The Soil · About Submission
Other Religions
God sent one message to every people. We can hold it firmly and still treat every person with kindness.
He decreed for you the same religion decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: “You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it.” The idol worshipers will greatly resent what you invite them to do. GOD redeems to Himself whomever He wills; He guides to Himself only those who totally submit.
[42:13]Who This Page Is For
This page is written for two readers at once. One is a believer who wants to understand other faiths. The other is a person of another faith who has come here to see what we say about them. You both deserve honesty, and you both deserve kindness. Nothing here is meant to score points.
Talking about other religions often goes wrong in one of two ways. Some people say all religions are the same, and the differences don't matter. Others turn every difference into a fight.
The Quran does neither. It tells us plainly what it teaches. And it shows us a great deal of common ground, and a lot of respect for other people.
So let's look at both, as gently and honestly as we can.
On This Page
Four parts, and the questions people ask after each one.
One Religion From the Start
Here is something that surprises many people. The Quran does not present itself as a new religion. It says God gave one religion to all His messengers.
God says: “He decreed for you the same religion decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: ‘You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it.’” [42:13]
And God sent that message everywhere: “We have sent a messenger to every community, saying, ‘You shall worship GOD, and avoid idolatry.’” [16:36] No people was left without it.
So when we meet some truth in another tradition, we don't need to be surprised. The same God sent the same message to every people.
The Religion of Abraham
The Quran calls this one religion Submission. It means giving ourselves to God alone.
It goes back to Abraham: “Abraham was neither Jewish, nor Christian; he was a monotheist submitter. He never was an idol worshiper.” [3:67] And God tells believers it is “the religion of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you ‘Submitters’ originally.” [22:78]
The footnote in this translation to 22:78 says that all messengers preached one and the same message, ‘Worship God alone’. It says Abraham was the first messenger to coin the terms ‘Submission’ and ‘Submitter’.
That is why believers are taught to honour every messenger alike. God tells us to say: “We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.” [2:136]
Questions About One Religion
Is Submission a new religion?
No. It is the oldest religion there is, the one God gave to every messenger. The Quran calls it the religion of Abraham. God says He decreed the same religion for Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, with one command: “You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it.” [42:13] And God told Muhammad to follow Abraham: “Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham, the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.” [16:123] The translation's heading over that verse is ‘Muhammad: A Follower of Abraham’. So Submission is the same call God has always made: worship Him alone.
If God sent messengers to every people, why does it matter which one we follow?
Because they all brought the same message, and what matters is keeping that message pure. The Quran does not ask anyone to leave Moses or Jesus. It asks us to hold on to what they actually taught. God tells us all His messengers carried one religion [42:13], and He tells us to make no distinction among them [2:136]. The Quran describes itself as “confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them” [5:48]. The translation's heading over that verse is ‘Quran: The Ultimate Reference’. So when people disagree about what God said, the Quran is the reference we go back to. That is something each person can test. We can read the Quran beside what we already hold, and see for ourselves.
What does ‘Submission’ mean? Is it the same as being a Muslim?
Submission means giving ourselves to God alone. It is about what is in the heart, not the name on a form. God says: “The only religion approved by GOD is ‘Submission.’” [3:19] And He describes who a submitter is: “those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord” [2:112]. The translation's heading over that verse is ‘Submission: The Only Religion’. The word Muslim means ‘submitter’. But calling ourselves Muslim does not make us one. The heading over 2:62 is ‘Unity of All Submitters’. That verse names Jews, Christians and converts. So a true submitter can be found in any of these communities, wherever someone submits to God alone and does good. So the real question for each of us is whom we worship, whatever we are called.
What Saves a Person
So who will be saved? The Quran answers in a verse that names different communities one by one:
“Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.” [2:62]
Look at what that verse does. It does not condemn anyone because of a label. And it does not save anyone because of a label either. (The numbers 1, 2 and 3 are in the translation itself.)
The translation's heading over 5:69, which says almost the same thing, is ‘Minimum Requirements For Salvation’. And over 2:111 it is ‘All Believers Are Redeemed, Regardless of the Name of Their Religion’.
