Growing up as a devout Muslim in a religious family, I was taught to fear Allah, obey the Qur'an, and strive to earn paradise through good deeds. But no matter how hard I tried, I never felt close to God or sensed His approval. After years of devotion, Islam left me broken, depressed, and nihilistic.

Salvation, purpose, and the afterlife are the most important questions in life: How can I be made right with God? Let’s look honestly at how Islam and Christianity answer this question, using both the Qur’an and the Bible.

SALVATION IN ISLAM: EARN IT THROUGH DEEDS.

Islam teaches that salvation is earned by doing more good than bad, obeying Allah’s commands, and hoping for His mercy on Judgment Day. There is no assurance — only striving.

“Then those whose balance [of good deeds] is heavy – they will be successful. But those whose balance is light – those are the ones who have lost their souls, being in Hell, abiding eternally.”
(Qur’an 23:102–103)

“Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
(Qur’an 99:7–8)

Even Muhammad, the self-appointed prophet of Islam, was unsure of his own salvation. When asked, he replied:

“I do not know what will be done with me or with you.”
(Qur’an 46:9)

As a Muslim, I constantly feared death and hell. I prayed, fasted, and read the Qur’an, but I was never certain if I had done enough. I knew I constantly fell short. Islam taught me that Allah guides whom He wills and misguides whom He wills — and I could only hope I wasn’t among the misguided.

SALVATION IN CHRISTIANITY: RECEIVE IT BY GRACE.

When I encountered Christianity, I found a completely different message — one of unconditional love, grace, and certainty. Salvation wasn’t about what I could do for God, but what God had done for me through Jesus Christ.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8–9)

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
(John 5:24)

Jesus, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. He rose from the dead to give us eternal life. In Christianity, salvation is not earned — it is received by faith.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
(Romans 10:13)

Unlike Islam, the Bible gives assurance of salvation:

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
(1 John 5:13)

THE CORE DIFFERENCE: WORKS VS. GRACE.

The difference is not small or surface-level — it’s everything.

• Islam says: Do more good, obey more laws, and maybe — just maybe — Allah will throw something at you, peasant.
• Christianity says: You can’t earn it. Accept the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice, and you shall be saved and adopted as a child of God.

Islam offers religion. Christianity offers relationship.

MY HUMBLE OPINION

The dead religion of Islam couldn’t change me — or anyone. It wasn’t an argument that transformed my heart — it was the living Christ. At my lowest point, Jesus revealed Himself to me. I felt a peace and love I had never known in all my years of trying to measure up. I realized: I don’t need to be perfect. Jesus already was.

When I humbled myself and put my faith in Christ, I finally found the assurance I had been searching for my entire life.

TO MY DEAR MUSLIM READER

I know the fear. I know the striving. But I also know the freedom and joy of finding the truth. Jesus is not just a prophet — He is the Living Savior.

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
(John 14:6)

If you are truly seeking truth, ask God with a sincere heart: “Reveal Yourself to me.”
He did for me — and I believe He will for you too.

Click here to hear Mohamad share his journey from striving to be a martyr in Iran to encountering Jesus, risking everything for his faith, and starting a new life in America.