Why this Question Matters?
Many Muslims, from childhood, are taught one firm idea: the Bible has been corrupted.
The word used in Arabic is “tahrif” (تحريف) — usually translated as “alteration” or “distortion.” In popular belief, this means that the Torah, the Psalms, and the Injil (the Gospel) — the Books God originally revealed — no longer exist in their true form. Muslims are taught that Jews and Christians altered their Scriptures, changed the words, and replaced the truth with lies. As a result, Islam teaches that the Qur’an had to come as a final correction, because the Bible could no longer be trusted.
For many Muslims, this belief is not questioned. It’s accepted as a fact.
But is it true?
This question matters deeply for several reasons:
- Islam affirms that God revealed the Torah (Tawrat), Psalms (Zabur), and Gospel (Injil). Qur’an 3:3 says, “He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.”
- If God sent these Books, and they were His guidance, how could they be lost? If Allah could protect the Qur’an (Surah 15:9), could He not protect His earlier Books?
- If the Bible is not corrupted, then the message of Jesus found in the New Testament is trustworthy — and that message is very different from what Islam teaches.
This article is not written to attack Muslims. It is written to seriously examine this question: Is the Bible corrupted? Not from assumptions, but from evidence — from the Qur’an itself, from manuscript history, and from basic logic.
We will approach this carefully, not rushing. Terms will be explained, and facts will be checked.
At the heart of this question lies another: Can you trust the words of Jesus Christ?
What Muslims Are Taught About Bible Corruption
If you ask almost any Muslim why they reject the Bible, the answer is simple: “Because it is corrupted.” This belief is not a small side teaching; it’s considered foundational. But what does “corruption” mean in this context?
Understanding Tahrif (تحريف)
The Arabic term tahrif (تحريف) literally means distortion or alteration. In Islamic teaching, tahrif is understood in two main ways:
- Tahrif al-lafz (تحريف اللفظ) – Corruption of the text itself. This means that Jews and Christians are believed to have changed the actual words of Scripture, adding, deleting, or altering them.
- Tahrif al-ma‘na (تحريف المعنى) – Corruption of the meaning. This view suggests that even if the original text remained, people misinterpreted or twisted its meaning.
Most Muslims today believe in tahrif al-lafz, the idea that the text of the Bible itself has been altered.
What Muslims Are Commonly Told:
- The Torah (Tawrat), Psalms (Zabur), and Gospel (Injil) were originally true revelations from God.
- Jews and Christians altered or lost the original scriptures over time.
- The Bible we have today is not the original Injil that was given to Jesus.
- Therefore, the Bible cannot be trusted.
This belief is taught in mosques, Islamic schools, and by scholars. It is widely assumed, rarely questioned, and deeply rooted.
But Is This What the Qur’an Actually Says?
Surprisingly, the Qur’an never clearly says that the actual texts of the Torah or Gospel were corrupted.
What the Qur’an accuses the Jews and Christians of doing is:
- Hiding certain parts of Scripture (Surah 2:42 – “And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].”)
- Twisting words from their places (Surah 4:46 – “Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages…”)
- Forgetting parts of what was revealed to them (Surah 5:13 – “…but they forgot a part of what they were reminded of.”)
None of these verses state that the actual texts of the Torah and Gospel were rewritten, destroyed, or physically altered. The Qur’an accuses some people of misusing Scripture, but not of corrupting the books themselves.
In fact, the Qur’an speaks respectfully of the Torah and the Gospel as still existing in its time:
- Surah 5:47: “Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.”
- Surah 10:94: “So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you.”
If the Scriptures of the People of the Book were truly corrupted in their text, why would the Qur’an instruct people to judge by them, or to ask their followers?
Most Muslims do not know this. They are taught that the Bible is corrupted — without being told that the Qur’an itself never says so.
What does History Say?
The claim that the Bible has been corrupted is common among Muslims. However, it is not a claim based on history. It is not a claim supported by manuscript evidence. And it is not a claim that withstands serious examination.
The Bible’s textual history stands as one of the strongest in ancient literature. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the physical evidence of manuscripts testifies to its preservation far more reliably than the Qur’an itself.
