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."
Reward for the Good Deeds of Non-Believers
Opposing Verses
Surah 21:94 → "Whoever does any righteous deeds – and he is a believer – (there will be) no ingratitude for his striving. Surely We are writing (them) down for him."
Surah 99:7 → "Whoever has done a speck’s weight of good will see it,"
Does the Quran promise a reward for all good deeds, or are the deeds of those who reject Islam considered worthless? There appears to be a contradiction regarding this issue. Certain verses assert that anyone who performs even a speck's weight of good will see its reward and have their efforts acknowledged. Conversely, other verses state that the deeds of disbelievers and idolaters come to nothing and will not be rewarded.
Salvation of Non-Muslims
Supporting 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,"
Opposing 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."
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."
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.