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.2:711) – 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
THE WORLD
MUSLIMS
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 selfsufficient, 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.80:1-12
from 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
Jeremiah 20:9; 23:29 (a)
Ephesians 5:26
Jeremiah 23:29 (b)
2 Peter 1:19
Ps:19:10
Luke 8:11
James 1:23-25
1 Peter 1:23
1 Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 3:1,2
Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 3:1,2
Psalm 119:103; Ezekiel 3:3
Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
A lamp to my feet
Fire
Washing with water
A hammer
Word of the prophets
Gold
Secrets
A mirror
Imperishable seed
Pure spiritual milk
Solid food
Honey
Sword of the Spirit
Titles of the Qur’an (1)
1. alKitaab
the book
(x132)
6. alBurhaan
the proof
(x 1)
11. ashShifa
the health
(x 2)
16. alHikmah
the wisdom
(x 1)
21. asSiraat
alMustaqeem
straight path
(x 2)
26alMathaani
the repetition
(x 2)
2. alMubeen
the enlightener
(x10)
7. anNuur
the light
(x 4)
12. alMu’izah
the sermon
(x 3)
17. alHakeem
the philosopher
(x 3)
22. alQaiyim
the strong
(x 7)
27alMutashaabih
the uniform
(x 1)
3. alQur’aan
the reading
(x 68)
8. alHuda
the guidance
(x 73)
13. adhDhikr
the reminder
(x 15)
18. alMuhaiman
the preserver
(x 1)
23. alQaul ulFasl
distinguishing
speech
(x 1)
28. atTanzeel
the revelation
(x 15)
4. alKareem
the good
(x 1)
9. arRahmah
the mercy
(x 12)
14. alMubaarak
the blessed
(x 1)
19. alMusaddiq
establishes truth
(x17)
24. anNaba’u
al’azeem the
exalted news
(x 2)
29. arRuuh
the spirit
(x 2)
5. alKalaam
the word
(x 2)
10. alFurqaan
the distinguisher
(x 5)
15. al’ali
the lofty
(x 1)
20. alHabl
the rope
(x 1)
25. alHasan
ulHadith the good
saying
(x 1)
30. alWahy
the inspiration
(x 10)
Titles of the Qur’an (2)
31. al’arabi
the Arabic
(x 9)
36. alHaadi
the guide
?
41. al’Adl
the justice
(x 1)
46. azZabuur
the psalm
(x 3)
51. alQasas
the narrative
(x 1)
56. al-lauh{almah{fūdh
Tablet
preserved in
heaven (x 1)
32. alBasaa’ir
33. alBayaan
the
the explanation
enlightenment
(x 3)
(x 1)
37. al’Ajab
38. atTadhkirah
the wonderful
the exhortation
(x 1)
(x 1)
42. al’Amr
43. alMunaadi
the order
the preacher
(x 6)
(x 2)
47. alBasheer
48. anNadheer
the good tidings
the warner
(x 5)
(x 5)
52. asSuhuf
53 alMukarramah
the pamphlets
the excellent
(x 2)
(x 1)
57. kitāb h{afīdh
a preserved
book
(x1)
58. kitāb maknūn
well-guarded
book
(x 1)
34. al’Ilm
the knowledge
(x 1)
35. alHaqq
the truth
(x 3)
39. al’Urwat
ulWusqa firm
handle (x2)
44. alBushra
the glad tidings
(x 4)
49. al-‘Azeez
the mighty
(x 1)
54.alMarfuu’ah
the exalted
(x 1)
40. asSidq
the righteous
(x 1)
45. alMajeed
the exalted
(x 2)
50. alBalagh
the message
(x 15)
55.alMutaaharah
the purified
(x 1)
59. um alkitab
mother of the book
(x 3)
60. alyaqeen
the certain
(x 2)
• Number of verses about the Qur’an:
Titles of the Qur’an
550
Verbs 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)
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.”
