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Misconception:
Must be "Muslim" or you will go to Hell
Background: Some think that a person must be a Muslim to enter paradise/heaven, and if not, they will go to Hell once they die.
The Quran repeatedly states the criteria for success as monotheism, recognition of accountability and being righteous:
Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Nazarenes*, and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear upon them, nor shall they grieve. [2:62]
Those who
believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Sabiens, and the Nazarenes*; whoever of them believes in God and the Last Day and
does good works, then they will have nothing to fear nor will they
grieve. [5:69]
*commonly translated as "Christians" but more likely refers to the
followers of Jesus of Nazareth, hence Nazarenes.
The Quran also states that there are some of "the people of the book" (i.e. followers of previous revelations) that are righteous and will be rewarded:
And if the
followers of the Book had believed and guarded (against evil) We would
certainly have covered their sins and We would certainly have made them
enter gardens of bliss.
And if they had observed the taurat* and
the injeel* and that which was revealed to
them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from above and
beneath them, there is a party of them keeping to the moderate course,
and (as for) most of them, evil is that which they do.
[5:65-66]
*commonly translated as Torah and Gospels respectively.
They are not all
alike; of the followers of the Book there is an upright party; they
recite God's communications in the night and they adore (Him).
They believe in God and the last day, and they enjoin what is right and
forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in good deeds. These
are of the righteous.
And whatever good they do, they shall not be denied it, and God knows
those who are forethoughtful.
[3:113-115]
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