Concept of Salvation in Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism: A Comparative Theological Study

Abstract

This study presents a comparative theological analysis of the concept of salvation in Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism, examining how each tradition understands the human condition, the nature of ultimate deliverance, and the means by which it is attained. In Islam, salvation is rooted in complete submission to the will of God through faith, righteous deeds, divine mercy, and accountability in the Hereafter, emphasizing moral responsibility and balance between hope and fear. Christianity conceptualizes salvation primarily through redemption from sin by the grace of God, centered on faith in Jesus Christ as the savior, highlighting divine love, sacrifice, and reconciliation between humanity and God. Hinduism offers a diverse and pluralistic understanding of salvation, commonly expressed as moksha, the liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth, achieved through various paths such as knowledge, devotion, and disciplined action, reflecting a metaphysical focus on self-realization and unity with ultimate reality. By comparing these theological frameworks, the study highlights both convergences, such as the quest for liberation and moral transformation, and divergences in doctrinal foundations, soteriological mechanisms, and conceptions of the divine, thereby contributing to a deeper interfaith understanding of how salvation is perceived and pursued across major world religions.