By: Ebrahim Saifuddin
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. List of Verses in Ascending Order
3. The Muslim Belief
4. Verses Quoted by Christians
(a) General Verses Quoted
(b) Verses with “Saddaqa”
(c) Verses where Quran tells Prophet Muhammad (saw) about the Bible
(d) Quran calls the Bible ‘al-Ththikra’
(e) Bring forth like Quran and Torah
5. Conclusion
1. Introduction
In this paper we will only analyze the Quranic Verses given by the Christian missionaries claiming that the Quran testifies that the entire Bible is the uncorrupted Word of God. The Quran being the Last and Final Testament mentions the revelations sent to Moses (Torah), David (Zabur) and Jesus (Injeel). It is obligatory on a Muslim to believe that these books were revealed onto these prophets (pbut) who were chosen and sent by Allah (swt). Today our Christian brothers claim that the books which they possess are in the pristine form just the way they were revealed from Allah (swt) to Moses (as), David (as) and Jesus (as). They then try to prove using the Quran that even the Quran testifies that which they possess is the uncorrupted Word of God. However, when we read the Quran we see that it clearly teaches that these books in fact got corrupted.
2. List of Verses in Ascending Order
The list is given in the format ‘Chapter:Verse (Section of Paper it appears in)’. Example Chapter 2 Verse 41 appears in the section 4b and hence is written in the list as:
‘2:41 (4b)’
The List
2:41 (4b); 2:89 (4b); 2:91 (4b); 2:97 (4b); 2:101 (4b); 2:113 (4c);
3:3 (4b); 3:39 (4b); 3:50 (4b); 3:81 (4b);
4:47 (4b);
5:43 (4a) 5:46-48 (4b); 5:66 (4a); 5:68 (4c);
6:92 (4b);
10:37 (4b); 10:94 (4c);
12:111 (4b);
16:43-44 (4c, 4d);
21:7 (4d); 21:105 (4d);
28:48-49 (4e);
29:46 (4a);
35:31 (4b);
37:52 (4b);
40:53-54 (4d);
46:12 (4b); 46:30 (4b);
61:6 (4b)
3. The Muslim Belief
Before I begin with the analysis of all the verses in the Quran which the Christians quote in their defense, let me in short state the basic Muslim belief regarding the Bible which Christendom possesses.
Muslims do not believe that from cover to cover, the Bible is the complete Word of God. The Muslims also do not believe that from cover to cover the Bible is corrupted. What the Muslims do believe is that while there is part of the Word of God in the Bible, the other part is corrupted. To explain it in simpler terms; for example if the Bible has a scientific or historic accuracy, the Muslim will be open to accept that this probably could be the preserved Word of God but on the other hand a Muslim will never accept that the scientific or historic inaccuracies in the Bible are also from God.
4. Explaining Verses Quoted by Christians
I will use the translation of Abdullah Yusuf Ali throughout this article unless stated otherwise.
4a. General Verses Quoted
This is a list of the general verses quoted by the Christians to try and prove that the Quran confirms the entire Bible which the Christians used to have in those days.
These verses are:
Chapter 29 Verse 46
Chapter 5 Verse 66
Chapter 5 Verse 43
Chapter 29 Verse 46
And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)."
This verse is often quoted by the Christians to prove that the Quran teaches that the Bible is uncorrupted. When we read this verse we see that Allah (swt) tells us to say that we believe in the revelation which has come to the People of the Book. As stated before, it is an article of faith for a Muslim to believe that the Torah, Zabur and Injeel are Books revealed onto the respective prophets (pbut) but no where does this verse say that we believe in what the Christians and the Jews possessed at that time. It is a general statement that a Muslim is to believe that Torah, Zabur and Injeel were revealed by Allah (swt).
Moreover as one can see, in the beginning of the verse, Allah (swt) encourages us to debate and have dialogue with the People of the Book. Now if the Quran was testifying that the Books which they have at that point in time were in their pure form and that they were on the right path then why would the Muslims be encouraged to have a dialogue and debate with the People of the Book? Obviously the dialogue was to help them realize the wrong which they were doing so that they could come onto the right path. The path as prescribed by Allah (swt). The path one can walk on only by accepting the uncorrupted Book – The Quran.
Chapter 5 Verse 66
If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.
