Qur’an or Bible:Which is the Word of God?

Overview of the Bible

• Two major sections: Old Testament & New Testament

• A library of books : law, history, prophecy, poetry.

Details of the Bible

• Written by 40 men (all Jewish except one)• Written over 1400 years• In 3 languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Common

(koine) Greek• Old Testament has 39 books & 23,000 verses,

pointing to Christ • New Testament has 24 books & 8,000 verses,

telling about Christ

Implications from the Bible

• God works through history • God uses all kinds of people• God loves variety but also order (1.Cor.14:33,40)• The supreme revelation of the Bible is Jesus

Christ• The Bible can be read in any language (Acts.2:7-

11) – translated into 2300 languages• God accepts all cultures and languages

(Acts.10:34,35; Rev.7:9)

Overview of the Qur’an

• 114 chapters• Not in chronological order• Arranged by size: biggest smallest• Unsure which chapters came first• Revealed to one man – no witnesses• Based on his 23 years of ministry • 6,200 verses• Written in Qurayshi Arabic

Implications from the Qur’an

• Allah is not as concerned about history and order• The supreme time was the period of Muhammad

(Q.3:110)• Muhammad is the best model for humanity

(Q.33:21)• People should obey Muhammad as they do Allah

(Q.4:80)• They should not ask questions (Q.5:101; 33:36) • The Qur’an can only be read in Arabic (Q.12:1,2)

The Reality

MUSLIMS

82% do not understand

Arabic

THE WORLD

96% do not understand

Arabic

ArabicSpeakers

18%

ArabicSpeakers

4%

Times, places & people in Bible• Chronological order : Genesis (beginnings)

Revelation (the end)• Historical markers: Isaiah 6:1 ; Luke 3:1,2; world

powers• Geographical markers: Genesis 2:14 – Tigris &

Euphrates rivers; Revelation 1:9 – John was on the island of Patmos

• Identifies people: genealogies, titles, relationships• Eyewitness or contemporary accounts: 1.Jn.1:.1-3

Implications from the Bible

• The Bible stands by itself• The Bible invites verification• The Bible tells real stories about real people• The details of their lives are given, including

the bad ones• God is intimately involved in the lives of these

people• God can be involved in our lives too

Times, places & people in Qur’an• Not in chronological order (size of chapter)• No times or dates or reigns• Sparse Geography: ‘Mecca’; ‘Medina’ (x 2) ‘Arafat’; ‘Badr’; ‘Safa & Marwa’ ‘Bakkah’; ‘Hunain’; ‘Rome’ (x 1) ; Persia & Ethiopia (x 0) • Dead People: All but two people named were

dead: 28 prophets, Pharoah, Al-Aziz; only one woman named (Mary)

• Contemporary people: Muhammad x 4 ; ‘Abu Lahab’ x1

Q.58:1• “Indeed Allah has heard the statement of her that

disputes with you concerning her husband , and complains to Allah. And Allah hears the argument between you both.” (Q.58:1)

• Who is the complaining woman? What did her husband do? Who is the ‘you’ she disputing with?

• Some claim that she was Khaulah bint Tha’labah who went to Muhammad and complained that her husband Aus bin As-Samit was refusing to sleep with her or to divorce her.

Q.80:1-12

• He frowned and turned away, because the blind man came to him. But what could tell you that perhaps he might become pure or that he might receive admonition, and that the admonition might profit him? As for the one who thinks himself self-sufficient, you attend to him, although it is no blame to you if he does not become pure. But you are neglectful to the one who came to you running, and is afraid. By no means! For it is indeed a Message of instruction: So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it.

Explanation of Q.80:1-12from al-Muwatta no. 0.630555555555556

• Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that his father said that Abasa (Sura 80) was sent down about Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum. He came to the Prophet… and began to say, "O Muhammad, show me a place near you (where I can sit)," whilst one of the leading men of the idol worshippers was in audience with the Prophet... The Prophet… began to turn away from him and give his attention to the other man, and he said to him, "Father of so-and-so, do you see any harm in what I am saying?" and he said, "No, by the blood (of our sacrifices) I see no harm in what you are saying." And Abasa - "He frowned and turned away when the blind man came" - was sent down.

