Will Christians and Jews go to heaven in Islam?
It depends on when and how the message reached them, and only Allah decides. Mainstream Sunni scholarship teaches that Jews and Christians who faithfully followed their prophets before Muhammad ﷺ will be rewarded. After his message came, salvation is through accepting it, but people who never truly heard it are judged by Allah's perfect justice and mercy.
Believers before Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The Quran speaks warmly about sincere followers of earlier prophets:
Most classical commentators explain this verse (and the similar Quran 5:69) as referring to people who followed Moses or Jesus faithfully in their own time. Islam sees them as believers, part of the same chain of prophets.
After the final message
Muslims believe Muhammad ﷺ was sent to all people, and that "whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him" (Quran 3:85). The Prophet ﷺ said that a Jew or Christian who hears about him, does not believe in his message, and dies in that state will be among the people of the Fire (Sahih Muslim 153).
The key words are "hears about me." Scholars understand this as hearing the message clearly and accurately, then rejecting it. See Do I have to believe Jesus isn't God to become Muslim?
What about people who never really heard?
The Quran says: "And never would We punish until We sent a messenger" (Quran 17:15). Many scholars, including Imam al-Ghazali, held that someone who only heard a distorted or hostile picture of Islam is not in the same position as someone who understood it and turned away. Several scholars also mention that such people will be tested on the Day of Judgment. Exactly how Allah judges each person is His alone.
This is why Muslims never point at a specific person, even a beloved relative, and say "you're going to hell." See Will my non-Muslim parents go to hell?
How this shapes a Muslim's attitude
- Humility: no Muslim can guarantee anyone's ending, including their own.
- Sincerity: share Islam kindly and clearly, because it's a gift, not a threat.
- Respect: Jews and Christians hold a special status in Islam as People of the Book.
If you come from a Jewish or Christian background, Islam doesn't ask you to reject Moses or Jesus. It asks you to accept the last prophet who confirmed them. See Can I become Muslim if I'm Jewish?
- Faithful Jews and Christians before Muhammad ﷺ will be rewarded.
- After his message, salvation is through accepting it.
- Those who never truly heard the message are judged with justice and mercy.
- Only Allah knows anyone's final destination.
People also ask
Who are the People of the Book?
People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab) is the Quran's name for Jews and Christians, who have a special status in Islam for food, marriage and dialogue.
Read the full answer →Is the Quran a copy of the Bible?
No, Muslims believe the Quran isn't a copy of the Bible. Both share stories from one divine source, but the Quran confirms, corrects and adds.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe all religions are the same?
No, Muslims don't believe all religions are the same, but they believe every prophet taught one core message: worship the One God.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in the Ten Commandments?
Yes, in spirit: Muslims believe God gave Moses commandments, and nearly all ten are taught in the Quran too. See the parallels.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in reincarnation?
No, Muslims don't believe in reincarnation. Islam teaches one life, then barzakh and resurrection on Judgment Day. Here's why.
Read the full answer →