A Warning for Every Community
A label cannot save a group, and it cannot condemn one either. No group can claim Paradise just by its name.
Some people once said, “No one will enter Paradise except Jews or Christians!” God calls that wishful thinking, and tells His messenger to answer: “Show us your proof, if you are right.” [2:111]
The same is true for all of us, including those who call themselves Muslim. God warns: “The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.” [12:106] Believing in God is not enough if we set up others beside Him.
God is the One who judges between all communities: “Those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, and the idol worshipers, GOD is the One who will judge among them on the Day of Resurrection. GOD witnesses all things.” [22:17]
Questions About Salvation
Are people of other faiths automatically condemned?
No. The Quran judges people by what they believe and how they live, not by the name of their religion. God names the communities one by one, and then gives three conditions: “anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord.” [2:62] The Quran also speaks warmly of righteous people among the earlier communities: “They are not all the same; among the followers of the scripture, there are those who are righteous. They recite GOD's revelations through the night, and they fall prostrate.” [3:113] The translation's heading there is ‘Righteous Jews & Christians’. The one thing God tells us He does not forgive is idol worship: “GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills.” [4:48] The footnote to 4:48 adds that idol worship is unforgivable only if it is kept until death, and that anyone can repent of any offense, including idol worship, before death comes. And judging any person is God's work, not ours [22:17].
Does being a Muslim guarantee Paradise?
No. No label guarantees Paradise, including this one. What counts is worshipping God alone and doing good. When some people claimed Paradise for their own group by name, God called it “wishful thinking”, and told His messenger to answer: “Show us your proof, if you are right.” [2:111] Then He tells us who is rewarded: “those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life” [2:112]. God also warns that most believers fall into idol worship: “The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.” [12:106] So this is a question for us to ask ourselves, humbly, every day. Are we worshipping God alone?
What about Hindus, Buddhists and people of other faiths?
The same standard applies to everyone. God sent messengers to every people, and He judges every soul fairly. God says: “Every community must receive a warner.” [35:24] And: “To each community, a messenger. After their messenger comes, they are judged equitably, without the least injustice.” [10:47] The message was always the same: worship God alone, and avoid idolatry [16:36]. So wherever a person is, what matters is whether they turn to God alone and live righteously. We are not the judges of any community. God tells us He will judge among them all [22:17].
Where the Paths Part
The Quran honours the earlier messengers and scriptures. It speaks of the Torah as “guidance and light” [5:44], and of the Gospel given to Jesus as “guidance and light” too [5:46].
It honours Jesus in a special way: “The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was a messenger of GOD, and His word that He had sent to Mary, and a revelation from Him.” [4:171]
But in that same verse, God corrects something: “You shall not say, ‘Trinity.’ You shall refrain from this for your own good. GOD is only one god. Be He glorified; He is much too glorious to have a son.” [4:171]
The words “for your own good” matter. This is a correction offered with care, without scorn.
And God gives Jesus' own words, in a verse that is very direct: “Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah himself said, ‘O Children of Israel, you shall worship GOD; my Lord and your Lord.’ Anyone who sets up any idol beside GOD, GOD has forbidden Paradise for him, and his destiny is Hell.” [5:72] The translation's heading over that passage is ‘Today's Christianity Not Jesus' Religion’.
And two verses later, God opens the door: “Would they not repent to GOD, and ask His forgiveness? GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.” [5:74]
A Word for Muslims Too
It would be easy to read the Quran's corrections as only about other people. But the Quran is just as clear with those who call themselves Muslim.
When the Quran tells us how to talk with “the people of the scripture”, the translation adds in brackets who they are: “(Jews, Christians, & Muslims)” [29:46]. Muslims are included.
The translation's heading over 2:285 is ‘You Shall Not Make Any Distinction Among God's Messengers’. Its footnote says that ‘corrupted Muslims’ mention Muhammad's name in their declaration of faith and during their prayers.
And God warns us against splitting into sects: “like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.” [30:32] The heading there is ‘Sectarianism Condemned’.
Questions About Where We Differ
What does the Quran say about Jews and Christians?