Implications from the Qur’an

• The Qur’an generally tells incomplete stories of people long-dead before it was written

• It goes not give historical or geographic details which could be affirmed or denied

• Contemporary people are not identified• It reads more like Muhammad’s personal diary

and meditations• The Qur’an is not open to historical

investigation – it is ahistorical

Comparisons• Two prayers: Lord’s prayer & Fatiha

What the Bible says about itself Reference

 God's word is like  

Psalm 119:105  A lamp to my feet 

Jeremiah 20:9; 23:29 (a) Fire  

Ephesians 5:26 Washing with water 

Jeremiah 23:29 (b) A hammer

2 Peter 1:19 Word of the prophetsPs:19:10 Gold Luke 8:11

 Secrets

James 1:23-25 A mirror1 Peter 1:23 Imperishable seed 1 Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 3:1,2

 Pure spiritual milk 

Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 3:1,2 Solid food 

Psalm 119:103; Ezekiel 3:3 Honey 

Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12 Sword of the Spirit

Titles of the Qur’an (1)1. alKitaab the book

(x132)

2. alMubeen the enlightener

(x10)

3. alQur’aan the reading

(x 68)

4. alKareem the good

(x 1)

5. alKalaam the word

(x 2) 6. alBurhaan

the proof (x 1)

7. anNuur the light

(x 4)

8. alHuda the guidance

(x 73)

9. arRahmah the mercy

(x 12)

10. alFurqaan the distinguisher

(x 5) 11. ashShifa the health

(x 2)

12. alMu’izah the sermon

(x 3)

13. adhDhikr the reminder

(x 15)

14. alMubaarak the blessed

(x 1)

15. al’ali the lofty

(x 1) 16. alHikmah the wisdom

(x 1)

17. alHakeem the philosopher

(x 3)

18. alMuhaiman the preserver

(x 1)

19. alMusaddiq establishes truth

(x17)

20. alHabl the rope

(x 1) 21. asSiraat

alMustaqeem straight path

(x 2)

22. alQaiyim the strong

(x 7)

23. alQaul ulFasl distinguishing

speech (x 1)

24. anNaba’u al’azeem the exalted news

(x 2)

25. alHasan ulHadith the good

saying (x 1)

26alMathaani the repetition

(x 2)

27alMutashaabih the uniform

(x 1)

28. atTanzeel the revelation

(x 15)

29. arRuuh the spirit

(x 2)

30. alWahy the inspiration

(x 10)

31. al’arabi the Arabic

(x 9)

32. alBasaa’ir the

enlightenment (x 1)

33. alBayaan the explanation

(x 3)

34. al’Ilm the knowledge

(x 1)

35. alHaqq the truth

(x 3)

36. alHaadi the guide

?

37. al’Ajab the wonderful

(x 1)

38. atTadhkirah the exhortation

(x 1)

39. al’Urwat ulWusqa firm handle (x2)

40. asSidq the righteous

(x 1) 41. al’Adl the justice

(x 1)

42. al’Amr the order

(x 6)

43. alMunaadi the preacher

(x 2)

44. alBushra the glad tidings

(x 4)

45. alMajeed the exalted

(x 2) 46. azZabuur

the psalm (x 3)

47. alBasheer the good tidings

(x 5)

48. anNadheer the warner

(x 5)

49. al-‘Azeez the mighty

(x 1)

50. alBalagh the message

(x 15) 51. alQasas

the narrative (x 1)

52. asSuhuf the pamphlets

(x 2)

53 alMukarramah the excellent

(x 1)

54.alMarfuu’ah the exalted

(x 1)

55.alMutaaharah the purified

(x 1) 56. al-lauh{ al-

mah{fūdh Tablet

preserved in heaven (x 1)

57. kitāb h{afīdh a preserved

book (x1)

58. kitāb maknūn well-guarded

book (x 1)

59. um alkitab mother of the book

(x 3)

60. alyaqeen the certain

(x 2)

Titles of the Qur’an (2)

• Number of verses about the Qur’an: Titles of the Qur’an 550Verbs describing ‘revelation’ 328

• The word ‘aya/at’ 234 (‘verse/s, signs or miracles)

• The word ‘surah’ 9 (chapter of the Qur’an)

