Surah 2:62
"Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians – whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and does righteousness – they have their reward with their Lord. (There will be) no fear on them, nor will they sorrow."
Free Will vs. Predestination
Supporting Verses
Surah 18:29 → "Say: ‘The truth is from your Lord. Whoever pleases, let him believe, and whoever pleases, let him disbelieve.’ Surely We have prepared a Fire for the evildoers – its walls will encompass them. If they call for help, they will be helped with water like molten metal (which) will scald their faces. Evil is the drink and evil the resting place!"
Surah 2:186 → "When My servants ask you about Me, surely I am near. I respond to the call of the caller when he calls on Me. So let them respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright."
Opposing Verses
Surah 10:100 → "It is not for any person to believe, except by the permission of God. He places abomination on those who do not understand."
Surah 10:99 → "If your Lord had (so) pleased, whoever was on the earth would indeed have believed – all of them together. Will you compel the people until they become believers?"
Surah 76:30 → "But you will not (so) please unless God pleases. Surely God is knowing, wise."
Does the Quran state that humans have free will to choose their beliefs, or are their choices predestined by God? Some verses command individuals to choose to believe and hold them accountable, while others state that a person can only believe or will something if God wills it.
Salvation of Christians
Supporting Verses
Surah 5:69 → "Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians – whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and does righteousness – (there will be) no fear on them, nor will they sorrow."
Opposing Verses
Surah 5:72 → "Certainly they have disbelieved who say, ‘Surely God – He is the Messiah, son of Mary,’ when the Messiah said, ‘Sons of Israel! Serve God, my Lord and your Lord. Surely he who associates (anything) with God, God has forbidden him (from) the Garden, and his refuge is the Fire. The evildoers have no helpers.’"
Does the Quran state that Christians will be saved or condemned? Some verses state that Christians who believe in God and the Last Day will have nothing to fear, while other verses state that those who believe the Messiah is God are disbelievers whose refuge is the Fire.
Salvation of Non-Muslims
Supporting Verses
Surah 5:69 → "Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians – whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and does righteousness – (there will be) no fear on them, nor will they sorrow."
Opposing Verses
Surah 3:19 → "Surely the religion with God is Islam. Those who were given the Book did not differ until after the knowledge had come to them, (because of) envy among themselves. Whoever disbelieves in the signs of God – surely God is quick at the reckoning."
Surah 3:85 → "Whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."
Surah 5:33 → "The penalty (for) those who wage war (against) God and His messenger, and who strive in fomenting corruption on the earth, is that they be killed or crucified, or their hands and feet on opposite sides be cut off, or they be banished from the earth. That is a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter (there will be) a great punishment for them,"
Surah 9:17 → "It is not for the idolaters to inhabit the mosques of God, (while) bearing witness against themselves of disbelief. Those – their deeds have come to nothing, and in the Fire they will remain."
Is salvation restricted exclusively to Muslims, or are the good deeds of followers of other religions accepted? Some verses indicate that Jews, Christians, and Sabians who believe and do righteous deeds will be rewarded and have nothing to fear, while other verses state that no religion other than Islam will be accepted.
Salvation of Jews and Christians
Supporting Verses
Surah 5:82 → "Certainly you will find that the most violent of people in enmity to the believers are the Jews and the idolaters. Certainly you will find that the closest of them in affection to the believers are those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because (there are) priests and monks among them, and because they are not arrogant."
Opposing Verses
Surah 9:30 → "The Jews say, ‘Ezra is the son of God,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Messiah is the son of God.’ That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before (them). (May) God fight them. How are they (so) deluded?"
Does the Quran state that Jews and Christians will be rewarded or cursed? Some verses state that Jews and Christians who believe and work righteousness will have their reward, while others state that God's curse be on them.
Salvation for Non-Muslims
Opposing Verses
Surah 4:150 → "Surely those who disbelieve in God and His messengers, and wish to make a distinction between God and His messengers, and say, ‘We believe in part, but disbelieve in part,’ and wish to take a way between (this and) that,"
Surah 4:151 → "those – they in truth are the disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment."
Does the Quran require belief in Muhammad for salvation? Some verses state that anyone who believes in God and the Last Day and does righteous deeds will be rewarded, including Jews, Christians, and Sabians, while other verses state that those who make a distinction between God and His messengers are disbelievers facing a humiliating punishment.