Do Muslims believe some Jews and/or Christians will be saved?

Question

I'm curious, since I've heard conflicting answers. I'm not sure if I'm interpreting these ayats correctly or not, but could you please help explain them to me, and explain your beliefs about the stated question?

I'm using Muhammad M. Pickthall's English translation of the Qur'an.

"Lo! those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans--whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doth right--surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." (Qur'an 2:62)

I thought this was saying that Jews and Christians who believe similarly can be saved, although someone explained to me that this referred only to the early Jews and Christians.

"They are not all alike. Of the People of the Scripture there is a staunch community who recite the revelations of Allah in the night season, falling prostrate (before Him). They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency, and vie one with another in good works. They are of the righteous. And whatever good they do, they will not be denied the meed thereof. Allah is Aware of those who ward off (evil)." (Qur’an 3:113-115)

Am I interpreting this correctly, that at least some Jews and Christians will be saved? And does this apply to some among today's Jews and Christians?

I would like to add another:

"(And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve UNTIL THE DAY OF RESURRECTION. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ." (Qur'an 3:55)

I imagine Muslims will probably assert that they, today, are the true followers of Jesus. But it seems the concern is less about being Jewish/Christian or Muslim, but more about denying/rejecting or accepting Muhammad as a prophet, right?

Answer 1

the intepertation of ur two mentioned verses:
1.Surely those who believe, [who believed] before, in the prophets, and those of Jewry, the Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans, a Christian or Jewish sect, whoever, from among them, believes in God and the Last Day, in the time of our Prophet, and performs righteous deeds, according to the Law given to him - their wage, that is, the reward for their deeds, is with their Lord, and no fear shall befall them, neither shall they grieve (the [singular] person of the verbs āmana, 'believes', and 'amila, 'performs', takes account of the [singular] form of man, 'whoever', but in what comes afterwards [of the plural pronouns] its [plural] meaning [is taken into account]).

2.Yet they, the People of the Scripture, are not all alike, equal; some of the People of the Scripture are a community upright, with integrity, adhering to the truth, such as 'Abd Allāh b. Salām, may God be pleased with him and his companions, who recite God's verses in the watches of the night, that is, during its hours, prostrating themselves, performing prayer (wa-hum yasjudūn, 'prostrating themselves', is a circumstantial qualifier).

They believe in God and in the Last Day, enjoining decency and forbidding indecency, vying with one another in good works; those, described in the way God has mentioned, are of the righteous, and some of them are not like this and are not righteous.

friend it is different now since the original bible and the torah arenot poresent any more and the divine ones are changed and (sorry!) corrupted , that reward would be for ppl of the book(jews and christians ) who were b4 islam , they were also (the believers) of them were following the path of monothism , In this sense, all the pious Jews were Muslims. When Jesus came to them saying he was the expected Messiah foretold in their Torah, some Jews followed him and they were later called Christians. And the Christians who followed Jesus the prophet of God, were also “Muslims, because they worshipped none but the One God.

And then came Muhammad; in answer to the prophecies in the Jewish and Christian books of the Bible. And those Jews who recognized in Muhammad “the prophet-like-Moses,” prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:15-19, followed him. The same was true of the Christians who saw that Muhammad was “the Comforter” foretold in the Gospel of John 16:5-15 (as well as in Deuteronomy). They became the followers of Muhammad, peace be on him.

Thus, those who persistently refuse to listen to the call of the Last Prophet are in the wrong. But only Allah knows what judgment is waiting for them. This is because many misinterpret the clear prophecies in their own scriptures and turn away from the guidance of God brought by His Last Prophet.

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1123996016694

wish i made it clear for u

Answer 2

If you look at tolerance of Judaism and Christianity in world history, you will find that the Muslim empires tolerated these religions; though they were, unlike the Muslims, forced to pay a jizya, or head tax, they were allowed to retain their religions as well as their own courts. This tradition continues today in such countries as Turkey, Pakistan, and India (there is a substantial Muslim minority there,) where they are tolerated. In Turkey, there are legal predecents keeping it a secular country and thus separating church and state; such an action allows religious freedom for all, and in Pakistan and India, churches are allowed to be built, and Christians, although they may not convert Muslims, are allowed religious freedom.
But if you want to look at it from a modern standpoint, most Muslims do believe that Christians and Jews can be saved. The revelations to Mohammed that became the Qur'an are believed to be a refinement of the Bible, therefore Muslims belive that they, along with Christians and Jews, share the same book and basic beliefs. Christians and Jews are calle dhimmi, or "people of the book;" since they share the same book with Muslims, they CAN be saved, even in the modern world.

