Do Muslims believe the Bible is the word of God?

Muslims have varying beliefs about the Bible. Some key points:

The Quran acknowledges parts of the Bible as revelation

The Quran, which Muslims believe is the direct word of God, refers to the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel as divine revelation given to prophets like Moses, David, and Jesus. However, Muslims believe the original revelations became corrupted over time.

Muslims believe the Quran supersedes previous scriptures

While Muslims accept parts of the Bible as originally given by God, they believe the Quran is the final, unchanged revelation. If there is a discrepancy between the Bible and Quran, Muslims follow the Quran.

Muslims question the authorship and reliability of the Bible

Unlike the Quran, Muslims do not believe the Bible available today was written by its claimed authors. They question if the Bible accurately preserves the original revelations. This contrasts with fundamentalist Christian views of Biblical inerrancy.

Key differences between the Bible and Islamic teachings

There are key differences between mainstream Christian Biblical teachings and Islamic beliefs, which leads Muslims to question the validity of the modern Bible:

  • The Christian doctrine of the Trinity and divinity of Jesus
  • The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus
  • The lack of prophecies about Muhammad in the Bible

Conclusion

In summary, Muslims have a complex relationship with the Bible. They respect it as containing some revelation from God, but do not hold it to be fully authoritative or reliable today. The Quran is considered the uncompromised word of God in Islam.

The Quranic View of the Bible

The Quran, which Muslims believe to be the direct revelation from God, makes numerous references to the Bible. However, it presents a different view than traditional Christianity on the nature and authority of the Bible.

The Quran confirms parts of the Bible

The Quran explicitly confirms that God revealed the Torah to Moses, the Psalms to David, and the Gospel to Jesus:

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.

(Quran 3:3)

It refers to the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel as guidance and light:

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 and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.

(Quran 5:46)

But the Bible became corrupted

However, the Quran states that the revelations to Jesus and earlier prophets became corrupted or distorted over time:

So woe to those who write the “scripture” with their own hands, 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)

Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, “We hear and disobey” and “Hear but be not heard” and “Ra’ina,” twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said [instead], “We hear and obey” and “Wait for us [to understand],” it would have been better for them and more suitable. But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.

(Quran 4:46)

The Quran abrogates previous scriptures

Based on this belief in corruption of the original revelations, Muslims believe that the Quran supersedes all previous scriptures:

[This is] a Book revealed to you [O Muhammad] – so let there not be in your breast distress therefrom – that you may warn thereby and as a reminder to the believers.

(Quran 7:2)

And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.

(Quran 5:48)

Therefore, Muslims turn to the Quran as the final authority and reject aspects of the Bible that conflict with the Quran.

Muslim Critiques of the Bible

Based on the Muslim view that the Bible has been changed over time from the original revelations, Islamic scholars have also criticized and questioned the authorship and historical reliability of biblical accounts.

Authorship

Muslims question the claimed authorship of both the Old and New Testaments. For example:

  • Scholars debate if Moses actually wrote the first five books of the Bible. The books themselves do not state an author.
  • The Gospels were not written by Jesus’s own disciples. They were written years after Jesus’s death by later followers.

Unlike the Quran, which is believed to be the direct word of God through Muhammad, Muslims do not ascribe divine authorship to the Bible books themselves.

Reliability

Muslims point to historical or scientific issues in the Bible that contradict the Quran or external facts:

  • The creation narrative differs from scientific consensus on evolution and the age of the Earth.
  • There are contradictions between biblical stories in different books.
  • Archaeological evidence disputes claims like the Exodus and conquest of Canaan.

This leads Muslims to conclude that the Bible contains myth, legend, or inaccuracies, unlike the Quran which they see as factually correct.

Prophecies About Muhammad

The Quran states that the coming of Muhammad was foretold in previous scriptures:

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel…

(Quran 7:157)

However, Muslims acknowledge there are no explicit prophecies about Muhammad in the Old and New Testaments. They interpret prophecies referring to a coming “comforter” or “advocate” as alluding to Muhammad.

Key Differences Between the Bible and Quran

Some key theological differences between mainstream Christian teachings in the Bible and Islamic beliefs contribute to Muslim rejection of biblical reliability:

1. The Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity – God existing in three persons as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is foundational to Christianity. But it is rejected by Islam as associating others with the one God:

O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.

