The Quran calls Christians and Jews the "People of the Book" (Ahl al-Kitab), because they received earlier scriptures, and it honors their prophets, including Moses and Jesus. It praises the sincere and righteous among them, disagrees with some of their beliefs, and asks Muslims to deal with them justly, kindly and in "a way that is best."
This guide sets out the main verses in context, for Muslims and for Christians, Jews and others curious about what Islam's scripture actually says.
Key takeaways
- The Quran uses the title "People of the Scripture" or "People of the Book" for Jews and Christians, recognizing the Torah and the Gospel as revelations from God.
- Muslims must believe in all of God's prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus (Quran 2:136).
- The Quran praises many Jews and Christians for faith, prayer and good deeds, saying "They are not [all] the same" (Quran 3:113).
- It disagrees with certain beliefs, especially the Trinity and the idea that God has a son, and invites dialogue on the shared belief in one God (Quran 3:64).
- Muslims are told there is "no compulsion" in religion (2:256) and are encouraged to be righteous and just toward peaceful people of every faith (60:8).
Who are the People of the Book?
In Arabic, Ahl al-Kitab means "people of the scripture." The Quran mainly uses this phrase for Jews and Christians, who received the Torah and the Gospel before the Quran was revealed. It describes both books in warm terms, saying of the Torah, "We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light" (Quran 5:44), and of the Gospel:
And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.
"Allah" is the Arabic word for God, the same word Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use. Muslims believe the Quran is the final revelation in this line, and it describes itself as "confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture" (Quran 5:48).
Do Muslims believe in Moses and Jesus?
Yes. Belief in all of God's prophets is part of Muslim faith, and the Quran tells believers to say so openly.
Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."
Moses is the prophet mentioned by name most often in the Quran. Jesus is called the Messiah, a messenger and "a word" from God, and his mother Mary has a whole chapter named after her. You can read more in our guides to Jesus in the Quran, Mary in the Quran and the wider list of prophets in the Quran.
What does the Quran say about Christians?
The Quran speaks of Christians with notable warmth. A well-known passage contrasts the attitudes different groups showed toward the early Muslim community.
You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, "We are Christians." That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.
Commentators such as Ibn Kathir connect this passage to the Christian king of Abyssinia (the Negus), who sheltered persecuted Muslims, and to Christians who wept when they heard the Quran recited (Quran 5:83). The verse describes the situation the first Muslims faced in their own time. It praises humility and devotion rather than making a permanent judgment about every individual.
The Quran also states its disagreements clearly but without insult. Its main concern is the belief in one God.
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.
Even here, Jesus is honored as God's messenger and "His word." The disagreement is about who he is, not his worth. Our Quran vs Bible guide compares the two accounts in more detail.
What does the Quran say about Jews?
The Quran speaks about the Children of Israel at great length, more than about almost any other community. It recalls that God chose them, sent them many prophets and gave them the Torah. Moses' story alone appears across dozens of chapters.
It also records moments when some of them broke their covenant, as it records failings among Muslims and other peoples. These passages are meant as lessons for every reader, including Muslims, about the danger of taking a gift from God for granted. The Quran is careful not to generalize.
They are not [all] the same; among the People of the Scripture is a community standing [in obedience], reciting the verses of Allah during periods of the night and prostrating [in prayer].
The following verse adds that "they believe in Allah and the Last Day" and "hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous" (Quran 3:114). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lived alongside Jewish neighbors in Medina. Sahih al-Bukhari records that he stood up when the funeral of a Jewish man passed by, and when asked why, said, "Is it not a soul?"
Can Christians and Jews go to heaven according to the Quran?
This is one of the most asked questions, and the Quran addresses it in a verse that appears twice, in slightly different forms.
Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans [before Prophet Muhammad] - those [among them] who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
The words in brackets reflect the mainstream Sunni reading, found in Ibn Kathir and others. On this view, the verse refers to those who faithfully followed their prophets before Muhammad, and after his coming, accepting his message is part of true faith (see Quran 3:85). Other readings of the verse exist, and scholars discuss them in the tafsir literature.
Muslim scholars also teach that God judges with perfect justice and mercy, and that people who never truly received the message are not held to account in the same way. Final judgment belongs to God alone.
What does the Quran say about other religions and respecting them?
Beyond Jews and Christians, the Quran sets out principles for how Muslims relate to people of every faith. The most famous is the principle of free belief.
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
The Quran also tells Muslims that kindness and justice toward peaceful people of other faiths are something God loves.
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
It even describes the protection of places of worship as part of God's plan, listing "monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned" (Quran 22:40). And it treats human diversity as a test rather than a problem: "To each of you We prescribed a law and a method," and it tells people to "race to [all that is] good" (Quran 5:48).
What does Surah al-Kafirun mean?
Surah al-Kafirun (chapter 109) ends with the line "For you is your religion, and for me is my religion" (Quran 109:6). Commentators explain it was revealed in Mecca when idol-worshipping leaders proposed that the Prophet take turns worshipping their gods. The surah is a clear refusal to mix worship, and it is also often cited as a statement that each person is responsible for their own faith.
How should Muslims talk with Christians and Jews?
The Quran gives direct instructions for dialogue. It asks for courtesy and points to common ground first.
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."
Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."
Notice that 3:64 ends without threat. If the other side declines, the Muslim simply states their own faith. The Quran also allows Muslims to share food with the People of the Book and permits Muslim men to marry Jewish and Christian women (Quran 5:5), which shows how close the relationship is meant to be.
Read these passages on Quran Universe
Each verse in this guide can be opened on Quran Universe with the Arabic text, Sahih International translation, word-by-word meanings, a short verse card on its context, and the full Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Surah al-Maidah and Surah Ali 'Imran are the best places to start.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Quran call Christians and Jews?
The Quran calls them Ahl al-Kitab, the "People of the Book" or "People of the Scripture." The title recognizes that they received earlier revelations from God, the Torah and the Gospel.
Does the Quran say anything positive about Christians?
Yes. Quran 5:82 describes Christians as "the nearest of them in affection to the believers" because among them are devoted priests and monks who "are not arrogant." Other verses, such as 3:113–114 and 3:199, praise sincere and righteous members of the People of the Book.
What does the Quran say about respecting other religions?
The Quran says, "There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion" (2:256). It teaches that God loves those who are righteous and just toward peaceful people of other faiths (60:8), and it tells Muslims to discuss faith with Jews and Christians only "in a way that is best" (29:46).
Where does the Quran disagree with Christianity?
The main disagreement is about the nature of God and Jesus. The Quran honors Jesus as the Messiah and a messenger of God but rejects the Trinity and the belief that God has a son (4:171). It invites Christians to a "common word" of worshipping one God (3:64).
Is Allah the same God that Jews and Christians worship?
"Allah" is the Arabic word for God, used by Arab Christians and Jews as well as Muslims. The Quran tells Muslims to say to the People of the Book, "our God and your God is one" (29:46), while acknowledging differences in how God is understood.