What does the Koran say about Christians?

In these controversial times of conflict between the great religions of the world, many Christians believe that Muslims have a Christian faith in derision, if not outright hostility.

However, this is not the case. Islam and Christianity actually have a lot in common, including some of the same prophets. Islam, for example, believes that Jesus is a messenger of God and that he was born of the Virgin Mary - beliefs surprisingly similar to Christian doctrine.

There are, of course, important differences between the faiths, but for Christians who first learn about Islam or who are introduced to Christianity to Muslims, there is often a great surprise as to how much the two important faiths share.

A clue to what Islam truly believes about Christianity can be found by examining the holy book of Islam, the Qur'an.

In the Qur'an, Christians are often referred to as among the "People of the book", that is, the people who received and believed in the revelations of the prophets of God. The Quran contains verses that highlight the commonalities between Christians and Muslims, but it contains other verses that warn Christians not to slip into polytheism because of their worship of Jesus Christ as God.

Descriptions of the Koran's commonalities with Christians
Several passages in the Qur'an speak about the commonalities that Muslims share with Christians.

“Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, Christians and Sabians - whoever believes in God and on the last day and does good will have their reward from their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve "(2:62, 5:69 and many other verses).

"... and closer to each other in the love of believers you will find those who say" We are Christians ", because among these there are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world and are not arrogant" (5: 82).
"O you who believe! Be helpers of God - like Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the Disciples: 'Who will be my helpers in (the work of) God?' The disciples said, "We are helpers of God!" Then a part of the Children of Israel believed and a part did not believe. But we empower those who believed against their enemies and became those who prevailed "(61:14).
The Koran's warnings about Christianity
The Qur'an also has several passages that express concern about the Christian practice of worshiping Jesus Christ as God. It is the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity that disturbs most Muslims. For Muslims, the worship of any historical figure like God himself is sacrilege and heresy.

“If only they [that is, the Christians] had been faithful to the Law, to the Gospel and to all the revelations that had been sent to them by their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness on all sides. There is a party among them on the right. Of course, but many of them follow an evil course “(5:66).
"Oh people of the book! Do not commit excess in your religion, nor tell God anything other than the truth. Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, was (no more than) a messenger of God, and His Word which he bestowed on Mary and a spirit that proceeds from Him. So believe in God and His messengers. Don't say "Trinity". Desist! It will be better for you, because God is one God, glory be to him! (Well exalted is He) above having a child. To him belong all things in heaven and on earth. And God is enough to displace business "(4: 171).
“Jews call Uzair a son of God, and Christians call Christ the son of God. This is just a saying from their mouth; (in this) but they imitate what the unbelievers of the past said. The curse of God is in their act, as they are deluded by the Truth! They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords by way of derogation from God, and (they take like their Lord) Christ the son of Mary. Yet he was commanded to worship only one God: there is no other god than Him. Praise and glory to Him! (Far is He) from having companions who associate (with Him) "(9: 30-31).
In these times, Christians and Muslims could do themselves, and the larger world, a good and honorable service by focusing on the many things in common of religions rather than exaggerating their doctrinal differences.