• Total references on the Qur’an to itself 1121

• The Qur’an has only 6200 verses

• “The Qur’an is the most meta-textual, most self-referential holy text known in the history of world religions.”Stefan Wild (Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Bonn)

• “meta-textual” – talking about itself• “self-referential” – quoting itself

The Qur’an claims that it is clear• a perspicuous/plain book or Qur’an

kitaab/qur’aan mubeen (Q.5:15, 12:1; 15:1; 26:2, 195; 27:1; 28:2; 36:69; 43:2; 44:2)

• with ‘clear verses’ ayaat mubayyinaat (22:16; 24:34; 66:11)

• Allah made His signs clear so you can understand kadhaalik yubayyin alaah lakum

ayaatihi la’allakum ta’qiloon (Q.2:242) • We (Allah) sent down/made an

Arabic Qur’an so that you may understand

• inna nazalnaahu/ja’alnaahu qur’aanan ‘arabiyyan la’allakum ta’qiluun (Q.12:2; 43:3)

• in a clear Arabic tongue • wa haadha lisaanun arabiyyun mubeenun (Q.16:103;

26:195; 20:113; 39:28; 41:3,44; 42:7)

The Qur’an is not so clear“[Allah] has sent down to you) the Book (this Qur'an). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book and others not entirely clear… but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah.” (Q.3:7)

Waleed Aly : “The Qur’an admits its own ambiguity” People Like Us p.217

29 suras have unknown lists of letters such as alif lam mim eg 2:1; 3:1, with the explanation: “Only Allah knows their meanings.”

Qur’an is not in pure ArabicJalal-ud-din Al-Suyuti, (c. 1445-1505 AD) in his book Iqtan fi ‘Ulum al- qur’an “Perfection in the Quranic Sciences“ - found 275 non Arabic words in the Quran. He listed words from the following languages:

1 Ethiopic Habashi 7 Nabatean Nabatiya2 Persian Farisiya 8 Coptic Coptiya3 Greek Roumiya 9 Turkish Turkiya4 Indian Hindiya 10 Negro Zinjiya5 Syriac Syriyaniya 11 Berber Barbariya6 Hebrew Ibraniya

The commentators al Tabari, al Badhawi & al Razi also listed foreign words.

Arthur Jeffery outlined about 118 foreign - non Arabic - words in the Quran, many of which are among the most important, without which the Quran could not possibly exist. (The Foreign Vocabulary of the Quran; Oriental Institute; Baroda 1938).

The Qur’an claims it is inerrant• no contradictions

ikhtilaaf (Q.4:82)

• no falsehood baatil (Q.41:42)

• no crookedness ‘awjan(18:1; 39:28)

• Its verses are perfected uHkimat ayaatuhu (11:1)

THEME VERSE OR CONCEPT ITS CONTRADICTION

1 No Creator except Allah (35:3; 36:81) Several Creators (23:14; 37:125,126; 56:59

2 Earth was created first (2:29; 41:9-12) The heavens were created first (79:27-30)

3 The creation took six days (7:54; 10:3; 11:7; 25:59; 57:4)

The creation took eight days (Q. 41: v.9 (2 days) + v.10 (4days) + v.12 (2days)

4 Allah's day equal to 1,000 years(22:47;32:5) Allah's day equal to 50,000 human years-70:4

5 Allah made all people one nation (2:213) Allah did not make all people one nation (5:48)

6 Jinn & men created only to worship Allah (51:56)

Many of them are made for Hell (7:179)

7 Adam was made from earth (20:55 أرض) or ‘dust’ (30:20 ;3:59 تُ�راب) or ‘mud’ (طِ�ين 6:2) or ‘an extract of mud’ (23:12 سُ�اللة مِ�ن طِ�ين) or ‘dried clay of altered mud’ ( نُ�ون or ‘sticky (15:26صاصال مِ�ن حما مسْ�clay (37:11) or ‘sounding clay like the clay of pottery’ (خَّ��ار لْ�صال كالفَ� صَ� 55:14)

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CR

EA

TIO

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8 Man is made from water (ماء 25:54), or despised water (77:20) or semen from despised water (32:8) or a clot (96:2) or water gushing between backbone & ribs (86:6,7) or ‘nutfah’ (16:4; 22:5; etc)

