As a Muslim, a person is required to keep the Five Pillars of Islam in an effort to please Allah and attempt to obtain eternal life. Sura 5:9 teaches, "To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward" (5:9). The Qur'an teaches salvation is through submission to the most merciful God: "Those who remember God (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying), 'Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire'" (Sura 3:191).
Many Muslims also argue that death in jihad as a martyr assures one of Paradise based on Sura 3:157: "And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass."
Yet other than death in jihad, Islam provides no true assurance of Paradise. In addition, since women rarely (or never, according to some Muslim scholars) go to battle in jihad, they have even less opportunity to obtain assurance of Paradise.
However, the Qur'an also speaks of the Injil (the Gospel) as one of the other great books (Sura 5:46; 48:29). In the Gospels, Jesus taught, "Whoever believes in the Son [Jesus / Isa] has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them" (John 3:36 NIV). Whereas in the Qur'an Jesus (Isa) is presented as a prophet, the Injils or Gospels present Jesus as the Son of God who can provide assurance of eternal life.
In addition, belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God provides eternal life without any works. John 3:16 teaches, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Ephesians 2:8-9 in the New Testament teaches, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Both Muslims and Christians teach there is one God, yet differ greatly regarding how a person can receive assurance of salvation. Islam teaches there is little assurance you will know for certain you will go to Paradise after this life. Yet the Bible is clear: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). If you seek assurance of eternity with God, turn to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Only He can provide assurance that you will spend eternity in Paradise.
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