he is the final prophet.
- Scripture: Muslims believe earlier scriptures were changed over time and the Quran is the final, preserved revelation.
Because of these shared roots, the Quran gives Jews and Christians a special title: "People of the Book". See Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God?
- The three main Abrahamic religions are Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
- They share belief in one God, prophets, scripture and judgment.
- Islam sees itself as the pure faith of Abraham, restored.
- Key differences concern the Trinity, Jesus and Muhammad ﷺ.
People also ask
Is there confession in Islam?
No, there is no confession to a priest in Islam. Muslims repent directly to Allah through tawbah and are told to keep private sins covered.
Read the full answer →Can Muslims call Jesus "Christ"?
Yes, Muslims can call Jesus Christ, since it means Messiah, a title the Quran gives him (al-Masih, Quran 3:45), without the belief that he is divine.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in saints?
Muslims believe in the awliya, righteous friends of Allah, but not in canonized saints who are prayed to. Here's how Islam's view differs.
Read the full answer →What do Muslims think about the Catholic Church?
Muslims respect Catholics as People of the Book who honour Jesus and Mary, but reject the Trinity, papal authority and prayer to saints.
Read the full answer →Is there baptism in Islam?
No, there is no baptism in Islam. Every child is born pure, and you enter Islam by saying the shahada, with a ghusl recommended afterwards.
Read the full answer →