This noble verse of the Quran informs us that the People of the Book are not holding on to the Torah and the Injeel. Allah (swt) says that if they were following the Torah and the Injeel then they would have enjoyed happiness. Now the Christian missionaries claim that the Quran certifies that the entire Bible is uncorrupted. As we can see in this verse the Quran is actually telling us that they are not following the Torah and the Injeel. Under what circumstances would they not be following it? The only reason why they would not be following it is if they would not have the complete original books. So this verse actually informs us that they do not have the uncorrupted version of the books. Now the latter part of the verse states that among the People of the Book there are a few who are on the right course.
To explain the latter part of the verse, notice in the initial part it says ‘and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord’. This phrase includes the revelation that Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah (swt) and all that was revealed to him. So the verse not only talks about them following the Torah and the Injeel in its pure form, but also talks about them following Prophet Muhammad (saw). Now in the latter part of the verse it says that there are some who are on the right course, which means that there are some who are from among the people of the Book who believe in Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Some might say that those from the People of the Book who have accepted Islam would be referred to as Muslims and not as ‘among the People of the Book’. However that claim of theirs is based on nothing but misinterpretations and misinformation. The Quran gives similar messages throughout. One such similar message is seen in the following verse:
And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in Allah, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to Allah: They will not sell the Signs of Allah for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and Allah is swift in account. – [Chapter 3 Verse 199]
Notice how this verse also uses the phrase ‘among the People of the Book’ when referring to those from among them who believe in Allah (swt) and in the revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad (saw). Hence they would be Muslims as well but the Quran yet refers to them as ‘among the People of the Book’. Thus it becomes apparent what Allah (swt) is referring to in Chapter 5 Verse 66.
Chapter 5 Verse 43
Before we read 5:43, we should glance at the context of the verse and read 5:41. I will quote the concerned part:
“….They change the words from their (right) times and places: they say, “‘If ye are given this, take it, but if not, beware!’” - [Quran 5:41]
This was regarding these Jews who had committed adultery and were seeking a punishment other than ’stoning to death’ (rajam) which the Torah prescribed. What they were seeking was a punishment lesser than that i.e. flogging. They came to Prophet Muhammad (saw), changing and misrepresenting the Torah, in hope that he would prescribe flogging and not rajam.
So Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked them to bring the Torah and read. And a person from among the Jews was brought forth to read it. However he hid the verse regarding rajam at first with his hand but then later after he was told to remove his hand, he read it out. Hence stoning was carried out.
It was in this context that 5:43 was revealed:
“But why do they come to thee for decision, when they have (their own) law before them?- therein is the (plain) command of Allah; yet even after that, they would turn away. For they are not (really) People of Faith.” - [Quran 5:43]
Here in context it is clear that they came with deception in order to gain a favorable ruling from Prophet Muhammad (saw). Hence Allah (swt) says in the Quran that why do they come to the Prophet for decision when they do not even believe in him and they have a book with laws which they consider Divine. The Torah does have some Divine laws in it and rajam is one of the preserved Divine laws.
The Jews did not come to Prophet Muhammad (saw) saying something like: ‘O Muhammad judge between us using the Quran’ to which Allah said that they should use the Torah. That was not the case. The Jews came with a deception to Muhammad (saw), changing the law of the Torah, hoping that he would not know the real law and thus they would get a favorable ruling or that he would get pleased that they have come to him and thus accept their word that in the Torah the ruling for adultery is flogging.
In fact the context of this verse exposes how the Jews did change, misinterpret and misrepresent their books. This verse in no way suggests that the Torah is 100% uncorrupted Word of God.
4b. Verses with “Saddaqa”
The Christian Missionaries quote the following verses claiming that these verses contain the root word of ‘confirm’ i.e. ‘Saddaqa’ and thus establish that the Bible from cover to cover is uncorrupted.
The verses they quote are as following:
Chapter 35 Verse 31
Chapter 10 Verse 37
Chapter 12 Verse 111
Chapter 3 Verse 3
Chapter 5 Verse 46 – 48
Chapter 2 Verse 41
Chapter 2 Verse 89
Chapter 2 Verse 91
Chapter 2 Verse 97
Chapter 2 Verse 101
Chapter 3 Verse 39
Chapter 3 Verse 50
Chapter 3 Verse 81
Chapter 4 Verse 47
Chapter 6 Verse 92
Chapter 37 Verse 52
Chapter 46 Verse 12
Chapter 46 Verse 30
Chapter 61 Verse 6
The word Saddaqa means:
To say (tell, speak) the truth; to be true, truthful, sincere. – [Al Mawrid Arabic to English Dictionary, pg 691]
So here we see that the Quran is ‘speaking the truth’ about the previous revelations. What the Christians had with themselves in those days was corrupted and the Quran is speaking the truth regarding those scriptures. In almost all the verses it is stated that the Quran is ‘confirming the previous revelations’. So it confirms that which was revealed previously by speaking the truth regarding it. The Quran verifies that which is preserved in the Bible ‘to be true’. It is ‘truthful’ and ‘sincere’ to the previous revelations by Allah (swt) and not to the corruptions made by man. An analysis of all these verses will show that the Quran only confirms that which was revealed – not that which is corruption. By confirming that which was revealed then Quran by default exposes the corruption.
