Salaam to the reader. In’shallah you will see that this is not a contradiction but a misunderstanding of the Qur’an.

From me, Osama Abdallah: Also, please visit: Deuteronomy 4:2 clearly declares that the Bible is corrupt!  Also, what does the Noble Quran say about the Bible's Law!  In this article, I've covered this topic in great details where I proved that the Mosaic Law is the Law and the Book that the People of the Book must follow.  Not only that, but I've also demonstrated that even the Bible's laws all revolve around the Mosaic Law and constantly make references to it.

 

He wrote:

The Quran states that Allah accepts the righteous deeds of a believer:

And whosoever does deeds of righteousness, being a believer, no unthankfulness shall befall his endeavour; We Ourselves write it down for him. S. 21:94 Arberry

My Response:

Yes, this is true.

He Wrote:

The Quran places Jews and Christians within this category:

Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. S. 2:62

Surely, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah, in His Messenger Muhammad SAW and all that was revealed to him from Allah), those who are the Jews and the Sabians and the Christians, - whosoever believed in Allah and the Last Day, and worked righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. S. 5:69

My Response:

I will make my point with the second verse first.

Why did you leave out the verse that comes before it?

(Y. Ali  Noble Qur'an, 5:69)Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.

The verse above clearly says that they can not say anything unless they follow the Law, the Gospel and all the revelation (this now includes the Qur'an).

Qur'an has claimed before, that the People of the Book (i.e. Christians and Jews) have concealed the Truth and/or corrupted it, there for they can’t be true Christians, nor Jews.

"Know they not Allah Knoweth what they conceal and what they reveal? And there are among them illiterates, who know not the Book but (see therein their own) desires, and they do nothing but conjecture. Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: 'This is from Allah,' to traffic with it for a miserable price! Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.” (The Noble Qur'an, 2:77-79)

 

The Book refers to the book of the People of the Book (aka. Men of Faith), which section 9 in Chapter 2 talks about. The Noble Qur'an clearly says that the Book was corrupted by men, “those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: 'This is from Allah,”. It can’t get any clearer then that!

The same can be said for the first verse. I know what the writer has said further in the article about what I’m writing right now, but you will see that it is not the case.

He Wrote:

These passages seem to be pretty clear-cut: Jews and Christians are not required to become Muslims in order to be saved. They simply must believe that God exists, that there is a Day in which he will resurrect and judge mankind (i.e. "the Last Day"), and do what is right.

My Response:

I will separate my points to make it easier to understand.

1) Muslim means “One who submits to Allah”

2) If one submits their will to Allah then they are infect Muslim.

3) If a person disagrees with Allah (i.e. by rejecting the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)), that person can not be considered Muslim.

The Qur'an criticizes those who reject the Truth (Qur'an), including Christians and Jews. Example:

(The Noble Qur'an, 5:82) Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.

(The Noble Qur'an, 5:83) And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: they pray: "Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses.

From here it can be clear as crystal that the True Christians and Jews will convert to Islam because they will recognize the Truth.

Another point, the verse does not say “believe that God exists”, it says “whoever believes in Allah”. Like I said on my point 3, how can one believe in Allah and not believe the Qur'an? When the Qur'an mentions the Christians and the Jews with the Believers it means, the Christians and Jews that are mentioned in 5:82 and 5:83.

1)     Believers, Christians, and Jews, those who believe in Allah and the Last Day will not be in vein.(5:69)

2)     Christians (and Jews) who truly believe in Allah will convert to Islam. (5:83)

The verses 5:82 and 5:83 are for that time only. Jews and Pagans at the time the verse was revealed were among the strongest haters of Islam, but Christian on the other hand, weren’t. Among Christians there were who converted.

He Wrote:

Yet the foregoing expressly contradicts other statements that say that Islam is the only acceptable religion and that even speak out against embracing the Jewish and Christian faiths!

And they say, "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." These are their own desires. Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him), "Produce your proof if you are truthful." Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allah's sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame, etc., and in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him) then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [See Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol.1, Page 154]. The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing (i.e. are not on the right religion); and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing (i.e. are not on the right religion); though they both recite the Scripture. Like unto their word, said (the pagans) who know not. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they have been differing. S. 2:111-113

My Response:

The verse you gave are:

(The Noble Qur'an, 2:111)  And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."

(The Noble Qur'an, 2:112) Nay,-whoever submits His whole self to God and is a doer of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

(The Noble Qur'an, 2:113) The Jews say: "The Christians have naught (to stand) upon; and the Christians say: "The Jews have naught (To stand) upon." Yet they (Profess to) study the (same) Book. Like unto their word is what those say who know not; but God will judge between them in their quarrel on the Day of Judgment.

First, you have greatly taken the verses out of context. The verse 2:113 is in a different section and has almost nothing to do with 2:111, and 2:112.

Verses 2:111-2:112 says you don’t have to be a Christian or a Jew to go to Heaven, all who submit their self to God and do good deeds will go to heaven. But how can one submit his self to God and deny his Word at the same time? That is where Islam comes in. Islam believes in all true revelations sent by Allah.