1 All prophets are equal-3:84;2:285,136;4:152 Some prophets elevated above others (2:253;17:55)

2 Muhammad was the first to bow down to Allah (i.e. the first Muslim) (6:14,163; 39:12)

Abraham & his sons (2:132), Moses (7:143) all the earlier prophets (28:52-53), and Jesus' disciples (3:52) previously did so

3 Allah stipulates that those who break an oath do so on forfeit of their soul (48:10; 6:91-92)

Allah permits Muhammad to break an oath (66:1-2), and others to break treaties (9:1)

4 The unpardonable sin is the sin of Shirk (associating some-one with Allah) 4:48, 116)

Abraham committed this sin when he believed the moon, sun, stars were his Lord (6:76-78). D

. PR

OPH

ET

S

5 God is the only mediator (6:70; 83:19; 32:4)

God gives permission (10:3) to one ‘whose word is acceptable to Him’ (20:109)

The Qur’an claims that it is comprehensive

• a detailed book alkitaab mufassilan (Q.6:114)

• a detailed explanation of everything

• tafseel kul shayin (Q.12:111)

• an exposition of everything • tibyaanan kulli shayin (Q.16:89)

• has neglected or omitted nothing

ma farratna min shay’ (Q.6:38)

Comprehensive ?

But it lacks the • complete shahada• the five daily prayers• how to wash• Full details of fasting and pilgrimage• Circumcision• etc, etc

The Qur’an claims it is unique• The pagans are

challenged to bring their own Book

(28:49; 37:157), • or to at least produce a

Sura like the Qur’an (2:23; 10:38),

• or ten suras (11:13)• This is a feat beyond all

humans and jinn (17:88; 28:86,87)

Muhammad ibn Zakariyā Rāzī (Rhazes)(865 – 925) – Persian Muslim physician

• “You claim that the evidentiary miracle is present and available, namely, the Koran. You say: "Whoever denies it, let him produce a similar one." Indeed, we shall produce a thousand similar, from the works of rhetoricians, eloquent speakers and valiant poets, which are more appropriately phrased and state the issues more succinctly. They convey the meaning better and their rhymed prose is in better meter. ... By God what you say astonishes us! You are talking about a work which recounts ancient myths, and which at the same time is full of contradictions and does not contain any useful information or explanation. Then you say: "Produce something like it"?!”

Comparisons• The nature of God• Psalm 23• Al Ikhlas (Sura 112)

What criteria?

• Internal evidence: What is says about itself• External evidence: history, archaeology,

prophecy

Archeologist Nelson Glueck

• "It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever contradicted a biblical reference."

Historian A. N. Sherwin-White

• "For [the book of] Acts the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming. … any attempt to reject its basic historicity even in matters of detail must now appear absurd.".

Adolf Hitler

• “It is deplorable that the Bible should have been translated into German, and that the whole of the German Folk should have thus become exposed to the whole of this Jewish mumbo jumbo...”

• 5 June 1942

Desmond Tutu

• "There's nothing more radical, nothing more revolutionary, nothing more subversive against injustice and oppression than the Bible. If you want to keep people subjugated, the last thing you place in their hands is a Bible."

• September 2008.

What is the message of the Bible?

SUBJECT OT Prophecy NT FulfillmentAs the Son of God Ps 2:7 Lu 1:32,35As the seed of the woman Ge 3:15 Ga 4:4As the seed of Abraham Ge 17:7 22:18 Ga 3:16As the seed of Isaac Ge 21:12 Heb 11:17-19As the seed of David Ps 132:11 Jer 23:5 Ac 13:23 Ro 1:3His coming at a set time Ge 49:10 Da 9:24,25 Lu 2:1His being born of a virgin Isa 7:14 Mt 1:22,23 Lu 2:7His being called Immanuel Isa 7:14 Mt 1:22,23His being born in Bethlehem of Judea Mic 5:2 Mt 2:1 Lu 2:4-6Great persons coming to adore him Ps 72:10 Mt 2:1-11The slaying of the children of Bethlehem Jer 31:15 Mt 2:16-18His being called out of Egypt Ho 11:1 Mt 2:15His being preceded by John the Baptist Isa 40:3 Mal 3:1 Mt 3:1,3 Lu 1:17His being anointed with the Spirit Ps 45:7 Isa 11:2 61:1 Mt 3:16 Joh 3:34 Ac 10:38His being a Prophet like to Moses De 18:15-18 Ac 3:20-22

