And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they are regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say: this is what was given us aforetime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; there for ever they abide. Surah 2:25

The Koran’s formula for salvation is this: Belief + Our Good Works = Eternal life.

The Bible’s formula for salvation is this: Belief = Eternal life.

Belief and faith are other words for trust. The Bible says:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Belief “knows” without seeing. Belief trusts that God is who He is and will do what He says He will do.

Works trust self-accomplishment. It trusts what I do.  It says “I have to earn my salvation.” The “faith” in that statement trusts more in oneself to do enough righteous acts that will please God. Works do not really trust God, but puts more trust in our acts of good.

Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. Acts 15:10-12

That yoke mentioned in Acts 15 was an additional burden of works that the religious leaders piled on the people to make them righteous. Works trust our own accomplishment so they are contradictory to faith in God. The Koran is full of good works that a Muslim must accomplish.

The Koran asks that people trust in their own works more than only having faith in Allah. The faith that a Muslim has is trusting that Allah will see and reward their good works. The Koran must decide which is more important, because it cannot trust both.