Salvation in Islam

Non-Muslim: If following Quran is the way to salvation then what would happen to the people who have lived and died never having heard of the Quran? How will they be judged since they had no obligation of following the Quran?

Muslim: God says-"And for every nation, there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes, the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged." (Quran 10:47)

God also says-"Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel - it is he who has brought the Qur'an down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of God, confirming previous scriptures before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers." (Quran 2:97)

God sent his messengers in every age before there was no Quran. Quran confirms previous scriptures (Torah, Zabur, Gospel, etc). The message of Quran & previous scriptures are same). Therefore, no people actually have lived and died never having heard of the Quran.

Non-Muslim: If the message of Quran and previous scriptures are same, can salvation be attained by following previous scriptures?

Muslim: Whenever a previous scripture was corrupted by people, God sent a new scripture. Quran only confirms the uncorrupted portions of the previous scriptures. The portions of previous scriptures that match with Quran are uncorrupted. The portions of previous scriptures that do not match with Quran are corrupted. In addition, Quran covers some additional topics that are absence in previous scriptures. Therefore, salvation cannot be attained by following previous scriptures even though Quran confirms previous scriptures.

God says-"Therefore woe be unto those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, "This is from Allah," that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby" (2:79).

Non-Muslim: What will happen if people corrupt Quran? Will God send another scripture to correct the corrupted parts in Quran?

Muslim: God says Muhammad (God bless him) is the last prophet who came with the last scripture (Quran) from God. God says-"We have without doubt, sent down the message and We will assuredly guard it from corruption". (Quran 15:9)

Since Quran is the last scripture sent by God, God makes sure that no one can corrupt Quran. God says-"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Apostle of God, and the Seal of the Prophets: and God has full knowledge of all things." (Quran 33:40)