(Quran 4:171)

2. The divinity of Jesus

Similarly, the Christian belief that Jesus was fully divine as well as human is incompatible with Islam’s absolute monotheism. Muslims view Jesus as a major prophet, but not God:

The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.

(Quran 5:75)

3. The crucifixion

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is central to Christian salvation beliefs. But the Quran denies that Jesus actually died on the cross:

[Jesus said], “And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.” That is Jesus, the son of Mary – the word of truth about which they are in dispute.

(Quran 19:33-34)

Muslims believe God raised Jesus directly to Heaven, and someone else was crucified in his place.

How Have Muslim Scholars Viewed the Bible Historically?

Classical Islamic scholars did not entirely discount the Bible, but approached it critically in light of the Quran’s teachings. Their view included these principles:

  • The Quran supersedes the Bible whenever there is a discrepancy between the two.
  • Any biblical passage that agrees with the Quran is accepted as divine truth.
  • Any passage that contradicts the Quran is rejected as a corruption of the original text.
  • Biblical stories not mentioned in the Quran may be true, but are unverified.

However, modern Muslim attitudes towards the Bible vary. Liberal or mystical Muslims may study both the Quran and the Bible as scripture. But conservative Muslims completely reject the Bible as corrupt and unreliable.

Classical Tafsir literature

Classical Quranic exegesis (tafsir) examined Biblical stories and criticism when analyzing Quranic verses. These include:

  • Stories shared between the Quran and Bible, like Adam, Moses, and Jesus.
  • Biblical stories criticized in the Quran, like Ezra claimed as the son of God.
  • Verses commanding Muslims to judge the biblical stories by the Quran.

Exegetes analyzed the linguistic origins of biblical texts, understanding of history, and comparisons between versions to determine reliability.

Hadith

The Hadith record Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and example, which greatly impact Muslim views. Some notable examples:

  • Affirming stories of previous prophets shared with the Bible.
  • Criticizing Jews and Christians for distorting their scriptures.
  • Confirming biblical stories not mentioned in the Quran, like the story of Cain and Abel.

However, authenticity of individual Hadith varies, so not all are equally accepted as authoritative.

Approaches of early Quranic translators

When translating the Quran, early scholars often consulted the Bible for clarification due to similarities:

  • Names and background stories of prophets like Moses and Jesus.
  • Parallels between Quranic and Biblical accounts and themes.
  • Vocabulary extensively borrowed from Hebrew and Greek.

But they relied on the Quran itself as the highest authority in areas of dispute between the texts.

Modern Muslim Attitudes Towards the Bible

Contemporary Muslim perspectives on the Bible fall across a wide spectrum:

Quranists

Quranists reject all Hadith and Islamic jurisprudence, adhering solely to the Quran. They view the Quran as fully detailed, so do not turn to the Bible.

Salafists

Salafists emphasize emulating the first generations of Muslims, the Salaf as-Saliheen. They may reference classical tafsir literature but generally reject the Bible as corrupt.

Mainstream Sunni Muslims

Among Sunni Muslims who follow traditional schools of law and theology, the Bible is viewed respectfully but critically in light of Quranic teachings.

Sufi Muslims

Sufi mystics may study both the Bible and Quran, looking for common themes and spiritual insights. But the Quran guides interpretation of any biblical passages.

Liberal or Reform Muslims

Liberal Muslim scholars argue for reinterpreting traditional theology in light of modern values. They may treat the Bible and Quran as equally valid sources of divine truth.

Ahmadi Muslims

Ahmadi Muslims view founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the promised Messiah and Mahdi. They believe the Gospels contain prophecies of Muhammad that were removed over time.

Nation of Islam

Though seen as unorthodox by mainstream Muslims, the Nation of Islam utilizes themes and narratives from both the Bible and Quran. However, they believe Fard Muhammad to be the Mahdi foretold in scripture.

Conclusions

While Muslims respect the Bible as revelation from God, they do not grant it the same authority as the Quran. Mainstream Muslim theology views the Bible as corrupted from its original form, reliant on the Quran for interpretation, and superseded by the Quranic revelation to Muhammad. However, Muslim perspectives on biblical authority vary greatly in the modern era.

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