Will Christians enter Jannah?
Will Christians be allowed into Jannah?
Christianity is actually a divine religion that was revealed upon Isa (Jesus) alaihassalam by Allah (swt) and like all other divine religions, it conveys the message of tawhid, oneness of God. For three years, Prophet Jesus preached the message of Christianity till he was ascended to the heaven. Within 80 years after his ascension, his disciples dispersed around and spread his religion. However, after a while, the Bible was changed and three different opinions emerged which contrast with the initial faith of Christianity. They are “Jesus is God”, “Jesus is the son of God.” and trinity; the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead; which do not fit into the message of tawheed, oneness of God.
So, referring to the Islamic resources, we will examine the subject under two titles:
1. Christians before Islam
2. Christians after Islam
Christians before Islam who followed the righteous path of Prophet Jesus (a.s.)
Christians who believed in the religion of one God that was revealed by Prophet Jesus before Islam was revealed will enter jannah as long as following the path of tawheed:
“Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah [Jesus], son of Mary." But the Messiah [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 wrong-doers there are no helpers.”(Surah al-Maida; 72)
Interpreting the 62nd ayah of Surah al Baqara, scholars say that “Christians who lived before Islam” and who followed the original guidance of Prophet Jesus , tawheed, without associating partners to Allah (swt) are of people of heaven:
“Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.” (Surah al Baqara; 62)
“Allah stated that the earlier nations who were righteous and obedient received the rewards for their good deeds. This shall be the case, until the Day of Judgment. Therefore, whoever follows the unlettered Messenger and Prophet shall acquire eternal happiness and shall neither fear from what will happen in the future nor become sad for what has been lost in the past.” (Tafsir Ibn Katheer)
Besides, 30th verse of Surah al Fussilet states that those who believe in the oneness of Allah (swt) will enter Jannah:
(Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allah (alone),'' and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!''). (41:30)
Christians after Islam
However, after Islam was revealed and Allah sent Muhammad as the Last and Final Prophet and Messenger to all of the Children of Adam, the mankind was required to believe in him, obey him and refrain from what he prohibited them; those who do this are true believers. Because today, the deen which resumes, conveys and preaches the original and accurate message of Christianity and Judaism which is tawheed is Islam only. Since the other divine religions are distorted, the true message of God is conveyed by Islam only. In other beliefs, there is “associating partners to the Creator” which is not accepted by God.
“Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Al-i Imran; 19)
‘Allah states that there is no religion accepted with Him from any person, except Islam. Islam includes obeying all of the Messengers until Muhammad (pbuh) who finalized their commission, thus closing all paths to Allah except through Muhammad. Therefore, after Allah sent Muhammad, whoever meets Allah following a path other than Muhammad's, it will not be accepted of him. In another Ayah, Allah said,’ (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
“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.” (Al-i Imran; 85)
The statement by Ibn `Abbas indicates that Allah does not accept any deed or work from anyone, unless it conforms to the Law of Muhammad that is, after Allah sent Muhammad.