Introduction
One of the most important questions for anyone studying Islam is: How does Islam see other religions?
Islam has a distinct and thoughtful answer to this question — one that neither dismisses previous faiths nor accepts them as equally valid in their current form. Understanding the Islamic perspective on other religions is essential for understanding what Islam claims to be and why.
The Islamic Claim: One Message, Many Prophets
Islam's core claim is not that it is a new religion that appeared in the 7th century. Its claim is that it is the same message that ALLAH has always sent — restored and completed through the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him).
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
“And We did not send any messenger before you except that We revealed to him: there is no deity worthy of worship except Me, so worship Me.”
From Adam to Ibrahim (Abraham) to Musa (Moses) to Isa (Jesus) to Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Them All) — Islam teaches that ALLAH sent prophets and messengers to guide every nation, all with the same essential call: worship ALLAH alone.
The People of the Book
The Quran uses the term Ahl al-Kitab (People of the Book) to refer to Jews and Christians — people who received earlier scriptures from ALLAH.
قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَآءٍۭ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ
“Say: O People of the Book, come to a word that is common between us and you — that we worship none but ALLAH.”
The Quran speaks to Jews and Christians with respect while also explaining where Islam believes those earlier traditions changed or moved away from the original revelation. This is a central theme in the Quran: the call back to pure monotheism.
What Islam Shares With Judaism and Christianity
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity share a common Abrahamic heritage. Key shared beliefs and figures include:
Shared Beliefs:
- Belief in one God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth
- Belief in the prophets — including Adam, Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and many others (Peace Be Upon Them All)
- Belief in angels
- Belief in revelation — that ALLAH communicated with prophets and sent guidance
- Belief in a Day of Judgment and accountability after death
- Emphasis on prayer, charity, moral living, and justice
Shared Figures: Musa (Moses) is mentioned more times in the Quran than any other prophet. Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him) is honored deeply in Islam as a mighty messenger and prophet born miraculously to Maryam (Mary) (Peace Be Upon Her). Ibrahim (Abraham) (Peace Be Upon Him) is called Khalilullah — the Friend of ALLAH.
قُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ
“Say: We have believed in ALLAH and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), and the descendants, and what was given to Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims in submission to Him.”
Key Differences
While Islam shares much with Judaism and Christianity, there are significant theological differences.
The Trinity
Islam firmly rejects the concept of the Trinity. Islam teaches strict Tawheed — the absolute and undivided oneness of ALLAH. ALLAH does not have a son, a partner, or any equal.
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
“He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.”
This is not a rejection of Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him) — Islam honors him deeply as a prophet. It is a rejection of any doctrine that assigns divine or semi-divine status to any being other than ALLAH.
The Status of Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him)
In Islam, Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him) is:
- A mighty prophet and messenger of ALLAH
- Born miraculously to Maryam (Mary) (Peace Be Upon Her) — a great miracle by ALLAH's command
- Given miracles including healing the blind and raising the dead by ALLAH's permission
- The Messiah — honored with this title in the Quran
- Not divine, not the Son of God in a literal sense, not part of a Trinity
- Not crucified — the Quran says he was raised by ALLAH and his enemies were deceived
Islam teaches that Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him) will return before the Day of Judgment.
The Torah and the Gospel
Islam acknowledges that ALLAH sent the Torah (Tawrat) to Musa (Moses) (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Gospel (Injeel) to Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him). However, Islam teaches that these original revelations were altered over time by human hands. The scriptures that exist today — the Bible and its various translations and versions — are not considered to be those original revelations in their preserved form.
This explains why the Quran's accounts of some stories differ from the Biblical accounts.
Salvation and Atonement
Christianity teaches that salvation comes through belief in the atoning death of Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him). Islam teaches that each person is directly accountable to ALLAH for their own faith and deeds. There is no original sin in Islam in the Christian sense, no intermediary needed for forgiveness, and no vicarious atonement. ALLAH forgives directly upon sincere repentance.
Islam and Judaism
Islam and Judaism share a strong emphasis on monotheism and the prophets. Both reject the Trinity and the divinity of Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him). Both have detailed systems of religious law governing daily life.
Key differences include:
- Islam accepts Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him) as a prophet; Judaism does not.
- Islam accepts the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) as the final messenger; Judaism does not.
- Islam holds that the Torah was altered and that the Quran is the final preserved revelation.
- Islamic law and Jewish law have some similar areas (dietary restrictions, prayer) with many differences in content.
The Quran's Tone Toward Other Faiths
The Quran's tone toward People of the Book is not uniformly hostile. It varies:
- It praises those among them who are sincere, just, and close to what was revealed:
وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰٓ
“And you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say: We are Christians.”
- It warns against those who rejected prophets, altered scriptures, or opposed the truth.
- It consistently calls toward what is common: pure monotheism and submission to ALLAH.
Islam Is Not a Religion of Contempt
An important clarification for Muslim readers: Islam does not teach contempt for other faiths or their followers. Muslims are required to believe in all the prophets. The Quran tells Muslims to speak to People of the Book with what is best:
وَلَا تُجَٰدِلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ
“And do not argue with the People of the Book except in a way that is best.”
Dialogue and respectful discussion are encouraged. Mockery, contempt, and insults toward other religions or their followers are not the Islamic approach.
Key Takeaways
- Islam claims to be the restored and completed form of the one message all prophets brought.
- The Quran acknowledges and respects previous scriptures while teaching they were altered over time.
- Islam shares with Judaism and Christianity belief in one God, the prophets, revelation, and the Hereafter.
- Islam firmly rejects the Trinity and any divine status for Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him), while honoring him as a mighty prophet.
- Key differences include: the status of Isa (Jesus), the concept of atonement, and the authenticity of current scriptures.
- The Quran instructs Muslims to engage People of the Book in the best possible manner.
Deeper Reading in This Section
- Islam and Christianity — A thorough comparison of the two faiths
- Islam and Judaism — Shared roots, shared prophets, and key differences
- Shared Prophets — The prophets both Islam and the Abrahamic faiths know
- The Concept of Prophethood — What prophethood means in Islam
- Previous Scriptures in Islam — How Islam understands the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel
- Why Muhammad ﷺ After Isa (Jesus)? — Why Islam teaches there is a final prophet after Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon Him)
References
Quran
- Quran 21:25 — Every messenger was sent with: worship ALLAH alone
- Quran 3:64 — Come to a common word between us: worship none but ALLAH
- Quran 2:136 — Believers make no distinction between any of ALLAH's messengers
- Quran 112:3–4 — ALLAH begets not and was not begotten
- Quran 5:82 — Christians praised for sincerity
- Quran 29:46 — Engage People of the Book in the best possible manner
All Quran translations in this article follow The Noble Quran, translated by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Exact wording must be verified against the printed edition before final publication.