The Qur’an as the infallible final testament to all of mankind

Now keep in mind that Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the literal word of God and the culmination of God's revelation to mankind of how to properly conduct oneself on Earth and how to serve the Almighty. It is the final testament sent down to the final Prophet Muhammad by God and transmitted through the Angel Gabriel.

Muslims also believe that God sent down the Tawrat (Torah) to Prophet Moses and the Injil (Gospel) to Prophet Jesus (peace be upon them); all were sent as guides to mankind. However, a lot of the original Torah and Gospel have been either lost or have been corrupted by deviant men, but some truth can still be found in some of the Biblical scripture where God is talking.

This is a historical fact you can confirm through research for yourself. I mean just look at how many times throughout history the Bible was rewritten and re-interpreted. This fact is even known in pop culture, for example the Davinci Code describes a lot of the controversy that surrounded Christianity, not to say the Davinci Code is some kind of story to base your beliefs off.

However, in contrast to today’s "Biblical scripture" the Qur’an exists exactly as it was when it was sent over 1400 years ago. Many people today still memorize the Qur’an from beginning to end. It’s rhythmic pattern allows for easy memorization. I once met a 15 year-old boy who had the entire Qur’an memorized within a span of 2-years.

Find the oldest Qur’an today and compare it to what we have now in the original Arabic, and you’ll find the exact same text. The Nature of the book and the way in which it was transmitted is entirely different than that of the Bible. These important differences must be taken into serious consideration when comparing the Bible to the Qur'an.

"And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?" – Qur’an English Translation [54:32]

"And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him." – Qur’an English Translation [18:27]
 

“degrees shall We teach thee to declare (the Message), so thou shalt not forget,” – Qur’an English Translation [87:6]

The next two Verses from the Qur’an actually guarantee it’s protection from the corruption that was transgressed upon the Torah and Gospel by mankind of earlier times:

“We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).” – Qur’an English Translation [15:9]

“Nay, this is a Glorious Qur'an, (Inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved!” – Qur’an English Translation [85:21-22]

The Past Revelations mentioned in the Qur'an: Torah, Psalms, Gospel

The next few verses describe the Original Torah, Psalms, and Gospel that were respectively given to the Prophets Moses, David, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). However, what we label today as the "Torah, Psalms, and Gospel" do not necessarily coincide with the original revelations that the Qur'an speaks of.

Indeed, Muslims believe that the original messages or "books of revelation" from which these titles derive were direct quotes of inspiration from God and NOT quotes and accounts written by men such as we see in today's Biblical scripture. E.g., the original books were similar to that of the Qur'an, where God speaks from the text in the 1st Person voice directly communicating with mankind a message of guidance.

"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).” – Qur’an English Translation [3:3]

"And We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance" - Qur’an English Translation [23:49]

"We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms."  – Qur’an English Translation [4:163]

"And it is your Lord that knoweth best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some Prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms." - Qur’an English Translation [17:55]
 

"And in their footsteps, We sent 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) confirming the Taurat (Torah) that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Taurat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for the God-conscious).” – Qur’an English Translation [5:46]

Indeed, all of the original revelations sent to mankind through the ages all contained the same underlying message stressing the "Oneness" of God and the importance of submitting one's Will to God as God mentions in the Qur'an in the following verse:

"Not an apostle did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. And they say: "(Allah) God Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). If any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong." - Qur’an English Translation [21:25-29]

"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 (God) and your Allah (God) is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam, submission to God)." – Qur’an English Translation [29:46]

"Nor did the People of the Book make schisms, until after there came to them Clear Evidence. And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practice regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight." – Qur’an English Translation [98:4-5]
 

The Ten Commandments in the Qur'an

Islam (Submission to the will of God) is the same and only religion ever given to the human race. It is the religion of  Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, Muhammad and all the other messengers mentioned or not mentioned in the scripture, may peace be upon all of them.

The Ten Commandments as we see them here are nothing more than the same message given to the Prophet Muhammad. See the following table.

The Bible admits being tampered with

The Bible, however, admits that it got corrupted in very plain text. Thus the slight difference in scriptures as they appear today and more importantly the reason God sent the Qur'an to clear up the confusion once and for all.

From the NIV Version:

"How can you say, ‘We [the Jews] are wise, for we have the law of the LORD,’ when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?” - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Jeremiah 8:8)"

The Revised Standard Version makes it even clearer:

"How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us'? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.  - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Jeremiah 8:8)"

Clearly the above verse speaks the truth in relating to the scribes falsifying the original text. This has already been demonstrated as presented in the previous section pertaining to the clear errors and contradictions of the Bible. Although these errors are openly recognized by Christians today, some may attempt to further defend the Bible by arguing the following:

 “If you're looking for absolute historical accuracy in 'who, what, when, where, why', then you can find issues in both the Qur’an and Bible.”

However, I beg to differ, the Qur’an has a higher quality control than that of the Bible. For proof simply refer back to the previous section on the errors. Additionally, just to give one small example of Qur'anic precision lets compare Biblical Vs Qur'anic accounts of the same story.

We'll take a look at the story of Abraham and the offering of his son as a sacrifice. The Bible claims Isaac was to offer while the Qur’an claims that it was Ishmael. Obviously both accounts cannot be true. Using evidence from the Bible we can without a shadow of a doubt prove that the Qur’anic account is the more accurate of the two.