Chapter 35 Verse 31
That which We have revealed to thee of the Book is the Truth,- confirming what was (revealed) before it: for Allah is assuredly- with respect to His Servants - well acquainted and Fully Observant.
This is another verse quoted by the Christian missionaries a lot. However we see that this verse again does not state that the Bible in the hands of the Jews and the Christians of that time was in its pristine form. What the Quran states is that it is confirming that which was revealed before – not the Bible that they hold but confirming only that which was revealed before it by Allah (swt). Hence do note that the Quran is speaking of only confirming that which was revealed before by Allah (swt) and it is not confirming the corrupted part of the Bible.
So how does the Quran confirm what was revealed before? It does so simply by stating or repeating that what was revealed to the concerned prophets and correcting that which has been corrupted. For example, in the story of the Original Sin as seen in the Bible, the blame is put on the woman and not the man. The Quran however corrects this mistake and says that both of them are equally responsible.
Chapter 10 Verse 37
This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the worlds.
This verse is seen to again carry the same meaning as Chapter 35 Verse 31. This meaning is further enhanced when we read the verse preceding it which I will quote below:
But most of them follow nothing but fancy: truly fancy can be of no avail against truth. Verily Allah is well aware of all that they do. – [Chapter 10 Verse 36]
We see that the Quran is referring to those know follow fancy which Allah (swt) states is of no avail against the truth. After that Allah (swt) reveals that the Quran is from Him and it confirms the previous revelations. This, as explained earlier, means that the Quran confirms it by repeating that which was revealed in their respective times i.e. repeats what was revealed, the way it was revealed onto Moses, David and Jesus (pbut).
Chapter 12 Verse 111
There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it,- a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to any such as believe.
Notice again in this verse of the Quran, the message that what the Jews and Christians of those times read is uncorrupted, is simply missing. The name of the Surah in which this verse exists is Surah Yusuf (Joseph) and it mainly deals with the stories of the past. Now notice the Quran stats that in the stories of the prophets (pbut), there is an instruction. It states that it is a confirmation of what was before it. How is the Quran confirming? Using what methodology? The methodology of narrating the stories in their pristine forms and informing the People of the Book that this is how the story went and this is what was revealed. So whatever is true in the Bible is confirmed and whatever is not is automatically corrected. This is the simple methodology used by Allah (swt). He simply repeats the events as they occurred thus confirming the truth in the Bible and correcting the errors. The Quran never states that it is confirming the Bible which the Christians read. It is stating over and over again that it is only confirming that which was revealed before by Allah (swt) – only that part.
Chapter 3 Verse 3
It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).
This is a really interesting verse and actually proves to the contrary what the Christian missionaries wish to prove. This verse also proves the above explanations which I have been giving regarding how the Quran confirms and the methodology it uses to confirm the previous scriptures.
Notice that Allah (swt) states in this verse that the Quran has been sent as a Criterion. When one has a criterion then one judges according to it. So the Quran confirms what was sent down before it by becoming the Criterion to judge. Hence Muslims are to judge the Bible according to the Criterion. That which is attested by the Quran (The Criterion) that is accepted by the Muslims as to be the Word of God in the Bible. That what is corrected, we consider it to be a human fabrication.
Chapter 5 Verses 46 – 48
And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.
Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel.
To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;
Taking verse 46 into consideration we see that Allah (swt) only talks about Jesus (pbuh) being sent as a prophet. This verse itself does not prove that the Bible is uncorrupted. However the Christian missionaries say that they have same Torah today as it was during the time of Jesus and the evidence they give is the existence of the ‘Septuagint’. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:
“The three most celebrated manuscripts of the Septuagint known are the Vatican, "Codex Vaticanus" (fourth century); the Alexandrian, "Codex Alexandrinus" (fifth century), now in the British Museum, London; and that of Sinai, "Codex Sinaiticus" (fourth century), found by Tischendorf in the convent of St. Catherine, on Mount Sinai, in 1844 and 1849, now part at Leipzig and in part in St. Petersburg; they are all written in uncials.”
