The Injeel in the Quran: A Counterfeit Gospel

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

The Christian faith stands on the historical and theological foundation of the Gospel—the Good News that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for the sins of humanity, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). This message, preserved in the New Testament, is not only central to Christianity but also the very essence of salvation, as Paul affirms: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV).

In contrast, the Quran presents an alternative narrative of the Gospel (Injeel) that diverges fundamentally from the biblical record. The Quran denies the crucifixion of Jesus (Surah 4:157), claiming that He was not killed but rather someone else was made to resemble Him. Furthermore, it rejects the Sonship of Christ, insisting instead that He was merely a prophet and servant of Allah. This stands in direct contradiction to the New Testament witness, where Jesus openly affirms His divine Sonship (John 10:30; John 14:6) and where the Father declares, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, KJV).

The denial of the crucifixion and resurrection undermines the very core of the Gospel message. Without the cross and the resurrection, there is no atonement for sin, no victory over death, and no assurance of eternal life. The Apostle Paul warns against “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6–9), affirming that any deviation from the true Gospel is a distortion not inspired by God. Thus, the Quranic portrayal of the Injeel cannot be considered a genuine continuation or revelation from the same God who spoke through the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms, and ultimately through His Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1–2).

Consequently, if the Quran denies the crucifixion, resurrection, and Sonship of Christ, it positions itself outside the divine revelation of God. Allah, as presented in the Quran, cannot be equated with the God of the Bible, and Muhammad, in delivering a message contrary to the Gospel of Christ, cannot be regarded as a true prophet. The authentic Gospel remains the unchanging truth: that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again for our justification.

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