The Bible’s Manuscript Evidence
The Old Testament (or Hebrew Scriptures) is preserved in several major manuscript traditions. The most famous early copies are the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in caves near Qumran and dated between 250 BC and 70 AD. These scrolls contain fragments of every Old Testament book except Esther. When compared with later Hebrew manuscripts like the Aleppo Codex and the Leningrad Codex (both from around the 10th–11th centuries AD), scholars found that the text remained virtually unchanged — over 99% agreement, apart from minor spelling differences or scribal errors.
The New Testament, likewise, has overwhelming manuscript support. Over 5,800 Greek manuscripts have survived. Alongside them, there are over 10,000 Latin manuscripts and another 9,300 copies in other ancient languages such as Syriac, Coptic, and Armenian. The earliest fragment of the New Testament is the Rylands Papyrus (P52), which contains a portion of the Gospel of John and is dated around 125 AD — barely a few decades after the Apostle John’s death. Complete manuscripts like the Codex Sinaiticus (c. 325 AD), Codex Vaticanus (c. 350 AD), and Codex Alexandrinus (c. 400 AD) preserve the entire New Testament.
It is important to note that variations between manuscripts are minor: differences in spelling, word order, or phrasing. None of these affect any core Christian doctrine. The early Church did not suppress variant readings; instead, all textual variants were preserved and studied transparently. The result? The New Testament is widely recognized as the most accurately preserved document from the ancient world.
The evidence is clear: the Bible was not corrupted. Its preservation is a fact of history.
What About the Qur’an?
In contrast to the Bible, the history of the Qur’an’s textual transmission is less stable than often claimed. Islamic tradition itself acknowledges that after the Prophet Muhammad’s death, there were disagreements over the Qur’anic text. During the reign of Caliph Uthman, competing versions of the Qur’an led him to commission an official recension and order all other copies to be burned (Sahih al-Bukhari 6.61.510). This act of standardization, rather than preserving diversity of manuscripts, eliminated variations forcibly.
Despite this, variants survived. Early Qur’anic manuscripts like the Sana’a Palimpsest (discovered in Yemen), the Topkapi Manuscript in Istanbul, and the Samarkand Manuscript in Uzbekistan show textual differences, sometimes significant. The Sana’a Palimpsest, for instance, contains an erased lower text (the earlier writing) which differs from the standard Qur’anic text written over it.
The existence of multiple Qira’at (readings) of the Qur’an presents further challenges. Words and meanings differ between readings like Hafs and Warsh, both still in use today. Unlike biblical textual variants, these Qur’anic differences affect the reading and sometimes the meaning of the verses. Modern Qur’ans generally follow the Hafs reading, but the presence of differing Qur’ans globally is a fact rarely discussed.
Furthermore, access to early Qur’anic manuscripts has often been restricted. While biblical manuscripts are widely published and studied, some early Qur’anic fragments remain unpublished or inaccessible to scholars.
Comparing Bible and Qur’an Preservation
The Bible’s textual tradition is transparent and documented. Variants are preserved, not erased. Scholars from all backgrounds have open access to the texts. The Qur’an’s history involves suppression of variants, selective standardization, and significant differences among recitations.
Whereas the Bible’s earliest manuscripts date from centuries before Muhammad, the Qur’an’s earliest manuscripts — those that survive today — date no earlier than the mid-7th century and show evidence of human editing.
To claim that the Bible was corrupted while asserting perfect preservation for the Qur’an is not supported by the historical facts. The evidence says otherwise.
Christians today can hold the Bible in their hands knowing it is the same Scripture that Jesus read, taught from, and fulfilled — and that the apostles wrote and preached. Its words are preserved not by secrecy, but by the providence of God through transparency.
In short: the Bible we have today is the same Bible known 1,400 years ago.
What About Lost Gospels?
Sometimes Muslims are told that other “Gospels” once existed but were hidden or destroyed by the Church. This claim is simply false. Books like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, or the Infancy Gospel of James were never regarded as Scripture by the early Christian community. These are Gnostic writings, appearing in the 2nd or 3rd century, long after the original apostles had died.
These so-called gospels do not align with the Torah or the genuine Gospel. Their content contradicts the message of Jesus and the prophets before Him. They were written by small sects attempting to promote secret “knowledge” (which is what gnostic means). The early Christians — including those who gave their lives for their faith — rejected these books outright.
