❀ A Candid Response to Criticisms Against the Qur’an
We welcome critical questions about the Qur’an and respond to objections with openness and clarity. Previous discussions have shown that such objections often lack substance. Nevertheless, we aim here to further clarify these topics for those who remain unconvinced, including atheists and Christian missionaries.❖ Hypothetical Concessions: Still, the Qur’an Stands Supreme
Let us hypothetically accept the claims:- That the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ travelled to Syria frequently.
- That he stayed there not just for trade but to acquire religious knowledge.
- That he consistently consulted Waraqah ibn Nawfal for scriptural guidance.
- That he mastered Hebrew, Greek, Syriac, and other languages.
- That he was an avid reader of the Bible.
Even if we accept all these for argument’s sake, the miraculous nature of the Qur’an remains untouched. Such hypotheticals still fail to explain the depth, consistency, and unparalleled eloquence of the Qur’an. Critics gain nothing from these assumptions in undermining Islam.
❖ The Bible's Silence on the Prophet ﷺ
While Christian missionaries uphold the Bible, it withdrew its support for the Prophet ﷺ even before his advent. Jewish and Christian scholars failed to highlight the truths that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ brought—truths that illuminated the path of guidance for all humanity.Where were these "divine scholars" when truth was veiled, and how could the Prophet ﷺ, supposedly a "borrower," surpass them all in spiritual insight and clarity?
❖ Standard of Literary Borrowing
If one book borrows from another, their content should align closely, especially in themes and narrative details, even if wording differs. This is the foundational principle of literary derivation.❖ Applying the Standard: Qur’an vs Bible
Indeed, some similarities exist, but the differences are far more profound:- If the Qur’an were borrowed from the Bible, the Bible would reflect greater accuracy, especially in the disputed narratives.
- Ironically, the Qur’an consistently provides the more coherent and morally sound versions—a clear sign of its divine origin.
❖ A Question for Bible Advocates
If the Qur’an was copied from the Bible, then:- How did the Prophet ﷺ correct the Bible’s historical and theological errors?
- Why does the Qur’an stand out with moral consistency and intellectual clarity where the Bible falters?
The only plausible answer: The Qur’an is from Allah, not copied from human-altered texts.
❖ Case Study: The Golden Calf Incident
In the Bible, the Prophet Hārūn (Aaron عليه السلام) is blamed for encouraging idol worship.But in the Qur’an, he is exonerated, and the true culprit is Samiri.
- Christian critics argue that “Samiri” must refer to someone from Samaria, a city founded after Mūsā’s time.
- However, Qur’anic scholarship clarifies that Samiri refers not to a city-dweller but to a man from the lineage of Shamrūn ibn Yaʿqūb, present during Mūsā’s era.
Thus, the Qur’anic account is both historically and morally superior.
❖ Conclusion
The Qur’an’s accuracy, depth, and moral clarity—even when diverging from the Bible—demonstrate that it is not a product of literary borrowing, but a divinely revealed scripture. Where the Bible falters, the Qur’an corrects. This truth is not lost on fair-minded scholars—even many non-Muslims have acknowledged this.و الله أعلم
(And Allah knows best)
