Only Islam Accepted: Quran 3:85
One of Islam's most uncompromising claims is that it represents the only acceptable religion before God. This assertion is stated explicitly in the Quran and forms a cornerstone of Islamic theology. Surah 3:85 declares: "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." This verse presents a starkly exclusive soteriology that stands in sharp contrast to the popular modern notion that all religions are equally valid paths to God. For those evaluating Islam's truth claims, this verse demands careful examination.
The Quranic Teaching on Religious Exclusivity
The exclusivity of Islam is taught throughout the Quran, not merely in isolated verses. Consider these additional passages:
"Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves." (Quran 3:19)
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." (Quran 5:3)
"And whoever does not believe in Allah and His Messenger - then indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers a Blaze." (Quran 48:13)
These verses establish several key Islamic claims: Islam is the only religion acceptable to Allah; it represents the "perfected" and final revelation; rejection of Muhammad and the Quranic message results in eternal punishment; and previous religions (Judaism and Christianity) have been superseded and are no longer valid.
The Islamic doctrine of tahrif (corruption of previous scriptures) supports this exclusivity. Muslims traditionally believe that while the Torah and Gospels were originally from God, they have been corrupted by Jews and Christians. Therefore, even if someone follows the Bible sincerely, they are following a corrupted text and will not be saved unless they accept Islam.
Implications for Jews and Christians
The Quran's teaching on religious exclusivity has direct implications for how Islam views Judaism and Christianity. While the Quran sometimes refers to Jews and Christians as "People of the Book" with a measure of respect, it ultimately denies that their religions remain valid:
"They have certainly disbelieved who say, 'Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary' while the Messiah has said, 'O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire." (Quran 5:72)
"They have certainly disbelieved who say, 'Allah is the third of three.' And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment." (Quran 5:73)
Christians who affirm Jesus as the Son of God and believe in the Trinity are explicitly labeled as disbelievers (kuffar) who will face divine punishment. The central doctrines of Christianity—Christ's deity, His atoning death, and His resurrection—are all denied in the Quran.
For Jews, the rejection is equally clear. The Quran accuses Jews of killing prophets, corrupting Scripture, and rejecting Muhammad despite allegedly recognizing him as a true prophet. According to Islamic teaching, Jews who do not accept Muhammad and the Quran are destined for hellfire, regardless of their faithfulness to the Torah.
The Problem of Moral Evaluation
Quran 3:85 presents a theological and moral problem: it makes salvation dependent entirely on adherence to a specific religious system rather than on moral character or sincere seeking of truth. According to this verse, a Muslim who commits grave sins may still enter paradise (after possible punishment), while a devout Christian, Jew, Hindu, or Buddhist who lives righteously will be eternally condemned simply for not accepting Islam.
This raises profound questions of justice. Is it just to condemn someone to eternal torment merely for being born into a non-Muslim family and culture, or for sincerely following the religion they were taught, or for finding Islam's claims unpersuasive? Does geography determine destiny—with those born in Saudi Arabia having a vastly higher chance of paradise than those born in Japan?
Islamic theology attempts to address this through several arguments:
1. The fitrah doctrine: Islam teaches that every person is born with an innate knowledge of God and inclination toward Islam (fitrah). Those who reject Islam are therefore rejecting what they know deep down to be true. However, this claim is empirically questionable. Many sincere, thoughtful people examine Islam and find its claims unconvincing for rational reasons, not due to willful rejection of known truth.
2. The universal message claim: Muslims argue that everyone has had opportunity to hear the Islamic message, especially in the modern era. But this historically is not true—billions lived and died before Muhammad without any opportunity to hear his message. Even today, many people's only exposure to Islam is through extremist violence in the news, hardly a fair presentation of the religion's claims.
3. The test of sincerity: Some Muslim scholars suggest that God will judge people based on whether they sincerely sought truth. However, this is difficult to reconcile with the explicit language of Quran 3:85, which makes no exception for sincere seekers who don't reach Islamic conclusions.
Comparison with Other Exclusive Claims
Islam is not alone in making exclusive truth claims. Christianity also teaches that Jesus is the only way to salvation: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). However, there are significant differences in how these exclusive claims function:
1. Basis of salvation: Christianity teaches salvation through faith in Christ's atoning work, not through adherence to a religious system of laws. The focus is on Christ's accomplishment, not human religious performance. Islam requires submission to Islamic law and practice.
