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."
Salvation of Jews and Christians
Supporting Verses
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."
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.
Friendship with Christians
Supporting Verses
Surah 57:27 → "Then in their footsteps We followed up with Our messengers, and We followed up with Jesus, son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel, and placed in the hearts of those who followed him kindness and mercy. But monasticism, they originated it. We did not prescribe it for them. (It) only (arose out of their) seeking the approval of God. Yet they did not observe it as it should have been observed. So We gave those of them who believed their reward, but many of them were wicked."
Opposing Verses
Surah 3:118 → "You who believe! Do not take outsiders as intimate friends. They will not fail to cause you ruin. They desire what you are distressed at. (Their) hatred is already apparent from their mouths, but what their hearts hide is (even) greater. We have already made clear to you the signs, if you are understanding."
Surah 5:51 → "You who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are allies of each other. Whoever of you takes them as allies is already one of them. Surely God does not guide the people who are evildoers."
Surah 5:57 → "You who believe! Do not take those who take your religion in mockery and jest as allies, (either) from those who were given the Book before you, or (from) the disbelievers. Guard (yourselves) against God, if you are believers."
The Quran presents varying perspectives on the relationship between Muslims and Christians regarding friendship and alliance. Certain verses describe Christians as being the closest in affection to believers, highlighting their kindness. Conversely, other verses instruct believers not to take Christians, along with Jews and other outsiders, as allies or close friends. This presents a contrast in the texts regarding the permissibility and nature of alliances with Christians.
Relations with Non-Muslims
Opposing Verses
Surah 60:13 → "You who believe! Do not take as allies a people with whom God is angry. They have despaired of the Hereafter, even as the disbelievers have despaired of the companions of the graves."
Does the Quran prohibit or encourage friendly relations with non-Muslims? One verse commands believers not to take as allies people with whom God is angry, while another states that Christians will be found to be the closest in affection to the believers.