Answer 3

I'm not an expert, nor do I have enough knowledge to interpret the Quran. That said, I think the Christians and Jews meant by the verse are those before Islam. Muslims believe that the messages of Judaism and Christianity were changed and that's why Islam was sent, and God took it upon himself to protect Islam and its message until the day of Judgement, so the only true message of God today is Islam.

Answer 4

Islam rejects Crist's divinity,his clam to be the son of God,his ressurrection , they reject Jesus is the Christ /messiah.............

"Who is a liar but denies that Jesus is the Christ? he is anti-Christ ,that denies the Father and the son. He that denies the son the same has not the Father" (John 2:22)


"Prophet , make war on unbelievers and hypocrites, and deal rigorously" -sura 9:73


"belivers(muslims,take neither Jews nor Christians to be your friends:they are friends with one another. whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number. and God does not guide (those Jewish and Christian) wrong-doers"-Sura 5:51

"Let not the unbelievers think they will ever get away.They have not the power to do so. Gather against them all the men and cavalry at your command , so that you may strike terror into the enmy of Allah and tour enemy...Prophet,(Muhammed) rouse the faithfull to arms! If they (the non-Muslems) incline to peace(accept islam) make peace with them"-sura 8:59

Answer 5

Ok, God-willing I can explain,

The Meaning of Mu'min, or Believer

`Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated from Ibn `Abbas, about,

(Verily, those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last Day) that God revealed the following Ayah afterwards,

(And whoever seeks religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers) (3:85).

This statement by Ibn `Abbas indicates that God does not accept any deed or work from anyone, unless it conforms to the Law of Muhammad that is, after God sent Muhammad . Before that, every person who followed the guidance of his own Prophet was on the correct path, following the correct guidance and was saved.

And God knows best, we all be judged :D

Peace Be With You

Answer 6

They believe that the ones that reject / deny Jesus Christ the Lord, Son of God, Lamb of God & Resurrection, and confess Mohammad was a better Prophet and the Koran a better book of Allah.

This scripture is what Mohammad wrote earlier on, before Christians rejected his message. After that, it is written in the Koran that hell is for those who rejected Allahs message & messenger.

Answer 7

I don't think that most muslims consider Christians and Jews believers. But Christianity and Judiasm existed before Islam, so maybe it is talking about Christians and Jews who lived before Muhammed came along and began his teachings. After all, we Christians believe that Jews who followed God and lived before Jesus came are saved. Only the Jews who lived after Christ began preaching and rejected Him are sure to not be saved.

Answer 8

After the arrival of Last and Final REVELATION THE HOLY QURA'N and prophet Muhammed (pbuh), unless they follow the teaching of Islam, and denying Islam they are heading for trouble.
As far as your confusion what Qura'n is those who believed in Allah (Jews & Christians) who were adherent to their faith during that particular time period of their prophet will go to heaven. But after arrival of Qura'n the chapter is closed. It is a message for entire mankind. Take it or leave it, it's upto you now.

Answer 9

There are many interpretations, all I can do is give you mine (as a Muslim):

God is not petty. He will not turn away a good human simply because he held slightly different beliefs than another. No man's (or woman's!) good deeds will go unrewarded, regardless of their beliefs.

This is what I believe, because I believe in a forgiving, loving God, not one who plays favorites.

Answer 10

The seemwork of these written stories, creeds and or laws were done so long ago and altered so many times that all of these ancient writings are subject to interpretation to meet ones own self serving dictatorship of all.

Therefore, no matter how good the intentions were for the original author, it will always be corrupted. I hate religion for that reason. It's a betrayal of all man kind.