In the world of religious texts, the Quran and the Bible are two of the most revered and foundational books. Both are central to their respective faiths—Islam and Christianity—and have shaped the beliefs and practices of billions of people over the centuries. But what does the Quran say about the Bible? And how does Islam view the Christian scriptures? Let’s explore this question from an Islamic perspective.
The Quran Acknowledges the Bible
The Quran, as the final revelation from Allah to humanity, acknowledges the previous scriptures that were revealed before it, including the Torah (Tawrat) given to Prophet Musa (Moses), the Psalms (Zabur) given to Prophet Dawood (David), and the Gospel (Injil) given to Prophet Isa (Jesus). These scriptures are seen as divine guidance for the people of their time, but Muslims believe that over time, these books were altered or lost in their original form.
In the Quran, Allah refers to the Bible and its original message in a number of verses. For example, Allah says in Surah Al-Imran (3:3):
“It is He who sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what came before it. And He sent down the Torah and the Gospel.” (Quran 3:3)
This verse affirms that the Torah and the Gospel were revealed by Allah, and they are considered sacred, but they were revealed for specific communities—the Children of Israel and the followers of Jesus (Isa), respectively.
The Quran Describes the Bible as a Source of Guidance
Although Muslims believe that the Bible, as it exists today, is not in its original form, they acknowledge that it was once a true source of guidance for the people to whom it was revealed. The Quran encourages its followers to reflect on the earlier revelations, including the Bible, while also warning them not to follow misinterpretations or distortions that may have crept into these texts over time.
For instance, the Quran mentions the Bible’s guidance for the Children of Israel in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:46):
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah. And We gave him the Gospel in which was guidance and light…” (Quran 5:46)
Here, the Quran acknowledges that the Gospel given to Jesus (Isa) contained guidance and light, just as the Torah did for Moses. This indicates that the Bible’s earlier versions did, in fact, contain truth and divine wisdom, though it also implies that such wisdom may have been obscured through time.
The Quran Speaks of the Alteration of Previous Scriptures
One of the key differences between the Quran and the Bible is that Islam teaches that the original revelations to the Prophets (Musa, Dawood, Isa) were changed or corrupted over time. This is not to say that the entire Bible is invalid, but rather that human errors—whether intentional or unintentional—have led to changes in the text.
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:79), Allah says:
“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.” (Quran 2:79)
This verse addresses the issue of people who manipulated or altered divine messages, which is believed to have happened with some parts of the Bible over time. For Muslims, this is one of the reasons why they believe that the Quran was sent as the final and unaltered message from Allah, preserved in its original form.
The Quran and Jesus: A Bridge Between Islam and Christianity
Jesus (Isa) plays a key role in both the Bible and the Quran. While the Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of mankind, Islam views him as one of the greatest of Allah’s prophets. According to the Quran, Jesus was born miraculously to Mary (Maryam) and performed miracles, but he is not divine.
In Surah Al-Imran (3:55), Allah speaks about the relationship between Jesus and his followers:
“[Mention] when Allah said, ‘O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve…’” (Quran 3:55)
The Quran confirms that Jesus was not crucified, contrary to the Bible’s account of his death. Muslims believe that Allah raised Jesus to Himself, and he will return at the end of times to restore justice and peace.
This difference in belief between Christianity and Islam regarding the nature of Jesus highlights the theological distinctions between the Quran and the Bible, but also shows that the Quran holds Jesus in high esteem.
The Quran Calls for Respect and Dialogue
Although there are theological differences between the Quran and the Bible, Islam encourages respectful dialogue with people of the Book—Jews and Christians. The Quran calls for peaceful coexistence and invites others to understand Islam through mutual respect.
In Surah Al-Ankabut (29:46), Allah instructs Muslims to engage in dialogue with people of other faiths in a spirit of respect and understanding:
“And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them…” (Quran 29:46)
This verse encourages Muslims to engage with Christians and Jews with kindness and understanding, recognizing the commonality in the belief in one God and the shared prophetic tradition, while also acknowledging the differences.
Conclusion: Acknowledging the Bible While Honoring the Quran
From an Islamic perspective, the Quran recognizes the Bible as a holy scripture that was revealed by Allah to guide humanity. While Muslims respect the Torah and the Gospel as important parts of their faith’s heritage, they also believe that these texts have been altered over time. The Quran is seen as the final, unaltered revelation, meant to restore and complete the messages of previous scriptures.
Muslims are encouraged to engage with the Bible respectfully, recognizing the shared values between the two faiths, while remaining faithful to the teachings of the Quran. The relationship between the Quran and the Bible is one of respect, recognition, and dialogue, emphasizing both the common ground and the theological differences that shape each tradition.
