An analytical study of Mormon Christianity in an Islamic context

مورمن مسیحیت کا اسلامی تناظر میں تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

Mormon Christianity represents a distinctive religious tradition whose historical development, theological doctrines, scriptural claims, and religious practices differ in significant respects from both traditional Christianity and Islam. Against this background, the present study aims to provide an analytical examination of the fundamental beliefs and doctrines of Mormon Christianity from an Islamic theological perspective, with particular attention to its concepts of God, revelation, prophethood, scripture, Jesus Christ, salvation, religious authority, ordinances, temple practices, and polygamy. The study employs a qualitative, comparative and analytical methodology, examining Mormon beliefs within their historical and theological contexts and evaluating them in the light of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and established principles of Islamic theology. The analysis also distinguishes between the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, historical Mormon positions, fundamentalist groups, and individual interpretations in order to avoid unwarranted generalisations. The findings indicate that, although certain terminological and thematic similarities can be identified between Mormonism and Islam, these similarities do not establish substantive theological correspondence. Significant differences are found particularly concerning the nature and unity of God, the finality of prophethood, the authority and status of scripture, continuing revelation, the theological status of Jesus Christ, crucifixion and atonement, salvation, and the religious significance of specific ordinances and temple practices. The study concludes that a sound Islamic assessment of Mormon Christianity requires a balanced approach that combines accurate historical understanding, recognition of internal diversity, careful examination of Mormon self-understanding, and systematic evaluation of its theological claims according to Qur’anic and Islamic doctrinal principles. Such an approach can contribute to a more precise and academically responsible understanding of Mormon Christianity within comparative religion and Muslim-Christian theological studies.