“None will enter Paradise unless they are Jews or Christians.” Such are their wishful hopes. Say, “Produce your proof, if you are truthful.”

He thus commanded him to demand their proof for this sweeping denial and the false affirmation it entails. Then He said:

“Yes, whoever submits himself to Allah while doing good will have his reward with his Lord. No fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.”

He, glorified is He, thus declared concerning those Jews, Christians, and Sabians of earlier times who adhered to a true religion, and concerning the believers after Muhammad was sent—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that whoever combines the “three qualities” encompassing all righteousness will receive his reward and be spared punishment. These qualities are belief in creation and resurrection—in the beginning and the return—namely, faith in Allah and the Last Day, together with righteous deeds, which consist in fulfilling what is commanded and refraining from what is forbidden. His reward is with his Lord; he will have no fear of what lies ahead and will not grieve over what lies behind.

For this reason, He said:

“Yes, whoever submits himself to Allah while doing good.”

This means devoting one’s religion sincerely to Allah: worshipping Him alone, without partner. This is the true meaning of His words:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

He is also “doing good.” Thus, the “first”—submitting oneself to Allah—is the intention, while this “second”—doing good—is the deed. What He has mentioned in these two verses is faith in its universal sense and Islam in its universal sense, which Allah has enjoined upon all His servants, from the earliest to the latest generations.