Bible Preserved (Evidence from the Quran)
Christian and Jelal discuss the Quran’s view of the Bible
Christian: Hi there, I wonder if you’ve ever read the Injīl (New Testament) before?
Jelal: As a Muslim, I believe that the Quran is the final revelation from Allah. It supersedes all previous scriptures. You claim to have the Injīl, but everyone knows that the original New Testament has been lost.
Christian: What makes you say that?
Jelal: Well, it’s clear in the Quran. It says, again and again, that the Bible was changed.
Christian: Really? I wonder, could you show me in the Quran where it says the Injīl has been changed?
Jelal: Here you go:
Quran 2.75. It says that there were those ‘who used to hear the word of Allah, then changed it knowingly after they understood it’. Then, a few verses later,
Quran 2.79 mentions those ‘who write “scripture” with their own hands’. It’s clear from the Quran: the Bible has been changed!
Quran 2:75Have ye any hope that they will be true to you when a party of them used to listen to the word of Allah, then used to change it, after they had understood it, knowingly?
Quran 2:79Therefore woe be unto those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, "This is from Allah," that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby.
Christian: But do these verses mention the Tawrāt (Torah), Zaboor (Psalms)or Injīl by name?
Jelal: Well, no, they don’t.
Christian: Actually, there have always been those who try to distort the words of God. Even in Jesus’ day, the religious leaders would write down their own traditions, claiming they were as authoritative as Scripture (see
Mark 7). Jesus never accused them of changing the Bible. In fact, he quoted from the Bible to rebuke them!
Mark 7Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things which they have… read full verse
Jelal: Well, I guess that’s possible.
Christian: And by the seventh century, the Jews had written texts like the Talmud. And many claiming to be Christian had also been writing different texts, like The Shepherd of Hermas. Perhaps the Quran is talking about texts like these?
Jelal: I hadn’t thought about that.
Christian: Well, whenever the Quran mentions the Christian Scriptures by name (for example, the Tawrāt or Injīl), it is always positive. Take
Quran 5.46–47, for instance. It says, ‘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.’ How could Allah say that to Christians if they had corrupt Scriptures?
Quran 5:46And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).
Jelal: Good point. But what about
Quran 3.78? It says, ‘And, indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from Scripture, but it is not from Scripture. And they say, “This is from Allah,” but it is not from Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they know.’
Quran 3:78And lo! there is a party of them who distort the Scripture with their tongues, that ye may think that what they say is from the Scripture, when it is not from the Scripture. And they say: It is from Allah, when it is not from Allah; and they speak a lie concerning Allah knowingly.
Christian: But, again, what does this verse actually say? Does it say they changed the Bible text or just that they were saying things that were different from the Bible?
Jelal: Well, I see what you’re saying. Perhaps I need to look into this more.