Even the Qur’an does not mention these texts. When the Qur’an speaks of the Injil, it refers to the true Gospel — which is the message recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There is no historical evidence that these four Gospels were altered or replaced.
Can God’s Word Be Corrupted?
Another question must be asked: If God reveals a Scripture, could human beings truly succeed in corrupting it?
The Qur’an itself gives a clear answer:
Surah 6:34 – “There is none that can alter the words of Allah.”
Surah 10:64 – “No change can there be in the words of Allah.”
This presents a major theological problem for the common Muslim claim that the Bible was corrupted. The Qur’an repeatedly affirms that the Torah (Tawrat) and the Gospel (Injil) were given as guidance and light for humanity (Surah 5:44, 5:46). How then could they have been changed, when the Qur’an says no one can alter Allah’s words?
In Surah 5:47, it even commands the Christians: “Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.”
Some Muslims attempt to answer that only the Qur’an was meant by these verses. However, the Qur’an itself never limits Allah’s unchangeable words to the Qur’an alone. On the contrary, the Qur’an acknowledges previous Scriptures as revelations from God Himself.
If the Gospel were corrupted, why would Allah instruct Christians to follow it? This command makes no sense if the Injil had been altered.
What History Proves
Beyond theological reasoning, history confirms the Bible’s preservation. Archaeology has uncovered ancient manuscripts, confirming that the Bible read today is the same as that known to Christians centuries before Muhammad’s time. Early Church Fathers quoted extensively from both Old and New Testaments, making it possible to reconstruct the entire Bible from their writings alone.
From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Codex Sinaiticus, from the teachings of early Christians to modern printed Bibles, the text of Scripture remains unchanged.
Muslims are often told that the Bible was lost or rewritten. But this is a myth. History, archaeology, and textual scholarship tell a different story — a story of preservation, not corruption.
The true question is not whether the Bible has been changed. It is whether you will read what God has preserved.
What Does the Qur’an Actually Say About the Bible?
Muslims are frequently taught that the Bible—the Torah (Tawrat), the Psalms (Zabur), and the Gospel (Injil)—was once true but was later corrupted. However, when we look carefully at what the Qur’an itself says, this claim becomes impossible to support.
Islamic teachers may claim otherwise, but the Qur’an presents the Bible in Muhammad’s time as a living, trustworthy, and present source of divine truth.
The Bible Is Described as “Guidance and Light”
The Qur’an consistently speaks of the Torah and the Gospel as valid revelations from God, containing truth, guidance, and instruction for living.
Surah 5:44
“Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light.”
Surah 5:46
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah. And We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light, and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.”
Notice that these verses are not speaking about ancient, lost books. According to the Qur’an, the Torah and the Gospel were valid, trustworthy revelations still accessible in Muhammad’s time.
If Muslims today claim that the Torah and Gospel are lost or corrupted, they contradict the Qur’an itself.
Jews and Christians Are Commanded to Follow Their Scriptures
The Qur’an directly instructs Jews and Christians to judge by what God revealed in the Torah and the Gospel.
Surah 5:47
“So 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 Book! You have no ground to stand upon unless you uphold the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.”
How could Jews and Christians “judge” by their Scriptures if those Scriptures were corrupt, missing, or destroyed? This command assumes that their books are still intact and truthful.
The Qur’an sees the Bible as a valid, living authority in Muhammad’s day.
Muhammad Himself Told to Consult the People of the Book
When Muhammad was unsure or in doubt about the revelations he received, the Qur’an instructs him to consult those who had received the earlier Scriptures.
Surah 10:94
“So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you.”
This command would make no sense if those Scriptures were corrupted or rewritten. The Qur’an assumes that the earlier revelations—the Torah and the Gospel—still existed and were trustworthy during Muhammad’s lifetime.
In effect, the Qur’an acknowledges that the people of the book (Jews and Christians) possessed true Scriptures, not corrupted ones.
But What About Verses Like Surah 2:79?
Some Muslims point to Surah 2:79 as proof of Bible corruption:
Surah 2:79
“So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ in order to exchange it for a small price.”
This verse does not accuse Jews or Christians of corrupting the Torah or Gospel. Instead, it condemns the practice of producing false writings and pretending that they are divine. It’s a warning against counterfeit scriptures—not a statement that the original Scriptures were rewritten or lost.
