do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by
what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say:
We believe in that which has been revealed to us and
revealed to you, and our Allah and your Allah is One, and
to Him do we submit’’ (Sura29:46).
Even still, Muslims vehemently deny that the Allah of
the Koran is the God of the Bible. Not only is the very
notion of the Trinity blasphemous to Muslims, but referring
to God as ‘‘Father’’ is for them blasphemous as well. Even
to say such a thing would put a Muslim at risk of Hell. As
we explained in some detail in question 54, Allah is not a
Father who seeks our love but a Master who demands our
obedience.
To an objective observer, then, it should be clear that
the Allah of the Koran cannot be identified with the loving
Father whom Christians worship.
- Doesn’t the Catechism of the Catholic Church teach that
all religions (including Muslims) worship the one true God
to a greater or lesser degree?
Not precisely. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says
that ‘‘[t]he plan of salvation also includes those who
acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom
are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham,
and together with us they adore the one, merciful God,
mankind’s judge on the last day’’ (CCC 841).
This is a carefully worded statement that warrants close
examination.