His being a Priest after the order of Melchizedek Ps 110:4 Heb 5:5,6

His entering on his public ministry Isa 61:1,2 Lu 4:16-21,43His ministry commencing in Galilee Isa 9:1,2 Mt 4:12-16,23His entering publicly into Jerusalem Zec 9:9 Mt 21:1-5His coming into the temple Hag 2:7,9 Mal 3:1 Mt 21:12 Lu 2:27-32 Joh 2:13-16His poverty Isa 53:2 Mr 6:3 Lu 9:58His meekness and want of ostentatious Isa 42:2 Mt 12:15,16,19His tenderness and compassion Isa 40:11 42:3 Mt 12:15,20 Heb 4:15His being without guile Isa 53:9 1Pe 2:22His zeal Ps 69:9 Joh 2:17His preaching by parables Ps 78:2 Mt 13:34,35His working miracles Isa 35:5,6 Mt 11:4-6 Joh 11:47His bearing reproach Ps 22:6 69:7,9,20 Ro 15:3His being rejected by his brethren Ps 69:8 Isa 63:3 Joh 1:11 7:3

His being a stone of stumbling to the Jews Isa 8:14 Ro 9:32 1Pe 2:8

His being hated by the Jews Ps 69:4 Isa 49:7 Joh 15:24,25His being rejected by the Jewish rulers Ps 118:22 Mt 21:42 Joh 7:48That the Jews and Gentiles should combine against Him Ps 2:1,2 Lu 23:12 Ac 4:27His being betrayed by a friend Ps 41:9 55:12-14 Joh 13:18,21

His disciples forsaking him Zec 13:7 Mt 26:31,56

His being sold for thirty pieces silver Zec 11:12 Mt 26:15

His price being given for the potter's field Zec 11:13 Mt 27:7

The intensity of his sufferings Ps 22:14,15 Lu 22:42,44

His sufferings being for others Isa 53:4-6,12 Da 9:26 Mt 20:28

His patience and silence under suffering Isa 53:7 Mt 26:63 27:12-14

His being smitten on the cheek Mic 5:1 Mt 27:30

His visage being marred Isa 52:14 53:3 Joh 19:5

His being spit on and scourged Isa 50:6 Mr 14:65 Joh 19:1

His hands and feet being nailed to the cross Ps 22:16 Joh 19:18 20:25

His being forsaken by God Ps 22:1 Mt 27:46

His being mocked Ps 22:7,8 Mt 27:39-44

Gall and vinegar being given him to drink Ps 69:21 Mt 27:34

His garments being parted, and lots cast for his vesture Ps 22:18 Mt 27:35

His being numbered with the transgressors Isa 53:12 Mr 15:28

His intercession for His murderers Isa 53:12 Lu 23:34

His Death Isa 53:12 Mt 27:50

That a bone of him should not be broken Ex 12:46 Ps 34:20 Joh 19:33,36

His being pierced Zec 12:10 Joh 19:34,37

His being buried with the rich Isa 53:9 Mt 27:57-60

His flesh not seeing corruption Ps 16:10 Ac 2:31

His resurrection Ps 16:10 Isa 26:19 Lu 24:6,31,34

His ascension Ps 68:18 Lu 24:51 Ac 1:9

His sitting on the right hand of God Ps 110:1 Heb 1:3

His exercising the priestly office in heaven Zec 6:13 Ro 8:34

His being the chief corner-stone of the Church Isa 28:16 1Pe 2:6,7

His being King in Zion Ps 2:6 Lu 1:32 Joh 18:33-37

The conversion of the Gentiles to him Isa 11:10 42:1 Mt 1:17,21 Joh 10:16 Ac 10:45,47

His righteous government Ps 45:6,7 Joh 5:30 Re 19:11

His universal dominion Ps 72:8 Da 7:14 Php 2:9,11

The perpetuity of his kingdom Isa 9:7 Da 7:14 Lu 1:32,33