Nowhere in the Qur’an does it say that the actual Torah, Psalms, or Gospel themselves were rewritten, lost, or corrupted.
Does the Qur’an Ever Say the Bible Was Changed?
No. The Qur’an never says that the Torah or Gospel were altered after being revealed.
In fact, the Qur’an says that:
- No one can change God’s words.
Surah 6:34
“There is none that can alter the words of Allah.”
Surah 10:64
“No change can there be in the words of Allah.”
Since the Torah and Gospel are referred to as revelations from Allah Himself (Surah 5:44, 5:46), Muslims are left with a contradiction if they claim those books were changed. According to the Qur’an, God’s Word cannot be changed.
Historical Reality Supports the Qur’an’s Description
Even from a historical perspective, the claim that the Bible was lost or corrupted cannot stand. Manuscript evidence proves that the Bible Jews and Christians possessed in Muhammad’s time was the same Bible read today. Translations, early church quotations, and manuscript discoveries confirm its preservation.
- Christians read the same four Gospels from the 1st century onward: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- No ancient evidence shows these were changed, lost, or replaced.
- The Qur’an itself seems unaware of any “lost Gospel.”
Why Are Muslims Told the Bible Is Corrupted?
The claim that the Bible was corrupted came centuries after Muhammad. Early Islamic scholars needed to explain why the Bible did not support Muhammad’s claims. Instead of admitting a contradiction, they began teaching that the Bible must have been corrupted.
But this teaching is not from the Qur’an itself.
The Qur’an honors the Bible. It refers to the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel as divine revelations, containing guidance and truth. It commands Jews and Christians to judge by their Scriptures, and even tells Muhammad to consult them.
Muslims who claim the Bible is corrupted are rejecting not only history and manuscript evidence, but also the Qur’an’s own words.
In truth, the Qur’an itself stands as a witness for the reliability of the Bible.
Why Claim the Bible Is Corrupted? The Real Reason
Many Muslims today are told from childhood that the Bible has been changed or corrupted. But when we investigate, this claim is not found in the Qur’an itself. It is a later invention.
Why Was This Claim Made?
Because the Bible directly contradicts Islam’s teachings. The Bible teaches key doctrines that Islam rejects:
- Jesus is the Son of God (John 3:16, John 20:31). Islam denies this (Qur’an 112:3: “He begets not, nor is He begotten”).
- Jesus was crucified and resurrected (Mark 15:37, Luke 24:6-7). Islam denies this (Qur’an 4:157: “They killed him not”).
- Salvation is by grace through faith, not by deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9). In contrast, Islam teaches a weighing of deeds on Judgment Day (Surah 23:102–103).
This presents a theological problem. If the Bible is correct, then Islam cannot be.
Rather than reconsider Muhammad’s teachings, later Muslim scholars came up with a convenient answer: claim that the Bible was corrupted.
The Origin of the Corruption Claim
In early Islam, during Muhammad’s lifetime, Jews and Christians were referred to as “People of the Book” (Ahl al-Kitab). The Qur’an tells them to judge by their Scriptures (Surah 5:47) and even assures Muhammad that if he has doubts, he should consult them (Surah 10:94).
However, about 400 years after Muhammad, a Muslim scholar named Ibn Hazm (11th century Spain) formalized the accusation that the Bible had been changed. Why? Because when he read the Bible, he saw teachings about Jesus that Islam rejects. Instead of accepting the Bible, he concluded it had been corrupted.
From that point forward, the claim that the Bible was changed became popular in Islamic teaching.
But this reasoning is backwards. Instead of examining the evidence, they rejected it to protect Islamic doctrine.
A Convenient Excuse
The accusation of corruption serves a purpose: it allows Muslims to reject the Bible without reading or considering its message.
They’re told, “The Bible was changed,” so they never examine what Jesus said, what the Gospel teaches, or why the Injil matters.
This claim functions as a theological defense mechanism.
Why This Claim Fails
- The Qur’an itself respects the Bible. It does not teach that the Bible was changed (Surah 5:44-47, 10:94).
- Historical manuscripts prove Bible preservation. There is no evidence of corruption or rewriting.
- The accusation emerged centuries after Muhammad. It is not original Islam.
