Following False Religions - What About Jews and Christians?

[Reader Questions]

Brother Joseph,

How can these 2 verses contradict each other? Is it possible that Allah is referring to Jews and Christians of Moses and Jesus time alone? And is it possible that current day Jews and Christians are not real and instead should follow islam alone? I am puzzled!

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good)."
ومن يبتغ غير الإسلام دينا فلن يقبل منه وهو في الآخرة من الخاسرين
[Quran 3:85]

"Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."
إن الذين آمنوا والذين هادوا والنصارى والصابئين من آمن بالله واليوم الآخر وعمل صالحا فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون
[Quran 2:62]

[Joseph Islam]

As-salam alaykum

Verse 3:85 is a reference to 'false religions' i.e. any false religion. Please not reference [2] below where I explained this by saying:

" Also many make use of these verses to proclaim that Islam also came to prevail over Christianity and Judaism.  As was shared in the following article [1] regarding verse 9:33
 
009.033
“It is He Who has sent His messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to proclaim it over all religion (Arabic: - dini) / systems, even though the Pagans / Idolaters (Arabic: Mushrikeen) may detest it”
 
Many Muslims incorrectly make use of the above verse to imply that Islam has come to be proclaimed and conquered over Christianity and Judaism, even though the verse clearly refers to ‘idolaters’. Not only is the context misunderstood completely but a true understanding of the term ‘Deen’ from a Quran’s perspective is never appreciated.
 
This verse clearly informs the reader that proclamation is over any ‘system’ which is false. This should be obvious given the clear mention of ‘idolaters’ by way of an example. Today there are practices even amongst Muslims that clearly fall foul of the system of true Islam instituted by scripture in that they seek assistance and help through other entities besides God - rather than through God directly."

The Quran recognises 'Christians and Jews' that follow their Scriptures correctly and those that do not. Those that do follow their Scriptures properly with correct beliefs / doctrines and do good actions will arguably find felicity with God. Verses 2:62 and 5:69 appear to confirm this.

I hope that helps, God willing
Joseph


REFERENCES:

[1] WHAT IS THE TRUE DEFINITION OF 'DEEN' FROM A QURAN'S PERSPECTIVE?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/what%20is%20the%20true%20defintion%20of%20deen%20FM3.htm
[2] Islam Will Conquer Over All Religions
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1192.0
[3] MUSLIM AND MU'MIN (BELIEVER) - THE DIFFERENCE
http://quransmessage.com/articles/muslim%20mumin%20FM3.htm
[4] PEOPLE OF THE BOOK (JEWS & CHRISTIANS)
http://quransmessage.com/articles/people%20of%20the%20book%20FM3.htm
[5] MARRIAGE WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
http://quransmessage.com/articles/marriage%20with%20people%20of%20the%20book%20FM3.htm