This was explained already in another thread. I paste it below for your convenience:
Actually, if what is meant by the correct path is "the path to salvation", then all four can be on this path. Forgive the lengthy reply, and I hope that I am not one of the obfuscators...
A Muslim view can be as follows:
1. Muslims believe that the Muslim can be on the right path, as this person believes and submits to God according to what Muslims believe is the correct path.
2. The Christian can be on the path to salvation,
even though Islam would judge Christian beliefs to be unacceptable. This would depend on a number of factors. Also, some Muslim scholars include Hindus in this group (People of the Book) as well, and some do not. This is supported by the Quranic verses:
"Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Quran 5:69)
and
"Among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) there are some who believe in God and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before God. They do not sell God's signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And God is swift at reckoning." (Quran, 3:199)
and
"... There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite God's signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. God knows those who guard against evil." (Quran, 3:113-115)
Furthermore, if the Christian/Hindu lived before the time of Prophet Muhammad, they could still be on the path to salvation if they followed the most recent prophet sent to them by God.
God says in the Quran, relating to this:
"To every people (was sent) a messenger: when their messenger comes (before them), the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged." (Quran 10:47)
and
"For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), "Serve God, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom God guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth)." (Quran 16:36)
and
"Verily We sent messengers before thee, among them those of whom We have told thee, and some of whom We have not told thee; and it was not given to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by God's leave, but when God's commandment cometh (the cause) is judged aright, and the followers of vanity will then be lost." (Quran 40:78)
3. The atheist can also be on the path to salvation. And the Muslim scholars who do not place Hindus under point "2." above, place them here.
The rationale for this is that there may be some peoples who live in isolated villages somewhere, or on remote islands, and to this very day, may not have received the
Message. They are not Muslim (or believers in God), but Muslim scholars hold that their path may yet be destined to salvation, as they cannot be blamed for their situation.
Also, some may have received the
Message, but from poor (bad) or hypocritical ambassadors of the Faith, such as from the likes of Bin Laden and his types. It is virtually impossible, today, for people to claim that the message of Islam did not reach them. However, sometimes this message has been perverted beyond recognition, and only the insane or criminally-minded would buy into it in it's polluted form. In reality then, there exists many who have not received the true message, and these people are also not blameworthy, and can be on the path to salvation (whilst being atheist or Hindu).
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