It is a silly argument, but that claim is often made. The reasons?
1) Muslims pray touching their head to the ground like many in the Bible.
2) Muslims say “Peace” to one another in their greeting and Christians do not.
In actuality the Quran says a lot of favorable things about Isa, the Jesus counterpart in the Quran. Many things agree with the Bible. But on the important parts, the deity, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible and Quran are in direct opposition.
But having said that, let’s look at the more common claims mentioned above.
1) Yes, Jesus did pray at times with his head to the ground.
Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Is Jesus, then, modeling the Islamic form of prayer?
While Jesus did at times touch his face to the ground, it is not the only way he prayed.
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed (John 17:1).
Kneeling wasn’t the only way he prayed. There were also other positions of prayer from the people of faith.
Kneeling – 1 Kings 8:54; Daniel 6:10 (and prayed three times per day); Acts 7:60, 20:36; Ephesians 3:14; Philippians 2:9-11.
Standing – 2 Chronicles 20:5.
Facedown – Numbers 16:22, 20:6; Joshua 5:14; Revelation 7:11.
Hands Raised – Psalms 134:2, 141:2.
2) Jesus cared for the heart more than the outward expressions.
When the disciples of Jesus asked him how to pray, he said nothing about the posture of prayer. In fact, he advocates something very different:
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
There’s nothing about praying while kneeling. If it had been important, Jesus would have included it. But he didn’t. He was more concerned about their humility and their heart to be right before God and man.
We see this theme throughout Scripture. God cares more about the heart.
“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:18-19).
When we see texts like this, the outward expressions of praying with one’s head to the ground and saying, “peace” in one’s social greeting is not what Jesus is concerned about. If someone really does honor Jesus, it will be through obedience to teachings like that are from Jesus.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15)
This is what honors Jesus. That we live and love like he did:
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:32-36).
Yes, muslims pray with their head touching the ground. Yes, they say the word “peace” in their traditional greeting. And yes, muslims talk about Isa in the Quran. But to honor Jesus is to love him and obey his commands. God cares for your heart first and foremost. This is what it is to honor Him.