Open Letter to a Muslim Friend #2--What is the Qur'an's Testimony Concerning the Bible--"al-Kitab al-Moqaddis"?

Dear Friend,

In our recent conversation you suggested, as do many Muslims, that the Bible has been changed, altered or falsified? This is a charge not only against the integrity of the Tawrat, the Zabur and the Injil, but is in contradiction to the testimony of the Qur'an itself. Muhammad (pbuh), as is recorded in the Qur'an, acknowledges the divine and unaltered "Book", the Bible. Many ayats from the Qur'an could be cited, but I limit myself to just a few of those.

1. The Qur'an calls Jews and Christians "people of the book" (ahl al-kitab) and those who have received the Scriptures.

          "Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship      none but Allah, and that we will ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for Lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered." (al-Imran 3:64)

2. The Qur'an says that the Old Testament (Tawrat and Zabur) and the New Testament (Injil) are true Scriptures which God revealed to His people.

          "Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and light, by which the Prophets who surrendered judged the Jews and the rabbis and the priests by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not my revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers."  (al-Ma'ida 5:44)

          "And we verily gave Moses the guidance, and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit the Scripture."  (al-Ghafir 40:53)

          "Lo! We inspire thee as We inspired Noah and the prophets after him, as We inspired Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and Jesus and Job and Jonah, and Aaron and Solomon and as We imparted unto David the Psalms."  (an-Nisa' 4:163)

          "And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was revealed before him, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was revealed before it in the Torah--a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off evil. Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed, such are evil-livers." (al-Mai'da 5:46, 47)

3.  The Qur'an says that the words of Allah, the biblical Scriptures, are unchangeable.

          "And recite that which hath been revealed unto thee of the Scriptures of thy Lord. There is none who can change His words, and thou will find no refuge besides Him." (al-Kahf 18:27)

4.  The Qur'an says that it was given to confirm  the previous Scriptures and to guard them.

          "He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was revealed before it; even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel; aforetime, for a guidance to mankind; and hath revealed the Criterion (of right and wrong). Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, theirs will be a heavy doom. Allah is Mighty, Able to Requite the wrong." (al-'Imran 3:3-4)

          "And this Qur'an is not such as could ever be invented in despite of Allah; but it is a confirmation of that which was revealed before it and an exposition of that which is decreed for mankind--Therein is no doubt--from the Lord of the Worlds." (Yunis 10:37)

5.  The Qur'an exhorts all Muslims to believe in the biblical Scriptures.

          "The messenger believeth in that which hath been revealed unto him from his Lord and so do the believers. Each one believeth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers--We make no distinction between any of His messengers--and they say: We hear, and we obey. Grant us thy forgiveness, our Lord."  (al-Baqara 2:285)

          "O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger and the Scripture He hath revealed unto His messenger, and the Scriptures which He revealed aforetime. Whoso disbelieveth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers and the Last Day, he verily hath wandered far astray." (an-Nisa' 4:136)

6.  The Qur'an says to Muslims that if they have any questions about Allah and the true, straight path, they should ask of those who have the previous Scriptures.

          "And if thou (Muhammad) art in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto thee, then question those who read the Scripture (that was) before thee."  (Yunis 10:94)

          "And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in a way that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender." (an-'Ankabut 29:46)

There, my friend, is the testimony of the Qur'an to the authenticity and truthfulness of the previous Scriptures. We must graciously and honestly conclude that the previous Scriptures have never been altered, falsified or corrupted before or during the lifetime of Muhammad. Perhaps one suggests that these Scriptures then were changed after Muhammad's time. But sincerely, is such an accusation reasonable and supported? If we accept this accusation, then we must also condemn the Qur'an and make Allah to be a liar!  Why so?  Because, as we have read, the Qur'an was given as a "confirmation" and as a "guardian" or "protector" of the previous Scripture.  Has the Qur'an therefore failed in its task?  What do you think of the ayats which say, "There can be no change to the words of Allah" (Yunis 10:64) and "no one can modify the words of Allah" (an-An'am 6:34) ?

The testimony of the Qur'an is that the Bible is authentic and accurate, without change or alteration. You have a responsibility, as a sincere Muslim, to read and understand these Scriptures. We wish to help you in this pilgrimage towards truth and an eternal life. May Allah guide you towards the straight path.

Sincerely,
Khalilullah Brusu