Criticism of The Quran - Christians and Jews in The Quran

Christians and Jews in The Quran

According to Islam, Christianity is the natural successor of Judaism, making it invalid and Islam is the natural successor of these two by invalidating them and all other religion as God only amended the single course of Monotheism when people went astray or made their religion corrupt, as Surah Fatiha states:

"Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians)." Quran 1:6-7, (Muhsin Khan translation)

These distinctions are clearly explained in Surah Al Bayyinah (Quran: 98)

All other ways, religion are not correct or acceptable to God, according to Islam. Proofs are evident in:

"And they say, "None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian." That is their wishful thinking, Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful." Quran 2:111

"And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers." Quran 3:85

On three occasions in the Quran, it has been said that followers of other religions do not like Islam as it succeeded their corrupt faith.

"It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion. And sufficient is Allah as Witness." Quran 48:28

For similar references, see also Quran 9:33 and Quran 61:9

According to the Quran, Islam historically has no conflict whatsoever with other monotheistic religions as all previous prophets are mentioned as 'Muslims' in Islam and they are equally revered as the Quran states:

"And remember Our slaves, Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaque (Isaac), and Ya'qub (Jacob), (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and (also) of religious understanding. Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing, i.e.) the remembrance of the home . And they are with Us, verily, of the chosen and the best! And remember Isma'il (Ishmael), Al-Yasa'a (Elisha), and Dhul-Kifl (usually identified as Ezekiel, but also as Joshua, Obadiah or Isaiah), all are among the best." Quran 38:45-48

"And that was Our Proof which We gave Ibrahim (Abraham) against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. And We bestowed upon him Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya'qub (Jacob), each of them We guided, and before him, We guided Nuh (Noah), and among his progeny Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Harun (Aaron). Thus do We reward the good-doers. And Zakariya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and 'Iesa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous. And Isma'il (Ishmael) and Al-Yas'a (Elisha), and Yunus (Jonah) and Lout (Lot), and each one of them We preferred above the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of their times). And also some of their fathers and their progeny and their brethren, We chose them, and We guided them to a Straight Path." Quran 6: 83-87

But people who still follow them are, according to Islam, on the wrong way because what was revealed to them at that time either became corrupt or does not exist in present day what the followers claim.

"And they say, "Be Jews or Christians, then you will be guided." Say (to them, O Muhammad Peace be upon him ), "Nay, (We follow) only the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham), Hanifa, and he was not of Al-Mushrikun (those who worshipped others along with Allah - see V.2:105)." Quran 2:135

But it is solely Allah's jurisdiction to judge Jews, Christians or followers of previous scriptures as the Quran states:

"The Jews say "The Christians have nothing to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they recite the Scripture. Thus the polytheists speak the same as their words. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ." Quran 2:113