Hence we see that the Septuagint today is not from during the time of Jesus. The earliest manuscript dates to the fourth century some 300 years after Jesus. Thus no Christian can claim that the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers) which they have today in the Bible is the same as to what was present in the Septuagint during the time of Jesus.
Now in verse 47 we find that the verse says “let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein”. Any person having the slightest comprehension skills would be able to tell that the verse is talking about what Allah (swt) has revealed in the Gospel – not the entire Bible. However if we take into consideration that the verse is referring to the Bible, even so the verse talks of letting them judge according to what Allah (swt) has revealed and not according to the corruption made by man.
Now if the Quran meant to preach that the Bible which the Christians hold in their hands is pure from corruption then it would have said “let the Christians judge by the Gospel” (or “Bible” – whichever of the two words; it does not matter in the present context). However notice that the verse does not state that but says “judge by what Allah hath revealed therein”. In other words do not judge by what the human hands have written but only by what Allah (swt) has revealed.
The key to these two verses rests in the next verse i.e. verse 48. In this verse we can see that Allah (swt) states that the Quran is sent in truth, confirming that what came before it and guarding it in safety. The Arabic word used here is “Muhaymin” which means ‘Guardian’, ‘Protector’ and ‘Trustworthy’. According to Al-Mawrid Arabic to English dictionary the word means ‘dominant, dominating, predominant, preponderant, prevailing, controlling, commanding, governing, reigning, ruling; (absolute) master, ruler, overlord’ – [Al Mawrid Arabic to English Dictionary pg. 1135].
Allah (swt) thus says that the Quran is a guardian over the previous scriptures. It is guarding them. What is it guarding it against? It is guarding it from the corruptions that the human hands have done in the Bible. It is correcting the corruptions made in the Bible and thus protecting it. The role of a guardian is to guide and correct the errors.
Many Christian missionaries falsely claim that “muhaymin” was understood by Muslims of the past and present to mean that the Bible in the form it was in those days was uncorrupted. We will check some of the sources of the past and present to see whether they really believed the Bible in those days to be uncorrupted.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
“(and Muhayminan over it) means entrusted over it, according to Sufyan Ath-Thawri who narrated it from Abu Ishaq from At-Tamimi from Ibn `Abbas. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Muhaymin is, ‘the Trustworthy’. Allah says that the Quran is trustworthy over every Divine Book that preceded it.'' This was reported from `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Mujahid, Muhammad bin Ka`b, `Atiyyah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, `Ata' Al-Khurasani, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd. Ibn Jarir said, "The Quran is trustworthy over the Books that preceded it. Therefore, whatever in these previous Books conforms to the Quran is true, and whatever disagrees with the Qur'an is false.'' Al-Walibi said that Ibn `Abbas said that Muhayminan means, ‘Witness’. Mujahid, Qatadah and As-Suddi said the same. Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas said that Muhayminan means, ‘dominant over the previous Scriptures’. These meanings are similar, as the word Muhaymin includes them all. Consequently, the Quran is trustworthy, a witness, and dominant over every Scripture that preceded it. This Glorious Book, which Allah revealed as the Last and Final Book, is the most encompassing, glorious and perfect Book of all times. The Quran includes all the good aspects of previous Scriptures and even more, which no previous Scripture ever contained. This is why Allah made it trustworthy, a witness and dominant over all Scriptures.”
Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas:
“(And unto the have We revealed the Scripture) We have sent you Gabriel with the Qur'an (with the Truth) to make plain the Truth and falsehood, (confirming) the statement of Allah's divine Oneness and some laws (whatever Scripture was before it) whatever Scriptures were before it, (and a watcher over it) a witness upon all the Scriptures before it; it is also said: a witness upon the ruling of stoning; and it is also said: a watcher over all previous Scriptures.”
It is thus seen that Allah (swt) has kept the Quran as a guardian over the previous scriptures so as to guard what was revealed originally thus showing to us that which is corruption in the Bible.
I will now quote some of the Muslims of the present times to see whether they understand that this verse states that the Bible was uncorrupted or that is got corrupted overtime.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali:
“After the corruption of the older revelation, the Quran comes with a twofold purpose: (1) to confirm the true and original Message and (2) to guard it or act as a check to its interpretation. The Arabic word ‘Muhaymin’ is very comprehensive in meaning. It means one who safeguards, watches over, stands witness, preserves and upholds. The Quran safeguards “the Book”, for it has preserved within it the teachings of all the former Books. It watches over these Books in the sense that it corroborates the Word of Allah which has remained intact in them. It stands as a witness because it bears testimony to the Word of Allah contained in these Books and helps to sort it out from the interpretations and commentaries of the people which were mixed with it; what is confirmed by the Quran is the Word of Allah and what is against it is that of the people.”
