A WARNING FROM ALLAH: MUSLIMS WHO CLAIM THE BIBLE IS CORRUPTED WILL ENTER HELL
Where are the uncorrupted Bibles now to give evidence of the corruption of the Bibles we have today? Why would Christians corrupt their own Scriptures?
Dr. Maxwell Shimba | Shimba Theological Institute
INTRODUCTION: THE DIVINE WARNING
Allah issues a solemn warning to humanity. He warns Muslims specifically to cease spreading falsehoods about His divine Books. One such falsehood is the claim by some Muslims that certain divine Scriptures have been altered or corrupted. If you are a Muslim, it is imperative that you seriously contemplate Allah's stern warning to all those who propagate malicious lies about the integrity of the Bible:
Surah 40:70-72: "Those who gave the lie to this Book and all the Books which We had sent with Our Messengers shall soon come to know the Truth when fetters and chains shall be on their necks, and they shall be dragged into boiling water, and cast into the Fire." (Maududi)
This warning carries profound implications. Those who reject or slander the previous divine revelations—the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel—are threatened with severe punishment. The Qur'an consistently affirms the authenticity and authority of these earlier Scriptures. To claim otherwise is to contradict the very text Muslims hold sacred.
QUESTIONS FOR MUSLIMS
If Muslims are sincere in their claim that the Bible has been corrupted and therefore is no longer the authentic Word of God, they must be able to provide satisfactory answers to the following questions:
1. Historical Inquiry
When, and up to what period of time in history, was the true uncorrupted Bible in circulation?
Muslims must specify the historical timeframe during which the allegedly pure and uncorrupted Bible existed. When exactly did the corruption occur? Was it before Muhammad's time? During his lifetime? After his death? Without a clear historical timeline, the claim of corruption remains vague and unsubstantiated.
2. Evidentiary Question
Where are the uncorrupted Bibles now to give evidence of the corruption of the Bibles we have today?
If the Bible was corrupted, there must exist some original, uncorrupted copies against which the corrupted versions could be compared. Where are these originals? Why has no Muslim scholar ever produced a single manuscript of this alleged original Bible?
3. Logical Proof
Is it not true that to prove the dollar somebody holds is forged, you have to have the authentic dollar to compare it with the forged dollar?
This is a fundamental principle of evidence. To prove forgery, one must possess the genuine article. The same logical principle applies to the Bible. Without an authentic, uncorrupted manuscript for comparison, the claim of corruption cannot be substantiated.
4. Possession of Evidence
Do Muslims have the "authentic Bible" to compare it with the Bible that we have today?
If Muslims possess no authentic Bible for comparison, on what basis do they make their claim? The absence of the original renders the accusation of corruption logically untenable.
5. Substantiation Failure
Since the entire Muslim world is unable to produce a single copy of the alleged "original Bible," does it not then prove that the claim that the Bible is corrupted is totally unsubstantiated?
More than fourteen centuries have passed since Islam emerged. In all that time, not a single Muslim scholar has produced any manuscript evidence of a pre-corruption Bible. This absence of evidence constitutes compelling evidence against the claim.
6. Conspiracy Question
If Christians and Jews have two different religions, what is the purpose of their conspiracy to corrupt their own Scriptures?
This question exposes the logical inconsistency in the Muslim position. Jews and Christians possess distinct theological traditions. Why would they collaborate to corrupt texts they hold sacred? What possible common motive could unite them in such a conspiracy against their own faith?
7. Self-Destructive Act
Why would Christians corrupt their own Scriptures?
This question strikes at the heart of the claim. Why would believers corrupt the very document they believe to contain God's revelation? To corrupt one's Scripture is to undermine one's own faith foundation. Such behavior is psychologically and theologically inexplicable.
8. Underlying Motive
What is the motive of the Jews and Christians for corrupting their own Scriptures?
If Muslims claim this corruption occurred, they must identify the motive. What would drive Jews and Christians to corrupt their sacred texts—texts they believed came from God? No rational motive has ever been proposed.
9. Divine Protection Question
Where was Allah during the time when all these changes supposedly took place?
If Allah had revealed the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel as divine revelations, would He not protect them from corruption? Would He remain passive while His words were being altered? The Qur'an itself affirms that Allah protects His messages.
10. Qur'anic Promise
What happened to Allah's solemn promise in the Qur'an that "none can change his Word"?
Surah 6:115: "The word of your Lord has been completed in truth and justice; none can change His words."
