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.

Doctrine of Textual Corruption (Tahrif)

The doctrine of textual corruption, known in Arabic as Tahrif, refers to the alterations and distortions that have occurred in religious texts, particularly in the context of the Bible. This concept holds significant importance in Islamic theology, where the integrity of the original revelations is emphasized, and any modifications to those texts are viewed critically.

Historical Context of Tahrif

The origins of textual corruption can be traced back to early Christianity, notably through the influence of Paul of Tarsus. Upon his acceptance of the Christian faith, Paul began to disseminate doctrines that deviated from the original teachings of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). His fourteen epistles constitute a major portion of the New Testament and introduce concepts that many scholars argue undermine the original message of Jesus.

For instance, Paul claims in his letter to the Galatians:

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
(Galatians 1:11-12)

This assertion raises questions about the authenticity of the Gospel as preached by Jesus. Paul’s teachings began to shift the perception of Jesus from a prophet and messenger to the “Son of God,” which is a significant theological departure from the original narrative.

Evidence of Distortion in The Quran

Islamic texts, particularly the Quran, provide clear indications of the distortion of earlier scriptures. Allah mentions in Surah Al-Ma’idah:

{مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ}
“Among those who are Jews, there are some who distort words from their proper places”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:13)

This verse highlights that certain groups have altered the meanings and contexts of their sacred texts. Further, Allah states:

 {وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا ۛ سَمَّاعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ سَمَّاعُونَ لِقَوْمٍ آخَرِينَ لَمْ يَأْتُوكَ ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ مِن بَعْدِ مَوَاضِعِهِ}
“And among the Jews are those who listen to lies and listen to other people who did not come to you. They distort the words from their proper places”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:41)

These verses reflect the belief that the textual integrity of the Torah and the Gospel has been compromised over time, making them less reliable as sources of divine guidance.

Theological Implications

The implications of Tahrif are profound. The distortions within the biblical texts have led to significant theological discrepancies among various Christian denominations. The Jewish Torah also exhibits differences in its interpretation and acceptance between Jewish and Christian communities. For example, certain books that are part of the Christian Old Testament are not recognized in the Jewish canon.

Furthermore, the alterations extend to fundamental aspects of faith, such as the narrative of the crucifixion. The belief in the crucifixion and death of Jesus is not supported by the original revelations, which state that he was neither killed nor crucified:

{وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ}
“And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary,’ and [the fact] that they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them.”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:157)

This verse emphasizes the discrepancies between the original message and the later interpretations found in the New Testament.

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.

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)

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.

Conclusion

What does the Quran say about Christians? 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?