The Koran, at times, speaks favorably of Jews and Christians saying they are the ones to whom the words of God were revealed.

And before thee also the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message. (We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may give thought. Surah 16:43-44

Who are the messengers from “before”? Muhammad is saying here that Allah inspired men before Muhammad with a Message, using Jews and Christians.

So should they be trusted and listened to now?

Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Surah 2:62

It appears that the Koran in Surah 2:62 is saying Muslims, Jews, Christians and the Sabians (scholars are unsure who these people are) can all achieve salvation. The parameters of salvation according to Surah 2:62 are:

• Believe in God
• Work righteousness/do good works

As we have shown, the Bible says only belief saves you, but the Koran feels some Christians can be saved, as long as they believe and do good works. That means missionaries, pastors, Bible study leaders, those who work in homeless shelters and with widows and orphans can all be saved.

According to the Koran, those who believe in Allah and the final day of judgment and do good works will be saved.

You are the best of the nations raised up for (the benefit of) men; you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and believe in Allah; and if the followers of the Book had believed it would have been better for them; of them (some) are believers and most of them are transgressors... They are not all alike; of the followers of the Book there is an upright party; they recite Allah’s communications in the nighttime and they adore (Him). They believe in Allah and the last day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in hastening to good deeds, and those are among the good. Surah 3:110

The true believers, the followers of the Bible, according to these verses:

• They recite God’s word at night
• They adore God
• They believe in God
• They believe in the final judgment day
• They do what is right and hate wrong
• They practice what they preach

That should include most true believers of Christianity. All of these are qualities the Bible calls believers to do.

If that is the case, they are fellow believers and should not be persecuted.