Surah 10:64: "No change can there be in the words of Allah."
If Allah's words cannot be changed, and the Bible represents Allah's words, then the Bible cannot have been corrupted. To claim otherwise is to question Allah's power and promise.
11. Selective Acceptance
Even though Muslims claim the Bible to be corrupted, why do they still accept as true that it foretold the coming of Muhammad?
Muslims regularly cite biblical prophecies as evidence for Muhammad's prophethood. If the Bible is corrupted, how can any prophecy within it be trusted? This selective approach to biblical authority is logically inconsistent.
12. Paradoxical Validation
Why do Muslims still use this very same "corrupted Bible" to validate Muhammad's prophethood?
If the Bible is unreliable and corrupt, why do Muslims reference it to prove the truth of Islam? This demonstrates that, at some level, Muslims recognize the Bible's reliability—except when it contradicts their theological claims.
13. Consistency Question
Is it logical for someone claiming the food to be poisoned, to still find parts of it suitable for consumption?
This analogy illustrates the logical inconsistency in the Muslim position. If the Bible is corrupted and unreliable, why do Muslims accept certain portions as trustworthy while rejecting others? This selective acceptance undermines the claim of universal corruption.
THE ANCIENT MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE
The ancient copies of the entire Bible, known as the Codices, date back centuries before the arrival of Islam in the early Seventh Century C.E. These manuscripts provide irrefutable evidence of the Bible's textual integrity.
The Most Well-Known Codices:
1. The Septuagint (Second Century B.C.E.)
This is the earliest translation of the complete Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. This translation is kept in the British Museum and provides evidence that the Old Testament text has been faithfully transmitted for over two millennia.
2. The Codex Vaticanus (Fourth Century C.E.)
This codex is kept at the Vatican Library in Rome and represents one of the oldest and most reliable manuscript witnesses to the Greek Bible. It contains virtually the entire Old and New Testaments.
3. The Codex Sinaiticus (Fourth Century C.E.)
This codex is kept in the British Museum and contains the complete Bible in Greek. It has been crucial in demonstrating the textual stability of the Bible over the centuries.
4. The Codex Alexandrinus (Fifth Century C.E.)
This codex is also kept in the British Museum and provides additional confirmation of the biblical text's preservation.
Significance of the Codices
All these ancient Codices existed long before the arrival of the Qur'an. They testify to the authenticity of the Bible we possess today. The existence of manuscripts such as the Septuagint, the Codex Vaticanus, the Codex Sinaiticus, and the Codex Alexandrinus conclusively demonstrates that the Bible in our possession has remained essentially unchanged from the time it was revealed.
These manuscripts serve as the authoritative documentary evidence against which all modern translations can be checked, ensuring that present-day Christians are guided accurately by the inspired message of Jehovah their God.
Muslim Failure to Provide Evidence
Muslims provide no dates when the supposed changing took place. They offer no names of the places where the supposed changing was initiated. They identify no individuals responsible for the changes. And most significantly, they possess no copies of the supposedly original Bible. Yet they audaciously assume it happened.
To believe that the Bible is corrupted is to embrace a great deception that will hinder Muslims from reading and discovering the wonderful truth of God within its pages. Nowhere in the Qur'an is the Bible described as being textually corrupted. If there were any evidence of actual textual corruption (tahrif), Muslims would have eagerly produced it immediately.
THE ISLAMIC DEFINITION OF TAHRIF
In "The Book of Monotheism," which is part of his Sahih, Imam Al-Bukhari explains the meaning of "tahrif" as follows:
"Tahrif means alteration. However, no one can alter any written character in a book of God. Tahrif was done to the text in the sense of twisting its meaning (misinterpreting it)."
This authoritative Islamic source acknowledges a crucial distinction. Tahrif (corruption) does not refer to textual alteration of the biblical manuscripts. Rather, it refers to the misinterpretation and misapplication of the text. Since "no one can alter any written character in a book of God," Muslims must resort to deception when they accuse the Bible of textual corruption.
The Devastating Consequence for Islam
Muslims who maintain that the Bible was changed after the time of Muhammad fail to acknowledge that this charge contradicts the claim of the Qur'an to be the guardian of the earlier Scriptures. To believe in the corruption of the Torah, the Gospel, and the other Scriptures of the Bible is to charge the Qur'an with failure in its role to act as the guardian of the Bible.
