Islam

What does the Church say about Muslims?

That they worship the one God with Christians, and are included in the plan of salvation. “The 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

The Second Vatican Council regards them “with esteem”, and names what is shared and what is not. They “adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself”, submit to him as Abraham did, honour Mary, await the day of judgment, and “worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting”. “Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet.” Nostra Aetate 3

On the Qur’an, Francis writes that “the sacred writings of Islam have retained some Christian teachings”. Evangelii Gaudium 252 The Church does not call them inspired: it “reserves the designation of inspired texts to the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments”, while granting that other religions’ scriptures may be means by which people “nourish and maintain their life-relationship with God”. Dominus Iesus 8

The history is admitted on both sides. The Council, since “not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems”, urged all “to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding”. Nostra Aetate 3 In 2012 Benedict XVI wrote that “both sides have used doctrinal differences as a pretext for justifying, in the name of religion, acts of intolerance, discrimination, marginalization and even of persecution.” Ecclesia In Medio Oriente 23

What is asked now runs both ways. Christians are to receive Muslim immigrants “with affection and respect … in the same way that we hope and ask to be received and respected in countries of Islamic tradition”, and Francis asks those countries to grant Christians freedom of worship. Against violent fundamentalism, he warns against “hateful generalisations, for authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence”. Evangelii Gaudium 253 “Muslims share with Christians the conviction that no constraint in religious matters, much less the use of force, is permitted.” Ecclesia In Medio Oriente 26

George Hitchcock, Hagar and Ishmael. Private collection.

Gn 21:14

841

The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The 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." LG 16; cf. NA 3.

843

The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life." LG 16; cf. NA 2; EN 53.

Evangelii Gaudium Nov 24, 2013
Ecclesia In Medio Oriente Sep 14, 2012
Dominus Iesus Aug 6, 2000
Nostra Aetate Oct 28, 1965
Lumen Gentium Nov 21, 1964

From the Catechism

From the Magisterium