Islam and Mormonism have been compared to one another since the earliest origins of the latter in the nineteenth century, sometimes by detractors of one or both religions,Thomas Marsh and Orson Hyde Affidavit , for example; see also PBS's American Prophet: Prologue and Todd J. Harris, A Comparison of Muhammad and Joseph Smith in the Prophetic Pattern , a thesis submitted for a Master of Arts degree at Brigham Young University in 2007, footnotes on pages 1 and 2. but also at least once by Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, himself. Smith was also frequently referred to as "the Modern Muhammad" by several publications of the era, notably in the New York Herald,PBS's American Prophet: Prologue. shortly after his assassination in June 1844. This epithet repeated a comparison that had been made from Smith's earliest career.Thomas Marsh and Orson Hyde Affidavit , also Todd J. Harris, A Comparison of Muhammad and Joseph Smith in the Prophetic Pattern , a thesis submitted for a Master of Arts degree at Brigham Young University in 2007, footnotes on pages 1 and 2.
Comparison of the Mormon and Muslim prophets still occurs today, sometimes for derogatory or polemical reasonsSee, for example: Joseph Smith and Muhammad: The Similarities , and Eric Johnson, Joseph Smith and Muhammad, a book published by the "Mormonism Research Ministry" and offered for sale by the anti-Mormon "Utah Lighthouse Ministries". but also for more scholarly and neutral purposes.See, for instance, Todd J. Harris, A Comparison of Muhammad and Joseph Smith in the Prophetic Pattern , a thesis submitted for a Master of Arts degree at Brigham Young University in 2007. Although Mormonism and Islam bear some similarities in history, there are mainly significant differences between the two religions. Mormon–Muslim relations have historically been cordial; recent years have seen increasing dialogue between adherents of the two faiths, and cooperation in charitable endeavors.World Muslim Congress: Mormons and Muslims; Mormon-Muslim Interfaith Ramadan Dinner.
Mormons have also been compared to Ahmadi Muslims specifically, with many noting distinct similarities in both groups' doctrine, history, culture, approach to missionary work, and general lack of acceptance from mainstream Christianity and Islam, respectively.
Overview
Islam and Latter-day Saint theology both originate in the Abrahamic tradition; LDS theology differs from Mainstream Christianity for having diverging views on Trinitarianism. However, whereas Islam insists upon the Eternity, complete Oneness and Uniqueness of God (Allah), LDS Christianity asserts that the Godhead is made up of three distinct "beings", Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost so united with one purpose as to be indistingushable. Furthermore, its doctrine of Eternal Progression asserts that God was once a man,See The King Follet Sermon: Parallel texts and that humans may become gods themselves, both of which are considered kufr in Islam.Doctrine & Covenants 132:20.
Both Islam and Latter-day Saints believe that the Christian religion as originally established by Jesus was a true religion, but that Christianity subsequently became deformed to the point that it was beyond simple reformation. Hence, each religion sees its founder (Muhammad for Islam, and Joseph Smith for the LDS Church) as being a succeeding prophet of God, called to re-establish the true faith. However, each religion differs in regard to how it views Jesus: Latter-day Saints see him as the promised Messiah and the Son of God (as is the case around mainstream Christianity). Islam agrees that Jesus (whom the Quran calls "Isa") was a Messiah in his own right, but insists that he was only a mortal man, not the Son of God or a divine being. Despite great opposition from many other Christian branches, Latter-day Saints identify themselves as a Christian religion, and the "restoration" of primitive Christianity. Islam does not refer to itself as "Christian"; it asserts that Jesus and all true followers of Christ's teachings were originally Muslims – a term that means "submitters to God" – in their belief, not Christians as that term is used today., from the website.
Similar origins
Quran Islam holds that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad by the archangel Jibrīl (Gabriel) over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning in 610 CE when he was forty years old, and concluding in 632 CE, the year of his death.Nasr, Seyyed Hossein (2007). "Quran". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-68890/Quran. Retrieved 2007-11-04.Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths, Mary Pat Fisher, 1997, page 338, I.B. Tauris Publishers. He first began receiving the 114 revelations that would comprise its contents while secluded for meditation and prayer in the Cave of Hira in the mountains outside of Mecca, in what is now Saudi Arabia. According to Islamic tradition, the illiterate Muhammad was confronted there by Jibrīl, who commanded him to "recite".Quran, Surah 96, verses 1-5. Although deeply distressed by this event, Muhammad was comforted by his wife Khadijah and her Christian cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who encouraged him to accept the angel's visit. Following a three-year period without any further visits from Jibrīl (during which Muhammad continued to pray and devote himself to spiritual practices), the angel returned once more, and the other 113 Surahs of the Quran were revealed over the next 23 years, which were memorized by their hearers. Muhammad himself did not collect the Quran into a single, written volume; this was largely done after his death.Holy Qur'an: Transmission of the Written Text, from the SunniPath Online Islamic Academy website.