Surah 5:48: "We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming the Book that came before it, and as a guardian over it."
The Qur'an claims to stand as a guardian over the previous Scriptures. If those Scriptures have been corrupted, the Qur'an has failed in its guardian role. Additionally, Allah Himself promised to protect all His inspired Messages:
Surah 15:9: "We have sent down the Reminder, and We will preserve it."
Therefore, if any claim is made that the Bible is changed, it must be concluded that the Qur'an and Allah are not to be trusted. This is a devastating logical consequence that sincere Muslims must confront.
THE QUR'AN'S TESTIMONY TO THE BIBLE'S INTEGRITY
An honest reading of the Qur'an proves that from the very beginning of Islam, Muhammad accepted the Bible as the unchanged Word of God.
Qur'anic Verses Affirming the Bible's Authority
Surah 5:47: "Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient."
Surah 5:68: "Say, 'O People of the Scripture, you are not standing on anything until you observe the Torah and the Gospel and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.'"
Surah 3:3-4: "He has sent down the Book to you in truth, confirming what was before it. And He sent down the Torah and the Gospel before this, as a guidance for mankind."
Surah 7:157: "Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel."
Surah 2:136: "We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what has been given to Moses and Jesus and what has been given to the prophets from their Lord."
Surah 10:94: "If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, ask those who have been reading the Book before you."
Surah 29:46: "We believe in what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to you. Our God and your God is one."
Implications of the Qur'anic Testimony
These verses demonstrate that the Qur'an consistently upholds the authority, reliability, and integrity of the Bible. The Qur'an instructs Muslims to:
Judge by what is in the Torah and Gospel (Surah 5:47)
Stand on the Torah and Gospel (Surah 5:68)
Confirm the previous Scriptures (Surah 3:3-4)
Find Muhammad mentioned in the Torah and Gospel (Surah 7:157)
Believe in the previous revelations (Surah 2:136)
Consult the People of the Book when in doubt (Surah 10:94)
Since the Qur'an persistently and consistently upholds the integrity of the Bible, it would contradict itself if there were even slight hints of textual corruption of the Bible within its pages. The accusation of biblical corruption is a later innovation, not a teaching of the Qur'an.
THEOLOGICAL AND LOGICAL ARGUMENTS
The Consistency Argument
Logically, if the Bible was ever the Word of God, then God would never allow it to become corrupted at a later time. Since the Qur'an acknowledges that the Torah, the Gospel, and the rest of the Scriptures of the Bible that were given to the Jews and Christians are the Words of Allah, this rules out the possibility of any changes occurring in the Bible at a later period of time.
Therefore, for any changes to occur in the Bibles would mean that the Qur'an is not the Word of God. Since Muslims know this, why do they then insist persistently that the Bible has been changed?
The Dilemma for Muslims
Muslims who claim the Bible has been corrupted face a devastating dilemma. They stand to lose if the Bible is corrupted, and they stand to lose if it is not. Either option spells disaster for Islam and the Qur'an.
If the Bible is corrupted:
The Qur'an is proven wrong for affirming the Bible's integrity
Allah is proven powerless to protect His Word
The Qur'an has failed in its role as guardian
The promise that "none can change His words" is proven false
If the Bible is not corrupted:
The Qur'an's affirmation of the Bible is validated
But the Bible's testimony to Christ's deity, death, and resurrection stands
The Bible's message contradicts Islamic theology
Islam is proven to be a false religion
Either way, the Islamic position is logically unsustainable.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CORRUPTION CLAIM
Muhammad's Acceptance of the Bible
Muhammad died in 632 C.E. Accusations that the Bible had become corrupted did not arise during the first four centuries following Muhammad's death. Islamic sources reveal that it was not until 1064 C.E.—more than 430 years after Muhammad's death—that the first allegation of Bible corruption was made.
Ibn-Khazem (994-1064 C.E.)
It was only with Ibn-Khazem that the charge of falsification was first made during the 11th century C.E. This charge was concocted by Ibn-Khazem in a desperate effort to defend Islam's integrity against Christianity when he came upon many serious contradictions between the Qur'an and the Bible. To reconcile the differences in favor of the Qur'an, he deviously accused the Bible of corruption.
Thus, the belief that the Bible is corrupted did not originate with the teachings of Allah, Muhammad, or the Qur'an. It emerged centuries later as a polemical device to defend Islam from the overwhelming evidence of the Bible's superiority.