The following site proves this without a doubt using logic and reasoning:

http://www.why-christians-convert-to-islam.com/nice201.htm

And don’t get me wrong I know the story of Abraham doesn’t effect the central beliefs of a Christian, however, that’s not my point nor intention here. The point is that the Qur’an is more historically accurate, this is just one small example from which there are many. The Qur'an remains today as the unchanged Word of God without error or contradiction.

"Therefore let whoso will, keep it in remembrance. (It is) in Books held (greatly) in honour, Exalted (in dignity), kept pure and holy, (Written) by the hands of scribes- Honourable and Pious and Just."– Qur’an English Translation [80:12-17]

 

God's infallible Qur'an challenge

Indeed, from the Qur'an, God directly challenges the reader to find an error:

“Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah (God), they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy.”– Qur’an English Translation [4:82]

Now tell me, what kind of man talks with such bold words if this book truly wasn’t from God? How many other religious texts do you know that make such explicit challenges? And thus far, everyone who has tried to point to a “discrepancy” has been successfully refuted.

You’ll find many websites off of search engines like Google in which Anti-Islamic Apologetics try to lay claims to “Qur’anic Errors.” However, I must warn you; All of the so called errors you’ll read about have all been refuted by various scholars, scientists, and professionals throughout the past 1400 years that the Qur’an has been around.

For the detailed rebuttals to the Anti-Islamic Apologetic's claim to the so called "Errors" in the Noble Qur'an:

http://www.answering-christianity.com/quran/quranerr.htm

http://www3.sympatico.ca/shabir.ally/claimed_contradictions.htm
 

God's answer to people who question the Quran's source of authorship and the integrity of the Messenger

Additionally, some Anti-Islamic Apologists try to make the case that the Qur'an was the work of the Devil and that Prophet Muhammad was a man possessed. Some attempt to claim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a forger of previous revelations of scripture. However, God directly answers those who make these false allegations using perfect logic and reason:

"No evil ones have brought down this (Revelation): It would neither suit them nor would they be able (to produce it). Indeed they have been removed far from even (a chance of) hearing it." – Qur’an English Translation [26:210-212]

If the Qur'an was the work of the Devil than why would the Devil warn believers to seek God's protection from himself? And why would the Devil instruct people to live a pious life?

"When thou dost read the Qur'an, seek Allah's protection from Satan the rejected one. No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with Allah. When We substitute one revelation for another,- and Allah knows best what He reveals (in stages),- they say, "Thou art but a forger": but most of them understand not. Say, the Holy Spirit  has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims." – Qur’an English Translation [16:98-102]

*(note: the Holy Spirit reference is to that of the Angel Gabriel, not the Trinitarian 1/3 of God)

Indeed Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) was a true Messenger of God.

"Verily this is the word of a most honorable Messenger,  Endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne, With authority there, (and) faithful to his trust. And (O people!) your companion is not one possessed; And without doubt he saw him (Angel Gabriel) in the clear horizon. Neither doth he withhold grudgingly a knowledge of the Unseen. Nor is it the word of an evil spirit accursed.  When whither go ye? Verily this is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds: (With profit) to whoever among you wills to go straight: But ye shall not will except as Allah wills,- the Cherisher of the Worlds." – Qur’an English Translation [81:19-29]

"Never comes (aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Lord, but they listen to it as in jest,- Their hearts toying as with trifles. The wrong-doers conceal their private counsels, (saying), "Is this (one) more than a man like yourselves? Will ye go to witchcraft with your eyes open?" Say: 'My Lord knoweth (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth: He is the One that heareth and knoweth (all things).'

"Nay," they say, "(these are) medleys of dream! - Nay, He forged it! - Nay, He is (but) a poet! Let him then bring us a Sign like the ones that were sent to (Prophets) of old!" (As to those) before them, not one of the populations which We destroyed believed: will these believe? Before thee, also, the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: If ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message. Nor did We give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they exempt from death. In the end We fulfilled to them Our Promise, and We saved them and those whom We pleased, but We destroyed those who transgressed beyond bounds. We have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will ye not then understand?" – Qur’an English Translation [21:2-10]

In Conclusion, The Qur'an makes things clear

In conclusion, Muslims do believe in an inspired Torah and an Inspired Gospel as God clearly instructs us in the Qur’an. However, unequivocal evidence has shown that the WORD OF MAN has become confused with the Word of God, thus resulting in some of the historical and theological differences in the Qur’an and the Bible. Again, the Qur’an was sent as the final Quality Control to clear up the confusion:
 

"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." – Qur’an English Translation [12:111]

"Verily this Qur'an doth explain to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree. And it certainly is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe. Verily thy Lord will decide between them by His Decree: and He is Exalted in Might, All-Knowing. So put thy trust in Allah. for thou art on (the path of) manifest Truth." - Qur’an English Translation [27:76-79]

"A. L. R. These are the Ayats (verses) of Revelation,- of a Qur'an that makes things clear" – Qur’an English Translation [15:1]
 

"It is Allah (God) Who has sent down the Book in Truth, and the Balance (by which to weigh conduct). And what will make thee realize that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?" – Qur’an English Translation [42:17]

"Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):" – Qur’an English Translation [86:13]

For more on the Injil (Gospel):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injil

For more on the Taurat (Torah):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawrat

http://www.al-kitab.org/webkitab/Taurat.htm

For more on the Noble Qur’an click on the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran

http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_201_250/quran_speaks_about_the_quran.htm

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