It honours the righteous among them, it corrects what went wrong, above all the claim that God has a son, and it tells us to argue with them only in the nicest manner. It calls them people of the scripture, and it praises the righteous among them [3:113]. It makes their food lawful for believers, and allows believers to marry chaste women among them [5:5]. It corrects the idea that God has a son: “GOD is only one god. Be He glorified; He is much too glorious to have a son.” [4:171] And it shows us how to hold both together: “Do not argue with the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, & Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner—unless they transgress— and say, ‘We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters.’” [29:46]
What does the Quran say about Jesus?
It honours him as a great messenger of God, and it tells us he was a human being, not God or God's son. God calls him “a messenger of GOD, and His word that He had sent to Mary, and a revelation from Him.” [4:171] God gave him the Gospel, “containing guidance and light” [5:46]. And God tells us: “The Messiah, son of Mary, is no more than a messenger like the messengers before him, and his mother was a saint. Both of them used to eat the food.” [5:75] Jesus taught people to worship God alone: “you shall worship GOD; my Lord and your Lord.” [5:72] So loving Jesus and worshipping God alone go together. That is what he taught.
Does the Quran criticise Muslims too?
Yes. The Quran's warnings apply to everyone who received scripture, and Muslims are included. The translation names the people of the scripture in brackets: “(Jews, Christians, & Muslims)” [29:46]. And God warns: “The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.” [12:106] A footnote warns about adding Muhammad's name to the declaration of faith and to the prayers. The believers in 2:285 say: “We make no distinction among any of His messengers.” [2:285] The footnote points us to 72:18: “do not call on anyone else beside GOD” [72:18]. So none of us should feel superior. All of us need to check our own worship.
Living Side by Side
The Quran is very clear that faith cannot be forced: “There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way.” [2:256] The translation's heading over 18:29 is ‘Absolute Freedom of Religion’.
God even asks: “Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?” [10:99]
Instead, God tells us how to share His message: “You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner.” [16:125]
And He tells us not to curse what others worship, so that they are not provoked into cursing God: “Do not curse the idols they set up beside GOD, lest they blaspheme and curse GOD, out of ignorance.” [6:108]
Friendship and Fairness
The translation's heading over 60:8 is ‘Basic Law Regulating Relations With Unbelievers’. And the law is kind: “GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.” [60:8]
The only people we are told not to befriend are those who fight us because of religion and drive us from our homes [60:9].
God also commands fairness even with people we are in conflict with: “Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice. You shall be absolutely equitable, for it is more righteous.” [5:8]
And He reminds all of us why we are different at all: “O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous.” [49:13]
Questions About Living Together
Can we be friends with people of other faiths?
Yes. God allows it, and He loves those who are fair to others. He says: “GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.” [60:8] The limit is for those who fight us because of our religion and drive us from our homes [60:9]. So a Christian neighbour, a Jewish colleague, a Hindu friend: we can share our lives with them, help them, and be good to them.
Can we attend the weddings, funerals and services of another faith?
Yes, we can be there for people we care about. What we do not do is join in worship directed to anyone other than God. Going to a friend's wedding, or sitting with a grieving family at a funeral, is simple kindness. And God allows kindness and fairness toward peaceful people of other faiths [60:8]. The line is worship itself. God tells us: “The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.” [72:18] So we can be present and respectful, and stay quiet during prayers addressed to someone else. And we never curse what others worship. God tells us not to [6:108].
Do we have to reject our family's tradition to follow the Quran?
Only the part that sets up a partner beside God. We never turn away from our family. The Quran speaks to the hardest case, when parents push us toward idols: “If they try to force you to set up any idols beside Me, do not obey them. But continue to treat them amicably in this world.” [31:15] We do not obey them in that. And we do not stop being kind. So most things stay the same: the meals, the visits, honouring our parents and treating them kindly for as long as they live [17:23], the respect. What changes is where our worship goes. It goes to God alone. And there is no rush to have a hard conversation. We can let our kindness speak first.