THE TESTIMONY OF EARLY MUSLIM THEOLOGIANS
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (1149-1209 C.E.)
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi is a well-known and respected Persian Sunni Muslim theologian and philosopher. He made this statement on the authority of Ibn Abbas, a paternal cousin of Prophet Muhammad:
"The Jew and early Christians were suspected of altering the text of the Tawrat and Injil; but in the opinion of eminent doctors and theologians, it was not practicable thus to corrupt the text, because those Scriptures were generally known and widely circulated, having been handed down from generation to generation. No interpolation could therefore be made in them, although it is admitted that some people used to conceal their true sense and interpretation." (Sayyid Ahmad, THE MOHAMMEDAN COMMENTARY on the HOLY BIBLE, 7th discourse, p.81)
Implications of al-Razi's Statement
This commentary by a prominent Sunni Muslim theologian clearly shows that it is impossible to alter the Scriptures of the Jews and Christians. The solid reason is "because those Scriptures were generally known and widely circulated."
Not practicable means:
Not feasible
Not realistic
Not possible
Not workable
Not practical
Not viable
Not achievable
Not doable
In short, it means it is utterly impossible to corrupt the Bible.
Additionally, they also stated that "no interpolation could therefore be made in them." In other words, no intrusions can be made in them. Therefore, no alterations of the texts could be made in the Bible by the deliberate insertion of foreign or unauthorized materials.
The Problem of Suspicion
It is interesting to note that the Jews and Christians were only looked upon with suspicion of having altered their Scriptures. The fact that the Jews and Christians were only suspected reveals that Islam does not have a single shred of evidence to validate the claim that the Jews and the Christians actually corrupted their Scriptures. This substantiates the truth that Muslims do not have a single piece of tangible evidence—such as the actual textual corruption of the Scriptures—to charge the Jews and Christians of corrupting their Scriptures.
The Admission of Impossibility
Even the grounds for suspicion were shown to be unfounded because in the admission of these eminent doctors and theologians of Islam "it was not practicable to corrupt the text." Why is it not practicable? The reason is irrefutably clear: "because those Scriptures were generally known and widely circulated, having been handed down from generation to generation. No interpolation could therefore be made in them."
Thus, Islam's own conclusion proves that "it was not practicable to corrupt the text."
The Significance of This Admission
What is more important is the fact that this confirms the undeniable truth that there are no teachings of the corruption of the Holy Bible in the Qur'an. Should teachings of the corruption of the Bible exist in the Qur'an, it would have strongly influenced the opinion of these eminent doctors and theologians of Islam. They would not have said that "it was not practicable to corrupt the text" and "no interpolation could be made in them." They would not dare to contradict the Qur'an.
Therefore, Muslims who boldly claim that the Jews and Christians corrupted the Bible are treading on thin ice when they say this. They are contradicting both the Qur'an and the testimony of their own most respected scholars.
DIVINE WARNINGS IN THE HOLY BIBLE
God severely warns anyone who tries to change His inspired Word—the Holy Bible. As the Author, God holds the eternal copyright. Jehovah strictly forbids the addition or removal of anything from His inspired Word.
Deuteronomy 4:2
"You shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall you take anything away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you."
Revelation 22:18-19
The Bible ends with this warning in the last chapter of the final book:
"I am bearing witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book."
The Finality of the Bible
The Bible is the final revelation of God to man. The Bible itself testifies to this truth. In fact, it is the only true revelation of God. The Book of Revelation has sealed all messages and revelations. No man is to add any further messages or revelations to the Bible. And no man should subtract from it.
Jude 3
"I found it necessary to write you to urge you to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones."
The Bible is the complete and final Book of God. Genesis is the Book of the Beginning in the Bible and Revelation is the Book of the End. The connection between Genesis and Revelation is truly remarkable.
Parallels Between Genesis and Revelation:
| Genesis | Revelation |
|---|---|
| Satan's first appearance | Satan's final destruction |
| Paradise lost | Paradise restored |
| Sin entered the world | Sin is removed |
| Death came to the human race | Death is removed |
| Curse pronounced | Curse removed |
| Access to tree of life lost | Access to tree of life restored |
| Marriage established | Marriage of the Lamb |
These things cannot be said of any other book outside the Bible. The Qur'an does not fit into this equation. The Bible is the standard by which we judge the truthfulness of everything else.