Muhammad Asad (His translation is often quoted by Christian missionaries):
“The participle ‘muhaymin’ is derived from the quadrilateral verb ‘haymana’, ‘he watched [over a thing]’ or ‘controlled [it]’, and is used here to describe the Quran as the determinant factor in deciding what is genuine and what is false in the earlier Scriptures.”
Maariful Quran:
“The address is to the Holy Prophet (saw) saying that to him Allah has revealed the Quran which confirms the Torah and Injeel, Books previous to it, and is their custodian as well. This is because, after the people of the Torah altered the Torah and the people of the Injeel made changes in the Injeel, it was the Quran alone which turned out to be the kind overseer and protector which exposed the alterations made by them, lit up truth and reality in their proper perspective. Even today the true teachings of the Torah and Injeel still survive through the Quran.”
So we see the whether we look at the Muslims of the past or the present, they understood the term ‘muhaymin’ to mean the same and the interpretation of the verse has always been the same without any changes.
Some Christian missionaries bring to notice that one of the names of Allah (swt) is “AL-MUHAYMIN”. So let us see whether the meaning and explanation of the word “muhaymin” fits with harmony in both the verse and as one of the attributes of Allah (swt).
Muhaymin, according to early Muslims as taken from Ibn Kathir, means the following: Witness and Trustworthy. This word also means ‘Guardian’, ‘Supervisor’ or ‘Protector’. Now do these fit Allah (swt) and the verse in harmony? Yes!
Allah (swt) is our Guardian and hence has given us guidelines to correct ourselves just the way the Quran is the guardian over the Bible, correcting it. Allah (swt) is the Protector and has given us a way to protect ourselves by correcting our mistakes just as the way the Quran corrects the Bible in order to protect what was revealed in the previous scriptures. Allah (swt) is Witness to all that is being done just like the Quran is a witness to the changes made in the Bible thus correcting them.
Hence we see that the definition fits perfectly to Allah (swt) as well as the Quran thus refuting any claims that would suggest otherwise. The Quran is now a guardian over what was revealed before and thus people can learn the truth in the previous scriptures by looking at those parts which the Quran confirms and those which the Quran rejects.
Chapter 2 Verse 41
And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject Faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price; and fear Me, and Me alone.
When we read the verse preceding this, we find that these verses refer to the Children of Israel where Allah (swt) asks them to fulfill the Covenant. Then in this verse Allah (swt) is telling them to believe in what He reveals which confirms the revelation which is with them. So the Quran again is confirming that which is a revelation and not that which is corrupted by human hands. Then we read the next verse:
And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).
Thus it becomes apparent that the Quran is telling the Jews not to conceal the Truth. How would the Truth be concealed? The Truth would be concealed by following human corruptions rather than following what Allah (swt) has revealed.
Chapter 2 Verse 89
And when there comes to them a Book from Allah, confirming what is with them,- although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without Faith,- when there comes to them that which they (should) have recognized, they refuse to believe in it but the curse of Allah is on those without Faith.
Once again this verse is seen to hold the same meaning as that of ‘Saddaqa’ explained above. The Quran which is from Allah (swt) is confirming the truth that which is with the People of the Book. Over and over again we find that the Noble Quran tells us that it is confirming the truth in the previous revelations. The Quran is speaking the truth about what is with the People of the Book. Therefore it is clear that the Quran is not testifying that the entire Bible is preserved but is only confirming the truth that is with the People of the Book thus naturally correcting the corrupted part.
Chapter 2 Verse 91
When it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah Hath sent down, "they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us:" yet they reject all besides, even if it be Truth confirming what is with them. Say: "Why then have ye slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by, if ye did indeed believe?"
This verse is connected to the one explained above. The Quran says that the People of the Book reject the Truth which is confirming that which is with them. What does the Truth confirm? The Truth would but natural confirm that which is the truth. Thus as explained above many times in this section, the Quran, being the Truth, confirms the Truth that is with the People of the Book and not that which is falsehood created by human intervention.