Waleed Aly : “The Qur’an admits
its own ambiguity” People Like Us p.217
Qur’an is not in pure Arabic
Jalal-ud-din Al-Suyuti, (c. 1445-1505 AD) in his book Iqtan fi ‘Ulum alqur’an “Perfection in the Quranic Sciences“ - found 275 non Arabic
words in the Quran. He listed words from the following languages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ethiopic
Persian
Greek
Indian
Syriac
Hebrew
Habashi
Farisiya
Roumiya
Hindiya
Syriyaniya
Ibraniya
7
8
9
10
11
Nabatean
Nabatiya
Coptic
Coptiya
Turkish
Turkiya
Negro
Zinjiya
Berber
Barbariya
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
1
2
C. CREATION
3
4
5
6
7
VERSE OR CONCEPT
No Creator except Allah (35:3;
36:81)
Earth was created first (2:29; 41:912)
The creation took six days
(7:54; 10:3; 11:7; 25:59; 57:4)
Allah's day equal to 1,000
years(22:47;32:5)
Allah made all people one nation
(2:213)
ITS CONTRADICTION
Several Creators (23:14; 37:125,126; 56:59
The heavens were created first (79:27-30)
The creation took eight days (Q. 41:
v.9 (2 days) + v.10 (4days) + v.12 (2days)
Allah's day equal to 50,000 human years-70:4
Allah did not make all people one nation (5:48)
Jinn & men created only to worship Allah
Many of them are made for Hell (7:179)
(51:56)
Adam was made from earth (‫ أرض‬20:55) or ‘dust’ (‫تُراب‬3:59; 30:20) or ‘mud’ (‫ ِطني‬6:2) or ‘an
ِ
extract of mud’ (‫سُلالة مِنطِين‬23:12) or ‘dried clay of altered mud’ ( ‫مسنُون‬
ْ ‫صاصال من محا‬15:26) or ‘sticky
clay (37:11) or ‘sounding clay like the clay of pottery’ (‫صلْصال كال َفخَّار‬
َ 55:14)
8
D. PROPHETS
1
2
3
4
5
Man is made from water (‫ ماء‬25:54), 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)
All prophets are equalSome prophets elevated above others (2:253;17:55)
3:84;2:285,136;4:152
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
Allah stipulates that those who break an
oath do so on forfeit of their soul
(48:10; 6:91-92)
The unpardonable sin is the sin of Shirk
(associating some-one with Allah) 4:48,
116)
Allah permits Muhammad to break an oath
(66:1-2), and others to break treaties (9:1)
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)
Abraham committed this sin when he believed the
moon, sun, stars were his Lord (6:76-78).
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
As the Son of God
As the seed of the woman
As the seed of Abraham
As the seed of Isaac
As the seed of David
His coming at a set time
His being born of a virgin
His being called Immanuel
His being born in Bethlehem of Judea
Great persons coming to adore him
The slaying of the children of Bethlehem
His being called out of Egypt
His being preceded by John the Baptist
His being anointed with the Spirit
His being a Prophet like to Moses
His being a Priest after the order of Melchizedek
His entering on his public ministry
His ministry commencing in Galilee
His entering publicly into Jerusalem
His coming into the temple
His poverty
His meekness and want of ostentatious
His tenderness and compassion
His being without guile
His zeal
His preaching by parables
His working miracles
His bearing reproach
His being rejected by his brethren
His being a stone of stumbling to the Jews
His being hated by the Jews
His being rejected by the Jewish rulers
That the Jews and Gentiles should combine against Him
His being betrayed by a friend
OT Prophecy
Ps 2:7
Ge 3:15
Ge 17:7 22:18
Ge 21:12
Ps 132:11 Jer 23:5
Ge 49:10 Da 9:24,25
Isa 7:14
Isa 7:14
Mic 5:2
Ps 72:10
Jer 31:15
Ho 11:1
Isa 40:3 Mal 3:1
Ps 45:7 Isa 11:2 61:1
De 18:15-18
NT Fulfillment
Lu 1:32,35
Ga 4:4
Ga 3:16
Heb 11:17-19
Ac 13:23 Ro 1:3
Lu 2:1
Mt 1:22,23 Lu 2:7
Mt 1:22,23
Mt 2:1 Lu 2:4-6
Mt 2:1-11
Mt 2:16-18
Mt 2:15
Mt 3:1,3 Lu 1:17
Mt 3:16 Joh 3:34 Ac 10:38
Ac 3:20-22
Ps 110:4
Heb 5:5,6
Isa 61:1,2
Isa 9:1,2
Zec 9:9
Hag 2:7,9 Mal 3:1
Isa 53:2
Isa 42:2
Isa 40:11 42:3
Isa 53:9
Ps 69:9
Ps 78:2
Isa 35:5,6
Ps 22:6 69:7,9,20
Ps 69:8 Isa 63:3
Lu 4:16-21,43
Mt 4:12-16,23
Mt 21:1-5
Mt 21:12 Lu 2:27-32 Joh 2:13-16
Mr 6:3 Lu 9:58
Mt 12:15,16,19
Mt 12:15,20 Heb 4:15
1Pe 2:22
Joh 2:17
Mt 13:34,35
Mt 11:4-6 Joh 11:47
Ro 15:3
Joh 1:11 7:3
Isa 8:14
Ro 9:32 1Pe 2:8
Ps 69:4 Isa 49:7
Ps 118:22
Ps 2:1,2
Ps 41:9 55:12-14
Joh 15:24,25
Mt 21:42 Joh 7:48
Lu 23:12 Ac 4:27
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
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
Ex 12:46 Ps 34:20
Joh 19:33,36
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
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
Ps 2:6
Lu 1:32 Joh 18:33-37
Isa 11:10 42:1
Mt 1:17,21 Joh 10:16 Ac 10:45,47
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
His visage being marred
That a bone of him should not be broken
His being pierced
His resurrection
His being King in Zion
The conversion of the Gentiles to him
His righteous government