The verse 2:113 says that they both study the same book which is the OT, the Jews do not study the NT (no Jew has ever claimed to do so, if he did, he would be a Christian), and Allah will judge them.

Read section 14 of Surah 2. The last 2 verses clearly prove my points.

(The Noble Qur'an, 2:120)Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of God,-that is the (only) Guidance." Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against God.

(The Noble Qur'an, 2:121)Those to whom We have sent the Book study it as it should be studied: They are the ones that believe therein: Those who reject faith therein,- the loss is their own.

The Qur'an claims that the Books before the Qur'an has been altered, so they can no longer be studies as they should be studied. So the Book can only be in this case, the Qur’an.

He Wrote:

Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account. S. 3:19

Ibrahim (Abraham) was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism - to worship none but Allah Alone) and he was not of Al-Mushrikun (See V.2:105). S. 3:67

Do they seek other than the religion of Allah (the true Islamic Monotheism worshipping none but Allah Alone), while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "We believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob) and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)] and what was given to Musa (Moses), 'Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allah) we have submitted (in Islam)." And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. S. 3:83-85

… This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion… S. 5:3

Furthermore, the Quran says that Jews and Christians are condemned for believing in the Deity of God’s messengers such as Jesus and Ezra:

Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers. Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them. S. 5:72-73

And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allah's Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth! S. 9:30

In light of the foregoing, how can the Quran promise Jews and Christians a reward from their Lord for believing in him and doing good when they are not Muslims and hold to the divinity of specific prophets?

In order to avoid the problem some Muslims are inclined to understand the word Islam not as the religion itself but as a reference to submission, which is its the literal meaning. In this sense anyone submitting to God would be a Muslim whose path is essentially Islam even if they happen to label themselves as Jews or Christians.

My Response:

Sometimes Islam is references as a religion but sometimes it is referenced as “Submission to Allah”. It depends on where it is used. I have replied to your other point, above. Overall Islam is the only religion there is because it is submission to Allah. The Qur'an does not recognize other religions as the Truth. Even Christians or Jews who believe in Islam are considered to be Muslim because they also have to believe in the Qur'an, or else they can’t be true believers.

He Wrote:

The main problem with this assertion is that this is not how the Quran defines Islam, simply in a generic sense meaning submission, but as a distinct religion from both Judaism and Christianity as Q. 2:111 and 3:67 clearly show. It is even specifically identified as a religion in both Q. 3:19 and 83-85.

In fact, the Quran claims that the name Muslim was given to prophets long before Muhammad:

And strive hard in Allah's Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islamic Monotheism). It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur'an), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), give Zakat and hold fast to Allah [i.e. have confidence in Allah, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper! S. 22:78

Here is how some of the classical Muslim commentators exegeted this text:

<(He has named you Muslims both before and in this (Qur'an),>

Imam `Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak said, narrating from Ibn Jurayj, from `Ata', from Ibn `Abbas: concerning Allah's saying, …

<He has named you Muslims before>

"This refers to Allah, may He be glorified." This was also the view of Mujahid, `Ata', Ad-Dahhak, As-Suddi, Muqatil bin Hayyan and Qatadah. Mujahid said, "Allah named you Muslims before, in the PREVIOUS BOOKS and in Adh-Dhikr, …

<and in this> means, the Qur'an." This was also the view of others, because Allah says…

<He has chosen you, and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship>

Then He urged them to follow the Message which His Messenger brought, by reminding them that this was the religion of their father Ibrahim. Then He mentioned His blessings to this Ummah, whereby He mentioned them and praised them long ago in the Books of the Prophets which were recited to the rabbis and monks. Allah says:

<He has named you Muslims both before> meaning, before the Qur'an, …

<and in this.> Under the explanation of this Ayah, An-Nasa'i recorded from Al-Harith Al-Ash`ari from the Messenger of Allah, who said…

((Whoever adopts the call of Jahiliyyah, will be one of those who will crawl on their knees in Hell.))

A man said, "O Messenger of Allah, even if he fasts and performs Salah?" He said…

((Yes, even if he fasts and performs Salah. So adopt the call of Allah whereby He called you Muslims and believers and servants of Allah.)) (Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged) (Surat Al-Isra’, Verse 39 To the end of Surat Al-Mu’minun), abridged by a group of scholars under the supervision of Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri [Darussalam Distributors & Publishers, Riyadh, Houston, New York, Lahore; First Edition: July 2000], Volume 6, pp. 625-626; bold and capital emphasis mine)