Chapter 2 Verse 97
Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel-for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah's will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe,-
This verse is from the same Surah as the previous two verses and talks about those who are enemies to Gabriel. Gabriel is an angel who brought the revelations to Prophet Muhammad (saw). The revelation is referred to as a confirmation of what went before. This means that this revelation (Quran) confirms what actually happened before thus exposing the falsehood that might be there in the minds or the scriptures of the People of the Book. Further the Quran is called ‘guidance’ for those who believe and if the purpose of the Quran was to state that the entire Bible is uncorrupted then it would not refer to itself as guidance to those who believe because the Bible would still be guidance to those who do not believe.
Chapter 2 Verse 101
And when there came to them a messenger from Allah, confirming what was with them, a party of the people of the Book threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs, as if (it had been something) they did not know!
We find that again the same word is used in this verse of the Quran. Thus when Allah (swt) sent his Messenger (saw) to confirm the truth in what was with the People of the Book (here the verse refers to the Jews), some of them who realized that it was by default exposing the falsehood, refused to consider what the Messenger (saw) was saying by pretending as if they do not even know what their books had in it. If the Quran was testifying that their scripture is in its pristine form then the Jews would not have pretended as if they knew not what was in their scriptures. The reason why they pretended as such was because they saw that an unlettered Prophet (saw) was bringing out the truth in their books and by default exposing the falsehood. The Jews knew that if they would look at the truth in their books then it would prove that Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the Messenger of Allah (swt) and thus they chose to ignore their books completely.
Chapter 3 Verse 39
While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him: "Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a prophet,- of the (goodly) company of the righteous."
Basically this verse has nothing to do with whether the Quran testifies that the entire Bible is in its pristine form or not. However Christians use this verse to state that the word ‘Saddaqa’ in this verse means to ‘confirm’ and thus they try to derive a conclusion that the Quran confirms the entire Bible.
Let us apply the same explanation which I have been giving regarding this root word ‘Saddaqa’ to this verse and see if the meaning of this verse changes. Yahya (as) or John the Baptist as the Christians call him was supposed to confirm the truth of a Word from Allah. So he was supposed to confirm the truth not the falsehood just as Quran confirms the truth and not the falsehood in the Bible.
Chapter 3 Verse 50
(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me.
This verse again has nothing to do with the Quran confirming anything. However the Christians quote it due to the same root word ‘Saddaqa’ in it. Once again if we use the same application of the word ‘Saddaqa’ in this verse, it only means that Jesus (as) was confirming the truth which came before him and not the falsehood, if any, in the Torah at that time.
Chapter 3 Verse 81
Behold! Allah took the covenant of the prophets, saying: "I give you a Book and Wisdom; then comes to you a messenger, confirming what is with you; do ye believe in him and render him help." Allah said: "Do ye agree, and take this my Covenant as binding on you?" They said: "We agree." He said: "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."
Once again this verse is quoted by the Christian missionaries due to the root word. If again we apply the same definition of ‘Saddaqa’ i.e. ‘to speak the truth’, ‘to be true’ etc to this verse, we will find that it fits in most appropriately. Here Allah (swt) is telling the prophets that He will give to them a Book and Wisdom and then later a messenger will confirm (speak the truth, be true, sincere) that which is with the prophets then will they believe in him or not. Again the deception which the missionaries are trying to create falls apart.
Chapter 4 Verse 47
O ye People of the Book! believe in what We have (now) revealed, confirming what was (already) with you, before We change the face and fame of some (of you) beyond all recognition, and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers, for the decision of Allah Must be carried out.
This is yet another verse with the root word ‘Saddaqa’ in it. So is the Quran stating that it confirms the entire Bible? Not in the least. The Quran yet again speaks the truth and confirms the truth in that which was with them. In the next verse we see that Allah (swt) states “Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him”.
As we all know the Bible does ascribe partners to Allah (swt) and Allah (swt) is condemning such an act labeling it as unforgivable. Now if the Quran was suggesting that the entire Bible was uncorrupted then the Quran would not condemn their fundamental belief. The fact that the Quran is condemning it means that the Quran confirms the truth in the Bible and by default exposes the falsehood.
Chapter 6 Verse 92
And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it: that thou mayest warn the mother of cities and all around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this (Book), and they are constant in guarding their prayers.
This verse again like the numerous verses above says that the Quran confirms (speaks the truth regarding, is true, sincere) to what came before it. Hence it only confirms that which was actually revealed by Allah (swt) during the time of Moses (as) and during the time of Jesus (as). It in no way means that it is to confirm that the entire Bible is a hundred percent the Word of God.
Chapter 37 Verse 52
“Who used to say, ‘what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?’”
