What Does The Quran Say About The Bible

In the rich tapestry of Islamic teachings, what does the Quran say about the Bible is a question of significance. The Quran acknowledges the Bible as a divine revelation while also critiquing alterations made to its original message.

This exploration delves into the Quran’s nuanced relationship with the Bible, revealing how it embraces, challenges, and dialogues with the scriptures of the past. 

Join us at Sabil Al-Quran as we uncover the layers of respect, criticism, and commonality that define the Quranic perspective on the Bible.

The Quran acknowledges the Bible, specifically the Torah (Tawrat) and the Gospel (Injil), as earlier revelations from God. These scriptures were given to the prophets Moses and Jesus, respectively. 

The Quran respects these holy books as part of the divine guidance sent to humanity before the final revelation to Prophet Muhammad. Here’s a look at what the Quran says about the Bible:

What Does the Quran Say About Christianity?

When exploring the relationship between Islam and Christianity, two key questions arise: What does the Qur’an say about Christianity and what the Qur’an says about the Bible? The Quran acknowledges Christianity as a faith rooted in divine revelation, recognizing figures like Jesus (Isa in Islam). It also affirms the Bible’s significance but critiques alterations to its original message.

Addressing theological differences, such as the concept of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, the Quran promotes respectful dialogue while emphasizing the core principles of Islamic belief, fostering deeper interfaith understanding.

1.The Quran’s Acknowledgment of the Bible

The Quran acknowledges the Bible as a holy scripture revealed by Allah to previous prophets. It recognizes the Torah, given to Prophet Moses (Musa), and the Gospel (Injeel), given to Prophet Jesus (Isa). The Quran describes these revelations as guidance and light for their respective followers.

• The Torah and the Gospel as Divine Revelations

The Quran refers to the Torah and the Gospel as divine revelations meant for guidance. For instance:

“And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel.”

{وَآتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ}

Surah Al-Isra (17:2)

“He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.”

{نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ }

Surah Aal-E-Imran (3:4)

These verses illustrate that the Quran acknowledges the Bible as an essential source of divine guidance.

• Respect for the Followers of the Bible

The Quran also mentions the followers of the Bible with respect and recognizes their belief in the one God:

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

قُلْ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ}

Surah Aal-E-Imran (2:136)

This verse reflects the Quran’s acknowledgment of the shared roots of the Abrahamic faiths and emphasizes the importance of respect for all prophets and their scriptures.

2.The Quran’s Critique of Some Biblical Teachings

While the Quran respects the Bible as a divine revelation, it also critiques certain aspects where it believes alterations or misunderstandings have occurred over time:

• Alteration of the Scriptures

The Quran mentions that some parts of the Bible have been altered or misinterpreted by its followers. For example:

“Then woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands and then say, This is from Allah, in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.”

{فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ}

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:79)

This verse indicates the Quran’s view that some individuals manipulated their scriptures for personal gain, which the Quran condemns.

• Misunderstandings and Deviations

The Quran also criticizes certain interpretations or beliefs that deviate from the original message. For instance:

“O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth.”

{يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُواْ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ}

Surah An-Nisa (4:171)

This call for truth and moderation reflects the Quran’s insistence on preserving the purity of divine teachings.

3.The Quran’s Call for Dialogue

Despite the critiques, the Quran encourages respectful dialogue and cooperation with the followers of the Bible:

• Common Ground

The Quran highlights the commonalities between Muslims, Jews, and Christians, emphasizing shared beliefs in one God:

“Say, O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you that we worship none but Allah and that we do not associate anything with Him and that we do not take one another as lords instead of Allah.”

{قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ}

Surah Al-Imran (3:64)

This verse calls for a shared commitment to monotheism and mutual respect.

• Good Conduct

The Quran also advises kindness and justice in dealings with People of the Book:

“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”

{لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ}

Surah Al-Mumtahina (8:60)

Conclusion

What does the Quran say about the Bible? The Quran’s approach is one of both recognition and critique. It acknowledges the Bible as a significant revelation from God but suggests that its messages have been altered. The Quran encourages respectful dialogue with followers of previous scriptures and positions itself as the final and complete divine guidance.

This relationship highlights the Quran’s role in continuing the message of earlier revelations, addressing deviations, and promoting understanding and respect among different religious communities.

FAQ: What Does the Quran Say About the Bible?