(And strive for Allah with the endeavour which is His right) and fulfil for Allah that which is His right. (He hath chosen you) for His religion (and hath not laid upon you in religion) in the matter of religion (any hardship) He says: whoever cannot pray standing, let him pray sitting; and whoever cannot pray sitting, let him pray lying down, just by making gestures; (the faith of your father Abraham) follow the religion of your father Abraham. (He hath named you) Allah named you (Muslims of old time) before this Qur’an, in the Scriptures of past prophets (and in this (Scripture)) i.e. the Qur’an, (that the messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (may be a witness against you) against the disbelievers and in favour of the believers, (and that ye may be witnesses against mankind) in favour of the prophets. (So establish worship) perform the five daily prayers, by perfecting their ablutions, bowing, prostration and that which is prescribed in their appointed times, (pay the poor-due) from your wealth, (and hold fast to Allah) and hold fast to Allah’s religion and Scripture. (He is your Protecting Friend. A blessed Patron) Protector (and a blessed Helper) Who will defend you!’ (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs; source; bold emphasis ours)

Thus, the Quran believes that even before Muhammad’s time the prophets and believers were identified with the label Muslim! In other words, their religion wasn’t Jewish or Christian but Islam and that is why they were named Muslims. This also explains why Q. 3:67 identifies Abraham as a Muslim and shows that the Quran does not define the word Islam merely in a generic sense so that anyone submitting to God is in reality a Muslim irrespective of whether such a person happens to call him/herself a Jew, Christian, Hindu etc. For more on this point we recommend the following article: http://./Quran/Contra/muslims_before.htm

My Response:

Interesting how you missed the points from your own quotes. Islam was given to the previous prophets as a religion because they believed in Allah and what Allah has revealed to them. Today, we are Muslims because we believe in Allah and what he has revealed to us (the Qur'an).

Like I said, one can’t be a Muslim if one goes against the Word of Allah.

He Wrote:

Some may also argue that the Quran is referring only to those Jews and Christians who affirm absolute monotheism, or the Islamic concept of Divine unity, not to those who embrace the divinity of prophets such as Jesus. The problem with this assertion is that these texts do not make such a qualification, i.e. that only those Jews and Christians who believe in Islamic Tauhid will receive a reward from their Lord. Besides, it is a matter of historical record that both Jews and orthodox Christians adhere to the unity of God, despite the fact of Muslims being unsatisfied with the monotheism of such groups and their criticisms against doctrines such as the Christian Trinity.

My Response:

That is where mine (and the Qur'an) and your view defiantly differ. Allah says Christians blaspheme by glorifying Jesus as Son of God:

(The Noble Qur'an, 2:135)They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (To salvation)." Say thou: "Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with God."

(The Noble Qur'an, 2:116)They say: "God hath begotten a son" :Glory be to Him.-Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: everything renders worship to Him.

The Qur'an clearly says not to worship Jesus and considers Jesus as a Prophet and claims that by worshipping Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Christians are joining gods with God.

Trinity is debatable and www.answering-christianity.com has great proof and evidence that is against Trinity.

He Wrote:

Additionally, the Quran warns against accepting only certain messengers and books of God, while rejecting some others:

After this, it is you who kill one another and drive out a party of you from their homes, assist (their enemies) against them, in sin and transgression. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although their expulsion was forbidden to you. Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. S. 2:85

Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers (by believing in Allah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, "We believe in some but reject others," and wish to adopt a way in between. S. 4:150

Historically, Judaism has always rejected John the Baptist, Jesus Christ and Muhammad as messengers from God, while Christianity rejects Muhammad as a true prophet/messenger. Furthermore, Jews do not accept the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ or the Quran with Christians rejecting the Quran as revelation. How, then, can people remain in these religions without violating the preceding Quranic statements? And how can Allah promise that such people will have no need to fear but will receive a reward from him?

My Response:

I have already explained this above.

He Wrote:

Moreover, by rejecting certain messengers and books these individuals have become disbelievers. The Quran emphatically says that Allah will never accept the righteous deeds of the unbelievers:

It is not for the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), to maintain the Mosques of Allah (i.e. to pray and worship Allah therein, to look after their cleanliness and their building, etc.), while they witness against their ownselves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide. S. 9:17

Like those before you, they were mightier than you in power, and more abundant in wealth and children. They had enjoyed their portion awhile, so enjoy your portion awhile as those before you enjoyed their portion awhile; and you indulged in play and pastime (and in telling lies against Allah and His Messenger Muhammad SAW) as they indulged in play and pastime. Such are they whose deeds are in vain in this world and in the Hereafter. Such are they who are the losers. S. 9:69

They will say: "Did there not come to you, your Messengers with (clear) evidences and signs? They will say: "Yes." They will reply: "Then call (as you like)! And the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but in error!" S. 40:50

Again, how can a person remain a Jew or Christian and have his righteous deeds accepted when s/he rejects some of the very messengers and scriptures that the Quran says must be fully embraced and believe in?

All citations taken from the Hilali-Khan version of the Quran.

My Response:

Exactly. The Qur'an, when referencing to Jews and Christians, sometimes references to the True Jews and Christians who will see the Truth and convert to Islam, while the rest will get punishment and blaspheme, which clearly means they are not real Christians and Jews but they call them selves as such. The Qur'an has mention accounts where Christians and Jews conceal and/or corrupt their beliefs and books.

The Qur'an differs the True Beleivers from the false believers.