Latter-day Saint sacred texts Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed Mormon) or Latter-day Saints believe that when Joseph Smith was about 14 years old, he decided to ask God which church was right because he had been visiting all the churches in his area and they all taught different doctrines and argued between each other. When he started to pray he was overcome by an evil feeling that made him feel like he was doomed. But calling upon God with all his energy, there appeared above him a pillar of light that gradually descended until he was completely immersed in it. As he looked up into the light he saw two personages of glory that looked exactly the same. The one pointed to the other and said, "Joseph, this is my Beloved Son, hear Him." The Saviour spoke to Joseph and told him to join no church because they were all teaching false doctrines and were not the true church. A few years later at age seventeen , an angel of God named Moroni appeared to him[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/content/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/the-life-and-ministry-of-joseph-smith "The Life and Ministry of Joseph Smith", Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church, 2007) pp. xxii–25. and told him of a collection of ancient writings engraved on golden plates by ancient prophets, buried in a nearby hill in Ontario County, New York. These writings became the Book of Mormon, and were said to have described a people whom God had led from Jerusalem to the Western Hemisphere 600 years before Jesus' birth. According to the narrative, Moroni was the last prophet among these people and had buried the record, which God had promised to bring forth in the latter days. Smith stated that he was instructed by Moroni to meet him at the hill annually each September 22 to receive further instructions; four years after the initial visit, in 1827, he was allowed to take the plates and was directed to translate them into English.Joseph Smith–History 1:59
Mormons and Muslims
God
A notable area of difference between Mormons and Muslims lies in their religions' differing concepts of God. In Islam, Allah (the Arabic term for God) is seen as being unique, totally transcendent, absolutely and indivisibly One; this concept is called Tawhid in Islamic theology, and does not admit the possibility of division in the Godhead either in personality, essence or otherwise. It holds that God is one () and unique (ahad). The very term "Allah" itself is singular, and does not have a plural form in Arabic (unlike English, where "god" can be pluralized into "gods"). Allah is perceived by Muslims to be a unique, independent and indivisible being, who is utterly independent of and who precedes all of creation, having created all of it ex nihilo.Vincent J. Cornell, Encyclopedia of Religion, Vol 5, pp.3561-3562. Hence, the idea that there could be more than one God, or that God could be composed of distinct persons (however united these "persons" might be alleged to be in substance – as is held in the mainstream Trinitarian theology of Christianity – or in purpose alone, as alleged by the Mormons in opposition to the Christian doctrine), is all heresy of the worst possible kind for a Muslim. In fact, such ideas are referred to as Shirk, which is the most serious sin in Islamic law, and the only one designated by the Quran as being utterly unpardonable for the person who dies in it.
In stark contrast, Mormonism believes in a Godhead composed of three separate and distinct beings, who function as a single, unified God under the direction of the Father, who is held to be the senior member of this triad.Deseret Weekly, August 30, 1890, 305, quoting from a sermon of LDS Church President Wilford Woodruff indicating God the Father as being the "head" of the Mormon Trinity. Although the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants clearly identify the Father, Son and Holy Ghost as being "one God",Book of Mormon: II Nephi 31:21; Doctrine and Covenants 20:17:33. this unity is seen as a metaphorical "oneness" in spirit, purpose and glory, rather than a physical or bodily union. The Mormon Book of Abraham, in its account of creation (one that generally parallels the one in the Biblical Book of Genesis), speaks of "the Gods", rather than "God", as accomplishing the act of creation.LDS Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham, Chapters 4 and 5.
Mormon Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland elaborated upon this concept during the General Conference of the LDS Church in 2007:
Latter-day Saints also believe, in marked contrast to Islam, that God the Father and Jesus Christ each have physical bodies of flesh and bone,Doctrine and Covenants 130:22. and that the Father was once a man, who progressed to become what he is today."Chapter 2: God the Eternal Father", Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church, 2011) pp. 36–44. Furthermore, they believe that man is capable, by embracing and adhering completely to the Mormon religion, of evolving into a "god" himself in the next life,See The First Presidency (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund), in James R. Clark, comp: Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4:205-6 the LDS equivalent of theosis. In addition, the existence of a being colloquially known as "Heavenly Mother" is affirmed by the LDS Church,See Smith, Joseph F. et al., "The Origin of Man", Improvement Era (November 1909): 80. See also, for example, Hinckley 1991, encouraging Latter-day Saint women not to pray to the Heavenly Mother; or M. Russell Ballard stating "we are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents who love us" in his book When Thou Art Converted. though prayer to her or speaking of her as being part of the Mormon Godhead are not encouraged. Islam rejects all of these concepts.