DOES QURAN INVALIDATE BIBLE?
Salamun alikum,
Thanks very much for raising this important issue. You have addressed the issue correctly brother whereas so many native Arabs falsely believe Quran supersedes Bible! Dr Rashid Khalifa mistakenly translated the verse in such way as well. He was an honest and trustworthy man but definitely he is not above error being a human being.
We worship God alone and not any messenger (rasul). This again proves that language is not an issue at all to get God’s true guidance. All you need to have a sincere heart. If we assume Quran supersedes Bible then many contradictions will be emerged from the Quran. But God’s message never can be contradictory. Let me give few examples:
[The Quran 3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, “I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him.” He said, “Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?” They said, “We agree.” He said, “You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you.”
In the above verse the messenger of the covenant would confirm all existing scriptures and not the Quran alone. This also confirms another important issue; like Bible (Torah, Injel, Pslams etc.) Quran (Mushaf) also could be corrupted to some extent. Dr Rashid proved that, yes, Quran is corrupted to some extent. God will preserve His original Quran in Lawhe Mahfuz and not the paper Quran (Mushaf) as many people mistakenly believe.
[5:43] Why do they ask you to judge among them, when they have the Torah, containing GOD’s law, and they chose to disregard it? They are not believers.
[5:44] We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD’s scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the disbelievers.
God clearly says Jews people must follow their own scripture (Torah). God does not say after prophet Muhammad Jews need to follow the Quran. Even during Muhammad’s time Jews had to follow their own scripture.
True Christians, Jews, Muslims and for anybody God gives good news under the conditions of:
[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[5:69] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, and the Christians; any of them who (1) believe in GOD and (2) believe in the Last Day, and (3) lead a righteous life, have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
Obviously, God is not saying that to get God’s pleasure one must follow the Quran alone
[22:67] For each congregation, we have decreed a set of rites that they must uphold. Therefore, they should not dispute with you. You shall continue to invite everyone to your Lord. Most assuredly, you are on the right path.
Yes, Muslims, Christians and Jews have different rites and rituals and they must uphold their own religious rituals which could find in their own scriptures. Thank you and may Allah guide me.
Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman, MSc (RU, 1st class 1st), MSc (NUS), PhD (UK)
— On Sun, 12/9/12, Student of the Quran
Salamun Alaykum.
The Quran does not “supercede” the previous scriptures. It is the “guardian over them” or in Arabic “muhayminan alayhi” –
[5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and “muhayminan alayhi”. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD’s revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny – all of you – then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.
The above understanding can be derived from many verses of the Quran. For example:
[5:66] If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.
A true Jew will accept the message of the Quran and believe in Jesus as the Messiah.
[3:45] The angels said, “O Mary, GOD gives you good news: a Word from Him whose name is `The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary. He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter, and one of those closest to Me.’
A true Christian will accept the message of the Quran and consider Jesus as the Messenger of God.
[2:87] We gave Moses the scripture, and subsequent to him we sent other messengers, and we gave Jesus, son of Mary, profound miracles and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Is it not a fact that every time a messenger went to you with anything you disliked, your ego caused you to be arrogant? Some of them you rejected, and some of them you killed.
A true Muslim will accept the message of the Quran and will not differentiate between Mohammad and any other messengers of God:
[2:136] Say, “We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.”
Thank you and may God guide me,
Muhammed Irtaza
[33:62] God’s Sunnah is unchangeable
[39:23] The Quran is the best Hadith