The Qur’an presents the religion of Abraham (a.s.) as the standard of reason and spiritual growth, viewing any departure from it as a sign of folly. By straying from the pure monotheism of Abraham, Jews and Christians introduced elements of polytheism and self-serving innovations into their beliefs. They then proclaimed these altered doctrines as the true religion and invalidated all others. Jews asserted that Judaism was the sole path to salvation, while Christians claimed that Christianity was the only way to be saved: “They say, ‘Be Jews or Christians, then you will be guided’” (Quran 2:135).
This does not mean they each saw the other as equally valid. Rather, the Jews said, “Be Jews and nothing else,” while the Christians insisted, “Be Christians and nothing else.” Thus, Jews denied salvation to all non-Jews, and Christians denied salvation to all non-Christians: “And they say, ‘None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian.’ That is [merely] their wishful thinking” (Quran 2:111). Each group claimed exclusive rights to Paradise.
The Qur’an further illustrates this mutual excommunication by recounting their judgments against each other: “The Jews say, ‘The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews have nothing to stand on’” (Quran 2:113).
This exclusionary attitude extended to Islam as well. Both groups viewed Muslims as misguided and insisted that salvation required adopting their respective faiths: “And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion” (Quran 2:120). God conveyed to the Prophet Muhammad that no matter what signs, proofs, or miracles he presented, they would neither accept him nor follow each other’s direction: “And if you brought to those who were given the Scripture every sign, they would not follow your direction. Nor will you follow their direction. Nor would they follow one another’s direction” (Quran 2:145).
The root of this exclusivism lies not in evidence or reason, but in prejudice. Despite possessing portions of a divine scripture, they aligned themselves with idols and false deities (jibt and ṭāghūt) and considered polytheists more advanced and civilized than Muslims: “Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in idols and false deities and say about the disbelievers, ‘These are better guided than the believers as to the way’?” (Quran 4:51). This preference for polytheists was not about spiritual guidance or Paradise, but rather a worldly admiration for material and societal progress.
Reference: Tafsir al-Tasnim (under verse 2:135)