2. Treatment of adherents of previous revelation: Christianity affirms that the Old Testament remains God's Word and that faithful Jews before Christ who trusted in God's promises were saved (Hebrews 11). Islam claims previous scriptures are corrupted and that even prophets like Moses and Abraham were actually Muslims who taught Islam.
3. Evidential basis: Christianity points to Jesus' miracles, fulfilled prophecies, and especially His resurrection as evidence for its claims. Islam's primary evidence is the Quran itself, which Muslims claim is miraculous but which critics find unpersuasive. Muhammad performed no publicly verifiable miracles according to the Quran itself (17:90-93).
4. Character of the founder: Jesus lived a sinless life of sacrificial love, dying for His enemies. Muhammad led armies in conquest, ordered assassinations, and built a political empire. The character contrast raises questions about whose exclusive claims are more credible.
The Problem of Timing
If Islam is the only acceptable religion, what happened to the billions of people who lived before Muhammad? Were they all condemned regardless of their moral character or sincere religious devotion? This seems to conflict with basic notions of divine justice.
Islamic theology responds that all the prophets taught Islam, so people in previous eras could follow their contemporary prophet's teaching. However, this claim is historically implausible. The religion of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus—as documented in their respective scriptures—differs markedly from Islam in theology and practice. The Quran's claim that these figures were all Muslims requires rejecting the historical records we have about them in favor of Muhammad's much later reinterpretations.
Biblical Contrast: Salvation by Grace Through Faith
The biblical gospel presents a radically different picture of salvation. Rather than acceptance based on adherence to a religious system, Christianity teaches salvation as a gift received by faith:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation is based on Christ's work, not human religious performance:
"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5)
The exclusivity of Christianity is centered on a person (Jesus Christ) and His accomplishment (His atoning death and resurrection), not on adherence to a religious system:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
This exclusivity is based on the unique nature of Christ—He is God incarnate, and only God can atone for sin against God. The Christian claim is not "our religious system is better than yours" but "God Himself came to rescue us."
Furthermore, Christianity teaches that salvation has always been by grace through faith, even before Christ's coming. Abraham "believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). The Old Testament saints were saved by faith in God's promises, which found their fulfillment in Christ.
The Question of Evidence
When a religion makes exclusive claims, it bears the burden of providing compelling evidence for those claims. Islam points primarily to the Quran as its evidence, claiming it is a miraculous text that could not have been produced by humans. However, literary excellence (if we grant that claim) does not prove divine origin. Many texts are beautifully written without being revelations from God.
Christianity points to historical events—particularly the resurrection of Jesus—as evidence for its claims. The resurrection is either a historical fact or it is not. If it occurred, it validates Jesus' claims about Himself. If it did not occur, Christianity falls. As Paul wrote: "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17).
The resurrection is supported by multiple lines of historical evidence: the empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances to multiple witnesses, the transformation of the disciples from fearful deniers to bold martyrs, the conversion of skeptics like James and Paul, and the emergence of the early church. These are historical facts that require explanation.
Islam offers no comparable historical evidence. Muhammad's night journey to heaven is claimed but unwitnessed. The Quran's alleged miraculous nature is subjective. The rapid spread of Islam is cited, but many religions have spread rapidly through military conquest and cultural factors.
Questions to Consider
- Is it just for God to condemn someone to eternal torment merely for not accepting Islam, regardless of their moral character or sincere religious seeking?
- If Islam is the only acceptable religion, what happened to the billions who lived before Muhammad?
- What evidence does Islam provide for its exclusive claims? Is the evidence sufficient to warrant such an absolute position?
- How does Islamic exclusivity differ from Christian exclusivity in terms of basis, evidence, and implications?
- If someone is born in a non-Muslim country and culture, are they effectively predestined to hell by circumstances of birth?
- Does the doctrine of fitrah adequately explain why sincere, thoughtful people find Islam's claims unpersuasive?
- What does it mean that salvation in Islam depends on following the right religious system rather than on sincere relationship with God or moral character?