Where We Agree and Where the Quran Differs
An honest comparison, in both directions.
| Question | Where many faiths agree | What the Quran teaches |
|---|---|---|
| Is there one God? | Jews, Christians and many others believe in one Creator. | God is one, with no partner, no son and no equal: “Never did He beget. Nor was He begotten. None equals Him.” [112:3-4] |
| Did God send messengers? | Many faiths honour prophets, and Abraham and Moses are shared by three of them. | God sent a messenger to every community [16:36], and they all carried the same message [42:13]. |
| Are earlier scriptures from God? | Many faiths hold their own scriptures as revealed or sacred. | The Torah and the Gospel were “guidance and light” [5:44] [5:46]. The Quran confirms them and supersedes them [5:48]. |
| Is anyone needed between us and God? | Many traditions have priests, saints or intercessors. | No one. “All intercession belongs to GOD.” [39:44] And He says: “Implore Me, and I will respond to you.” [40:60] |
| Does anyone carry another's sins? | Most faiths hold people responsible for what they do, though Christianity teaches that Jesus bore the sins of others. | Each soul answers for itself: “No soul can carry the sins of another soul.” [35:18] |
| Is there a life after this one? | One of the widest agreements of all. | Yes, with perfect justice: “No soul will suffer the least injustice.” [21:47] |
Common Ground
Real common ground, stated simply. Seeing it does not erase our differences. It makes an honest, friendly conversation possible.
One Creator
A great many people believe the universe was made, and that its Maker is worth living for.
Accountability
Most faiths teach that what we do matters beyond this life.
Care for the poor
Giving to people in need is taught across many traditions.
Honesty
A person's word should mean something. Many faiths agree on that.
Honouring parents
Caring for those who raised us is taught almost everywhere.
Prayer
The wish to speak to God is one of the most human things there is.
Fasting
Many traditions practise going without for the sake of God.
Mercy to the vulnerable
Orphans, travellers and the needy are cared for in many scriptures.
How to Have This Conversation Well
Sharing our faith kindly is a skill. Here are a few things that help.
Listen first
Ask what the person in front of us really believes. Don't assume we already know.
Speak gently
God tells us to invite “with wisdom and kind enlightenment” [16:125], and to argue only “in the nicest possible manner” [29:46].
Be fair
Compare like with like. God tells us never to let a conflict push us into injustice [5:8].
Never curse what others worship
God tells us not to, so that they are not provoked into cursing Him [6:108].
Let a difference be a difference
We don't have to settle everything in one conversation. Saying it clearly and kindly is enough.
Leave the rest to God
Guidance belongs to God. “Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.” [16:125]
What the Quran Says
The key verses on this page, together in one place.
He decreed for you the same religion decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: “You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it.” The idol worshipers will greatly resent what you invite them to do. GOD redeems to Himself whomever He wills; He guides to Himself only those who totally submit.[42:13]
One religion, given to every messenger.
We have sent a messenger to every community, saying, “You shall worship GOD, and avoid idolatry.” Subsequently, some were guided by GOD, while others were committed to straying. Roam the earth and note the consequences for the rejectors.[16:36]
A messenger to every community.
Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.[2:62]
Three conditions, not a label.
Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny—all of you—then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.[5:48]
The Quran confirms earlier scriptures, and the differences between us are a test.
O people of the scripture, do not transgress the limits of your religion, and do not say about GOD except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was a messenger of GOD, and His word that He had sent to Mary, and a revelation from Him. Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messengers. You shall not say, “Trinity.” You shall refrain from this for your own good. GOD is only one god. Be He glorified; He is much too glorious to have a son. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. GOD suffices as Lord and Master.[4:171]
Jesus honoured, and the Trinity corrected, for their own good.
Do not argue with the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, & Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner—unless they transgress— and say, “We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters.”[29:46]
How to speak with the people of the scripture.
There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.[2:256]
No compulsion in religion.
GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.[60:8]
Friendship and fairness with peaceful people.
O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.[49:13]
Why we are different, and what really counts.
Growth Prompt
Think of one conversation you had with someone of another faith. Write it down from their side, in their words. Then ask yourself: did they leave that conversation more likely, or less likely, to read the Quran for themselves?
When I talk with someone of another faith, am I trying to understand them, or trying to win?
Keep growing
Every topic on this site connects to the others. Here is where this page leads next.