Similar to the previous verses this again talks of confirming the Truth – not the falsehood. By confirming the Truth, falsehood by default gets exposed. That is exactly what the role of the Quran is – to confirm the truth in the Bible and thus by default expose the falsehood present in it.
Chapter 46 Verse 12
And before this, was the Book of Moses as a guide and a mercy: And this Book confirms (it) in the Arabic tongue; to admonish the unjust, and as Glad Tidings to those who do right.
The Quran again declares that it confirm the Book of Moses and its methodology to do so is that it speaks of that which was revealed at the time of Moses (in the Arabic language i.e. language of the Quran), thus correcting by default that which is corrupted.
Chapter 46 Verse 30
They said, “O our people! We have heard a Book revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it: it guides (men) to the Truth and to a Straight Path.”
This verse is regarding the Jinns. The Jinns who heard the Quran went to their people and told them about the Quran which was revealed after Moses. They tell them that it confirms what came before it and that it guide to the Truth. The fact that it guides to the Truth means that the Quran confirms that which is true. But natural, Truth confirms the truth only. Truth can never confirm the falsehood hence the Quran is a guide to the Truth and thus will bring out what is true in the Bible while by default exposing that which is a corruption.
Chapter 61 Verse 6
And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!"
Due to the usage of the root word ‘Saddaqa’ the Christian missionaries try to use this verse as a support for their misinterpretation of the Quran. By Jesus saying that he is here to confirm the Law, it does not mean that everything is true. By confirming again we see that it means that Jesus is speaking the truth regarding what was revealed to Moses. Hence let us assume that the Torah was uncorrupted at that time. If so, Jesus would speak that which was revealed in the Torah and it would naturally confirm what was in the scriptures. If now we assume that the Torah was corrupted, Jesus would still speak that which was revealed during the time of Moses, thus confirming what was revealed to Moses and by default exposing the falsehood.
4c. Verses where Quran tells Prophet Muhammad (saw) about the Bible
The following are the verses in which the Quran asks Prophet Muhammad (saw) to ‘refer’ to the People of the Book.
These verses are:
Chapter 10 Verse 94
Chapter 16 Verse 43 – 44
Chapter 2 Verse 113
Chapter 5 Verse 68
Chapter 10 Verse 94
If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt.
When we read the verse preceding this we find that Allah (swt) is telling Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the Quran regarding the Children of Israel and how much Allah (swt) blessed these people.
We settled the Children of Israel in a beautiful dwelling-place, and provided for them sustenance of the best: it was after knowledge had been granted to them, that they fell into schisms. Verily Allah will judge between them as to the schisms amongst them, on the Day of Judgment. – [Chapter 10 Verse 93]
Then in this verse Allah (swt) tells Prophet Muhammad (saw) to ask them if he does not believe in what is revealed. So Prophet Muhammad (saw) is instructed to ask regarding this particular information if he does not believe what Allah (swt) has revealed to him. Hence he would ask the Children of Israel whether they were blessed by Allah (swt) or whether disputes did occur between them. This therefore does not prove that the Quran endorses the entire Bible to be the complete Word of God.
Chapter 16 Verses 43 – 44
And before thee also the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: if ye realize this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
(We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may give thought.
Again we see a similar message in the Quran. In verse 43, the Quran mentions that Allah (swt) sent messengers before Prophet Muhammad (saw) who were none but men and they were given the inspiration. Then in the latter part of the verse it tells Prophet Muhammad (saw) that he can confirm with the People who possess this Message. So what is Prophet Muhammad (saw) to confirm? Simply, that whether men were sent as messengers or not. Further one can ask whether these men were granted any inspiration. So for a moment if we assume that the Bible in those days was corrupted, then does this verse fall apart? No! The Bible being corrupted has this Message in it that men with inspiration were sent in the past.
In verse 44 we find that again a similar message is given. Allah (swt) states that these messengers of the past were sent with clear signs and books. Then Prophet Muhammad (saw) is told that he is also given the Message so that he can ‘explain clearly to men what is sent for them’. This proves that the Bible was corrupted and its message was distorted hence the Quran has been sent to ‘explain clearly to mean what is sent for them’.
Also see the this verse 16:43 under the next section titled ‘Quran calls the Bible al-Ththikra’
Chapter 2 Verse 113
The Jews say: "The Christians have naught (to stand) upon; and the Christians say: "The Jews have naught (To stand) upon." Yet they (Profess to) study the (same) Book. Like unto their word is what those say who know not; but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel on the Day of Judgment.
