Religion has played a central role in shaping human civilization, morality, and law. Among the most influential scriptures in human history are the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an. While both texts claim divine origin, Islam presents a unique position: it respects the original revelation of the Bible, affirms its divine source, yet asserts that the Bible was meant for a specific time and people and that it has not remained fully preserved.
This article explores:
The historical purpose of the Bible
How the Qur’an confirms and honors it
The process of textual changes over time
A comparative analysis between the Bible and the Qur’an
Historical evidence of alteration from an academic perspective
1. The Holy Bible: A Book for a Specific Time and Nation
From the Islamic perspective, the Bible is not viewed as a single book revealed at once. Instead, it is understood as a collection of divine messages revealed over centuries.
Original Revelation
The Torah (Tawrat) was revealed to Moses (Musa) for the Children of Israel
The Gospel (Injeel) was revealed to Jesus (Isa) for the same community
These revelations addressed specific laws, cultures, and circumstances
The Qur’an states that every prophet was sent to his own people, speaking their language and addressing their conditions. Therefore, the Bible’s laws and teachings were not universal or final, but temporary and contextual.
2. How the Qur’an Approves and Respects the Original Bible
A common misconception is that Islam rejects the Bible entirely. In reality, the Qur’an explicitly affirms the original revelations given to Moses and Jesus.
Qur’anic Confirmation
The Qur’an acknowledges the Torah and the Gospel as divine guidance
It praises Jesus as a beloved prophet and messenger of God
It confirms the moral teachings such as monotheism, justice, compassion, and obedience to God
However, the Qur’an makes an important distinction:
It confirms the original message, not necessarily the existing text in its current form.
3. From Revelation to Compilation: A Brief Historical Overview
Bible Compilation History
Jesus did not write the Gospel himself
The earliest Gospel manuscripts were written decades after Jesus
Original manuscripts no longer exist
The Bible was compiled from many sources, languages, and authors
Church councils later decided which books were included and excluded
Different Christian denominations today still have different versions of the Bible, such as:
Catholic Bible
Protestant Bible
Orthodox Bible
This alone suggests human involvement in preservation and selection.
4. Evidence of Alteration: Historical and Textual Proof
From both Islamic scholars and Western biblical academics, several points are widely acknowledged:
Manuscript Variations
Thousands of biblical manuscripts exist with textual differences
Verses added or removed in later versions
Famous examples include passages that do not appear in the earliest manuscripts
Language Transitions
Original messages were delivered in Hebrew and Aramaic
Later translated into Greek, Latin, and modern languages
Translation inevitably introduces interpretation and loss of original meaning
Doctrinal Development
Core doctrines like the Trinity were formalized centuries later
Early Christian groups held different beliefs about Jesus
These debates influenced later biblical interpretations
From the Islamic viewpoint, these changes were not necessarily intentional corruption by individuals, but the result of human transmission without divine protection.
5. The Qur’an’s Claim: Final and Preserved Revelation
In contrast, the Qur’an presents itself as:
Universal (for all humanity)
Final (no prophet after Muhammad ﷺ)
Divinely preserved
Preservation Mechanism
Memorized by thousands during the Prophet’s lifetime
Written, standardized, and transmitted widely
Preserved in its original Arabic language
No multiple versions with different chapters or verse counts
This is why Muslims believe the Qur’an serves as a criterion—confirming truths from previous scriptures while correcting deviations.
6. Comparison: Bible vs Qur’an
| Aspect | Bible | Qur’an |
|---|---|---|
| Revelation period | Over centuries | 23 years |
| Target audience | Specific nation | All humanity |
| Original manuscripts | Not available | Preserved |
| Language | Multiple | One (Arabic) |
| Versions | Many | One |
| Preservation claim | Human | Divine |
7. Why Islam Still Respects Jesus and the Bible
Despite claiming alteration, Islam:
Honors Jesus as a great prophet
Affirms his miracles
Awaits his second coming
Commands Muslims to respect all prophets
The disagreement is theological, not personal or hostile. Islam argues that:
God’s message was pure, but human transmission was imperfect.
Conclusion
The Islamic perspective on the Bible is neither rejection nor blind acceptance. It is a balanced view:
The Bible was originally divine
It was meant for a specific time and people
Over centuries, human influence altered its text
The Qur’an came as a final, preserved confirmation
This understanding invites dialogue, reflection, and mutual respect rather than conflict. Ultimately, Islam calls humanity back to the core message shared by all prophets:
Worship One God, live morally, and prepare for accountability.