The Qur'an Fails the Test
The Qur'an, which came centuries later, blasphemously attempts to add to the revelations of the Bible. Thus, the Qur'an fails the test of the Scripture in Revelation 22:18-19. Therefore, it cannot be a final revelation of God. It is not supposed to be.
Since the Bible is God's complete and final revelation to men, it repeatedly warns against those who claim to have received other revelations from God.
Galatians 1:8-9
"But, even if we, or an angel from heaven, were to declare any other gospel to you than what we have declared to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone declares any other gospel to you than what you received, let him be accursed."
Those who claim to bring new revelations in addition to the Bible not only contradict and deny the Bible but are condemned by it.
THE PRESERVATION OF THE BIBLE
Psalm 119:89
"Forever, O Jehovah, Your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."
The Bible is God's gift to mankind. It reveals the mind of God. There is no greater wealth than the Word of God. As such, it will be preserved at all times. And God has promised to do just that.
Psalm 12:6-7
"The sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings, As silver refined in a smelting furnace of earth, clarified seven times. You yourself, O Jehovah, will guard them. You will preserve each one from this generation to time indefinite."
THE QUR'AN'S OWN ADMISSION OF CORRUPTION
Surah 15:90-93
"Like as We sent down on the dividers, Those who made the Qur'an into shreds. So, by your Lord, We would most certainly question them all, As to what they did." (Shakir)
"Just as We sent down to the separatists. Those who made the Qur'an obsolete. By your Lord, we will question them all. About what they used to do." (Talal A. Itani)
"Even as We sent down on the dividers, who reduced the Qur'an into pieces, by your Lord, We will question them all concerning what they used to do." (Ali Quli Qara'i)
Yes! The Qur'an admits it has been tampered with. And in addition to this admission in the Qur'an, authentic Islamic sources also confirm that the Qur'an has been corrupted.
Testimony of Abdullah bin Umar
Abdullah bin Umar, the son of Caliph Umar, stated:
"Let no one of you say that he has acquired the entire Qur'an for how does he know that it is all? Much of the Qur'an has been lost, thus let him say, 'I have acquired of it what is available.'" (Suyuti: Itqan, part 3, page 72)
Testimony of Ubay ibn Ka'b
This fact is also confirmed by Ubay ibn Ka'b, who was a very close Companion of Muhammad:
"This famous companion asked one of the Muslims, 'How many verses in the chapter of the Parties?' He said, 'Seventy-two or seventy-three verses.' He (Ubay) told him, 'It used to be almost equal to the chapter of the Cow (about 286 verses) and included the verse of the stoning.' The man asked, 'What is the verse of the stoning?' He said, 'If an old man or woman committed adultery, stone them to death."' (Suyuti: Itqan, part 3, page 72)
Surah 5:101
"O ye who believe! Ask not of things which, if they were made known unto you, would trouble you." (Pickthall)
A FINAL THOUGHT FOR MUSLIMS TO CONTEMPLATE
There is an old English proverb which says, "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones." It means that we should be careful how we treat others because they could easily do likewise to us.
Muslims should not forget their own vulnerability and "throw stones" at Christians by criticizing their sacred Scriptures. Rather, they should look into their own backyard first. It will be sensible for Muslims to seriously consider what the Qur'an itself reveals about the Qur'an.
The Call to Sincerity
Sincere Muslims should be glad with the evidences provided here because they prove the Qur'an to be right when it says that "none can change the Word of God." And this means, the Bible that we have today is the authentic, unchanged Word of God.
Muslims do not have any valid grounds to reject the Bible since the claim that it was corrupted cannot be supported by the teachings of the Qur'an. Therefore, in harmony with the teachings of the Qur'an, Muslims should accept the Bible as the authentic Word of God. And it truly is.
THE TRUE AUTHOR OF THE HOLY BIBLE
We know for a certainty that Allah is neither the author nor the inspiration behind the Holy Bible. However, for the duration of this article, we have gone along with the Qur'an's claim that Allah revealed the Bible to mankind. It was a necessary approach that had to be employed to prove to Muslims that their own sacred book confirms the integrity of the Holy Bible.
However, before we conclude, it is absolutely necessary to clearly identify the true Author of the Holy Bible.
Psalm 83:18
"May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth."
Psalm 72:19
"Blessed be his glorious name to time indefinite. And let his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen."
CONCLUSION
Summary of Arguments
The Qur'an testifies to the Bible's integrity. Throughout its pages, the Qur'an affirms the Torah and Gospel as divine revelations that Muslims should respect and consult.
