Let's make a comparison. When we speak of our hope in the future, what do we work for, or what do we hope for after death, in the final judgement? OK, not all religions believe in a final judgement, but let's compare Islam and Christianity. What is the final state that we seeking?
The Muslim's hope?
The way I understand salvation in terms of the Quran, one works their life in living up to the standard set by Allah, outlined by the five pillars among other practices. Islam claims to be more than Christianity, more than religion in that their scope is beyond just belief, into many prescribed practices to please Allah. On judgement day, they seek to pass judgement in Allah's will through the balance of good deeds weighing heavier than their bad deeds. If they pass that judgement (no one knows Allah's will for sure) their reward or promise is: an afterlife of pleasure. Filled with 70 companions purified, feasts, etc...
The Christian's hope?
For the Christian, they do not earn their salvation. They do not have to worry about if they did enough good deeds to out-weigh ther bad deeds. They simply believe in God's Son, Jesus Christ, who justified them through his death on the cross. Their sins ('bad deeds') are wiped clean! God set the punishment for sin, as death; we can't make up for a murder simply by doing 100 hours, or days, or years of community service. No amount of community service will make up for the life that was eliminated. By faith in Jesus Christ, he completely covers (and pays the penalty for) our bad deeds so we may receive our reward. The promise for the Christian is: an afterlife with the abscense of evil and suffering, in the presence of God.
The Muslim's hope and promise seems to be one of 'delayed gratification', putting the burden on one self. This does not seem very consistent to me. Is having more than 4 wives a bad deed or not? Why can't they have more than 4 wives on earth, but they can in the gardens of paradise? To me, it's either evil, or it's not.
The Christian's hope is more consistent, it doesn't involve a double standard. It provides a true reward, not just a temporal pleasure or escape.
Which promise or reward is better? Which one is lasting?
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