The Qur’an Dilemma

Perhaps the most common claim I hear is that the Bible is corrupted. I understand why it is made, for the Gospel message in the Bible: salvation through Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who died for our sins, is in direct opposition to the message of the Qur’an.

And yet, this claim of corruption does not stand up to scrutiny!

We could, and will, consider this claim from different angles, but for now I want you to note that the Qur’an itself affirms the Bible (see below).  Therefore, this claim of corruption is itself in direct opposition to the message of the Qur’an.

I trust you see the problem.

• The Qur’an says that the Bible is true (see below).
• The message of the Bible fundamentally disagrees with the message of the Qur’an.
• If the Bible is true, then the message of the Qur’an is false.
• If the Bible is false, and the Qur’an says the Bible is true, then the Qur’an is false.

Therefore, if the first statement is correct, then it completely and irretrievably undermines the authenticity of the Qur’an as the Word of God.

Does the Qur’an affirm that the Bible is the true Word of God?

1. The Qur’an refers to the Torah as the Word of God, containing guidance and light.

   • Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah ] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers.

     [Surah 5:44, Sahih International]

2. It says that not only the Torah but the Gospel come from God.

   • He has sent down upon you the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.

     [Surah 3:3, Sahih International]

3. It further declares that God preserves His Word from alteration.

   • And certainly were messengers denied before you, but they were patient over denial, and they were harmed until Our victory came to them. And none can alter the words of Allah. And there has certainly come to you some information about the  messengers.

     [Surah 6:34, Sahih International]

4. The Bible must be obeyed and followed.

   • Say, “O People of the Scripture, you are on nothing until you uphold the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people.

     [Surah 5:68, Sahih International]

5. And followers of the Bible will be rewarded.

   • Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans – those who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness – will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.

     [Surah 2:62, Sahih International]

6. The Qur’an also tells Christians to use the Bible to judge truth.

   • And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.

     [Surah 5:47, Sahih International]

7. And even authorises the messenger of Islam to authenticate his message from the Bible.

   • So if you are in doubt about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters.

     [Surah 10:94, Sahih International]

8. Finally, for now, the Qur’an sees no distinction between itself and the Bible.

   • Say, “We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims  to Him.”

     [Surah 3:84, Sahih International]

Conclusion

The verses from the Qur’an clearly show the the Qur’an viewed the previous Scriptures as the Word of God. It references the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel, and assumes that these previous Scriptures were in the possession of the Jews and Christians in the days of the messenger of Islam.

We know what Scriptures were in the hands of the Jews and Christians at that time, for we have manuscript evidence that predates that era by hundreds of years. When the Qur’an references the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel, it is speaking of the Bible.

Further, the Qur’an links itself so closely with the previous Scriptures, that any interpretation put forward to argue against the points made only ends up undermining the Qur’an as well.

Therefore, we are left having to accept the premise that the Qur’an affirms the Bible as the life-giving Word of God.

I would thus urge you to set the Qur’an aside, and take up the Bible. Read words of life. Read of a Jesus Christ – a loving Saviour who died for you. Read of the pardon, peace and joy He can give, and then bow before Him and accept His gracious gift.

If you would like a free copy of the Bible for yourself, click here.