Islamic Beliefs About Other Religions

The Qur'an states that there must be "no compulsion in religion." [Surah 2:256] Yet
Muslims are not pluralistic in their worldview - they consider their religion to the be the
true religion and invite people of all races, nationalities and religions to be part of it.

Islam is closely connected to the two other Abrahamic religions, Judaism and
Christianity. In fact, the Qur'an explains that the religion of the Jews and Christians is
the same as that revealed to Muhammad, and Allah is God of them all.

The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the
which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham,
Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no
divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to
which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to
Himself those who turn to Him. {2}

Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing (Our favour) to those who would do
right, and explaining all things in detail, and a guide and a mercy, that they might
believe in the meeting with their Lord. And this is a Book which We have revealed as a
blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy: Lest ye should say:
"The Book was sent down to two Peoples before us, and for our part, we remained
unacquainted with all that they learned by assiduous study:" {Qur'an 6:154-56}

The insufficiency of Judaism and Christianity

However, Jews and Christians have not been completely responsible with their
revelation and should still be called to the Muslim faith:

And they became divided only after Knowledge reached them,- through selfish envy as
between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord,
tending to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But
truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious disquieting doubt
concerning it. Now then, for that reason, call them to the Faith, and stand steadfast as
thou art commanded, nor follow thou their vain desires; but say: "I believe in the Book
which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is
our Lord and your Lord: for us is the responsibility for our deeds, and for you for your
deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to
Him is our Final Goal. But those who dispute concerning Allah after He has been
accepted,- futile is their dispute in the Sight of their Lord: on them will be a Penalty
terrible. {3}
Muhammad spoke approvingly of Jews and Christians as fellow "People of the Book,"
and the Qur'an even allows a Muslim man to take a Jewish or Christian woman for his
wife. {4} It also expresses admiration for the Jews, in that "they know the Book as they
know their own children!" {5}

As seen in the quote above, Muslims consider the prophets of Judaism and Christianity
to be true messengers of God, but hold Muhammad to be the last and greatest of these.

Although the Qur'an teaches that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary {6}, it rejects the
divinity of Jesus. It also explicitly condemns the doctrine of the Trinity, which it
interprets as consisting of God, Jesus and Mary:

Believe therefore in God and His Apostles and say not "Three." They misbelieve who say,
"Verily God is the third of three." The Messiah, the son of Mary, is only a prophet...and
his mother was a confessor, they both ate food. And when God shall say, "O Jesus son of
Mary hast thou said unto mankind, "Take me and my mother as two Gods besides God?"
{7}

Muslims reject both the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. According to the Qur'an,
Jesus escaped the crucifixion and ascended directly to heaven . {8}

Despite these sharp theological differences, the Quran does suggest there is hope for the
salvation of Jews and Christians: at the Last Day, distinct communities will be judged
according to "their own book" {9} and:

Those who believe [in the Qur'an], and those who follow the Jewish, and the Christians,
and the Sabians, any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness,
shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
{10}