This verse of the Quran refers to Christians and Jews saying that they read the Scripture yet they argue that they are right and the other is wrong. In simpler terms, they both read the same books and yet they fight accusing each other for being on the wrong path. So this verse has nothing to do with the Quran testifying that the entire Bible is the uncorrupted word of God.
Chapter 5 Verse 68
Say: "O People of the Book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.
The message in this verse is very clear. The People of the Book are told that they should follow the Law and the Gospel and all the revelation that has come to them. This includes the Quran. Now if the Quran is testifying that the entire Bible is uncorrupted then why would they be required to stand fast by the Quran? However if the message in the Quran is that the Bible indeed get corrupted then by holding fast to the Quran they can hold fast to the Law and the Gospel because the Quran confirms the truth in these books and thus the true revelations of the Law and the Gospel are preserved in the Quran.
4d. Quran calls the Bible ‘al-Ththikra’
The Christians quote Chapter 15 verse 9 and say that God says that He has sent the Message and will guard it. The Arabic word used for Message is ‘ththikra’. This verse refers to the Quran but the Christian missionaries say that in the Quran the Bible is also referred to as ‘ththikra’ and hence the Quran in a wider context means that the Bible can also not get corrupted.
The verses quoted by Christians in the Quran that refer to the previous messages as ‘ththikra’ are as follows:
Chapter 16 Verse 43
Chapter 21 Verse 7
Chapter 21 Verse 105
Chapter 40 Verses 53 – 54
In all these verses, we find that the previous messages are referred to as ‘ththikra’. So does the Quran include these messages in Chapter 15 Verse 9?
Not at all! In all of these verses the message is referred to in the past tense. In none of these verses does it state that the People of the Book possess the message (‘ththikra’). Chapter 15 Verse 9 only refers to the present context and thus excludes the doings of men in the past.
Moreover in a much wider context, the Quran safeguards the true revelations of the Torah and the Injeel and thus Allah (swt) is saying that He will guard it from corruption. Thus by guarding the Quran, He is also guarding the true revelations of the Torah and the Injeel.
4e. Bring forth like Quran and Torah
Now the Christian missionaries quote two verses of the Quran and claim that the Quran presents the challenge to bring forth something like the Quran and Torah.
Chapter 28 Verses 48 – 49
But (now), when the Truth has come to them from Ourselves, they say, "Why are not (Signs) sent to him, like those which were sent to Moses?" Do they not then reject (the Signs) which were formerly sent to Moses? They say: "Two kinds of sorcery, each assisting the other!" And they say: "For us, we reject all (such things)!"
Say: "Then bring ye a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than either of them, that I may follow it! (do), if ye are truthful!"
As we have seen in all the previous verses, the Quran is confirming the truth in the Torah over and over again by repeating the truth which was still present in the Torah and correcting by default that which was corrupted. Hence people said that both these books are assisting each other as whatever truth the Quran confirmed, was found to be true in the Torah. Thus people labeled these two as ‘sorcery’ and thus rejected it. Then in the next verse Allah (swt) tells them to bring a book from Allah (swt) which is a better guide than either of the two i.e. Quran and Torah. Note that the verse uses the phrase ‘better guide’ thus it does not mean that the entire Torah was uncorrupted. Guidance in the Torah is seen to be much better than what is found even in the New Testament. While the laws in the Torah are similar to those found in the Quran, the corruption by the scribes, have introduced completely new laws in the New Testament. Thus in general no doubt the guidance in the Torah is better and thus the Quran tells them to bring a book from Allah that is a better guide than the Quran and Torah. Further, because the Quran kept on confirming the truth in the Torah, the people knew of what was part of the original scripture and thus as a better guide either of the two books could be placed as a challenge. The challenge is yet not to produce a book which is a better guide than these two but to bring from Allah a book which is a better guide than these two. This statement is different from the challenge of the Quran to produce a book like, or a Surah like the Quran. That challenge is for men to sit and produce like a book like Quran. Over here the challenge is to bring a book from Allah that is a better guide.
5. Conclusion
We went through all the verses that the Christians give to present their case that the Quran testifies that the entire Bible is the uncorrupted word of God. After going through these verses, the deception which the Christendom tries to create was exposed. It was seen that the Quran does not in any way testify that the Bible is completely uncorrupted. The Quran acts like a guardian over the Bible (5:48) and preserves the true revelations sent to Moses (as) and Jesus (as). It confirms the truth in the Bible thus by default exposing the falsehood in them. This paper was only to refute the verses they quote. In another article I will give evidence from the Quran to prove that the Bible indeed was corrupted.
- Ebrahim Saifuddin
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