The claim of corruption is historically late. It did not emerge until the 11th century C.E., more than 400 years after Muhammad's death, and was developed as a polemical defense against Christianity.
No manuscript evidence exists. Muslims have never produced a single manuscript of the alleged uncorrupted Bible. The earliest manuscripts confirm the reliability of the text we possess today.
Early Islamic scholars rejected textual corruption. Respected theologians like Fakhr al-Din al-Razi affirmed that the biblical text could not be corrupted because it was widely circulated and known.
The accusation is logically inconsistent. It contradicts the Qur'an's promise that "none can change His words" and challenges Allah's power to protect His revelation.
The Qur'an itself admits to corruption. The Qur'an acknowledges that it has been tampered with, and authentic Islamic sources confirm that portions of the Qur'an have been lost.
The Path Forward
Muslims who truly seek the truth are urged to reconsider their position. The Bible stands as a reliable, authentic, and divinely preserved revelation. Its manuscript evidence is unparalleled in ancient literature. Its message of salvation through Jesus Christ has transformed countless lives across the centuries.
The claims of biblical corruption serve only to keep Muslims from discovering the wonderful truth within the pages of Scripture. The Bible invites all people to know God personally through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Final Appeal
To our Muslim readers, we extend this sincere appeal:
Examine the evidence honestly. The manuscript evidence for the Bible's reliability is overwhelming.
Read the Qur'an carefully. It consistently affirms the Bible's integrity and authority.
Consider the historical record. The charge of biblical corruption is a late innovation, not a teaching of the Qur'an or Muhammad.
Seek the truth. God promises that those who seek Him with a sincere heart will find Him.
Read the Bible for yourself. Discover the message of God's love, salvation, and eternal life.
The Bible declares:
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
May you find the truth that sets you free.
ENDNOTES
[1] See introductory commentary to Surah 2 (Surah Al-Baqarah) by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall in his translation of the Qur'an. (The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an)
[2] Al-Baidhawi explains that "watch over it" means, "The Qur'an is the protector of all the sacred books to preserve them from any kind of change." [Qazi Nasiruddin Abusaeed Abudullah bin Umar al-Baidhawi (1300 A.D.) wrote a well known commentary on the Qur'an, originally called "Anwar-al-tunzeel" but now known as "Tafsir-e-Baidhawi"]
[3] See introductory commentary to Surah 6 (Surah Al-Anam) by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall in his translation of the Qur'an. (The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an)
[4] See introductory commentary to Surah 5 (Surah Al-Maidah) by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall in his translation of the Qur'an. (The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an)
[5] Jesus sub-divided the Old Testament into three basic categories: Luke 24:44: "He (Jesus) now said to them: 'These are my words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all the things written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms about me must be fulfilled.'"
[6] The Qur'an testifies that Muhammad underwent an episode of inner spiritual crisis giving rise to doubts. This was especially true when he lost hope of performing miracles. Thus, Allah found it necessary to reprimand him in:
Surah 11:12: "Perhaps you are leaving part of what has been sent down to you, and your chest is straitened by it, because they say: 'Why has no treasure been sent down to him, or an angel come with him?' You are only a warner and Allah is a Guardian over everything." (Qaribullah)
Surah 6:35: "And if their aversion is grievous unto thee, then, if thou canst, seek a way down into the earth or a ladder unto the sky that thou mayst bring unto them a portent (to convince them all)!—If Allah willed, He could have brought them all together to the guidance—So be not thou among the foolish ones." (Pickthall)
Surah 46:9: "Say: 'I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that which is inspired in me, and I am but a plain warner.'" (Pickthall)
Surah 6:50: "Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): 'I say not unto you (that) I possess the treasures of Allah, nor that I have knowledge of the Unseen; and I say not unto you: Lo! I am an angel. I follow only that which is inspired in me.'" (Pickthall)
Surah 7:188: "Say: 'For myself I have no power to benefit, nor power to hurt, save that which Allah willeth. Had I knowledge of the Unseen, I should have abundance of wealth, and adversity would not touch me. I am but a warner, and a bearer of good tidings unto folk who believe.'" (Pickthall)
Dr. Maxwell Shimba serves as a faculty member at Shimba Theological Institute, dedicated to biblical scholarship and interfaith understanding. This article is offered in a spirit of love and truth-seeking, with the sincere hope that all may come to know the God of the Bible through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