In other words, the charge that the Bible was changed is not a historical fact. It is an excuse used to avoid facing contradictions between Islam and the Gospel.
Muslims are not rejecting the real Bible. They’re rejecting a myth about the Bible.
What Does the Qur’an Actually Say About the Bible?
One of the strongest assumptions among Muslims today is that the Bible was “corrupted” or “changed.” Yet, this belief does not come from the Qur’an itself. Instead, the Qur’an consistently presents the previous Scriptures — the Torah (Tawrat), Psalms (Zabur), and Gospel (Injil) — as genuine revelations from Allah, still possessing guidance and light.
This is a key point. If Allah revealed them, can humans alter them? What does the Qur’an actually say?
The Qur’an’s Affirmation of the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel
Repeatedly, the Qur’an affirms that the previous Scriptures were real revelations from Allah. Consider the following verses:
- Surah 3:3 – “He has sent down upon you the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.”
- Surah 5:44 – “Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light.”
- Surah 5:46 – “And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming what was before him in the Torah. And We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light.”
- Surah 5:47 – “Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.”
- Surah 10:94 – “So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you.”
Notice carefully:
- The Torah and the Gospel are called guidance and light.
- Jesus himself is said to have received the Gospel directly from Allah.
- Christians are commanded to judge by what Allah has revealed in the Gospel.
- Muhammad is told to consult those who read the previous Scriptures if he has doubts.
If the Torah and Gospel had been corrupted at Muhammad’s time, it makes no sense that Allah would tell Muhammad and his followers to respect and consult them.
Nowhere does the Qur’an accuse the Torah, Psalms, or Gospel of being corrupted texts.
The Qur’an Says Allah’s Words Cannot Be Changed
This argument is even stronger when we read the Qur’an’s clear statements about Allah’s words being unchangeable:
- Surah 6:34 – “There is none that can alter the words of Allah.”
- Surah 10:64 – “No change can there be in the words of Allah.”
According to the Qur’an itself, the Torah and the Gospel are the words of Allah (Surah 5:44, 5:46). Therefore, based on the Qur’an’s teaching, these books cannot be corrupted.
If the Bible could be changed, then it would mean humans have power over Allah’s words, which the Qur’an denies.
In fact, the Qur’an uses the Bible’s authority to validate its own message. It presents itself as a “confirmation” of previous revelations (Surah 3:3). A “confirmation” cannot be based on a corrupted source.
What About Verses That Seem to Accuse Jews and Christians?
Sometimes Muslims refer to verses like Surah 2:75 or Surah 3:78 to argue that the Scriptures were altered. But careful reading shows these verses refer to individuals misrepresenting Scripture verbally, not altering the written text.
For example:
- Surah 3:78 – “And indeed, there is among them a group who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture.”
Note the phrase: “with their tongues.” This is referring to speech, not text. It’s a warning against people who misquote or misinterpret Scripture, not against changes to the actual written Books.
If the Torah and Gospel were corrupted books, why would Allah tell:
- Christians to judge by the Gospel (Surah 5:47)?
- Muhammad to consult those who read the Scriptures (Surah 10:94)?
- People to find guidance and light in these Books (Surah 5:44, 5:46)?
The Qur’an consistently treats these Books as genuine, authoritative, and useful for guidance.
When Did the Idea of “Bible Corruption” Begin?
The belief that the Bible was corrupted developed later in Islamic history. Early Muslim scholars did not accuse the Torah and Gospel texts of being changed. Instead, this idea emerged as a way to explain why the Bible teaches things that contradict Islamic doctrines — especially about Jesus.
When Muslims heard Christians affirm that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior, and that He was crucified (as both history and the Bible teach), they needed a reason to reject this without denying their own Qur’an’s respect for the Gospel.
Thus, later Muslim scholars began teaching that the Bible was “changed” — a doctrine not found in the Qur’an itself.
The Qur’an affirms the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel as true Books from Allah. It never says they were corrupted or lost. On the contrary, it says no one can change Allah’s words.
Therefore, when Muslims reject the Bible as corrupt, they contradict the Qur’an’s own teaching.
Did Christians Change the Injil?
Many Muslims are told that Christians altered or rewrote the Gospel. But if we examine both history and logic, this claim cannot stand.
Who Were the Early Christians?
Historically, early Christians were not powerful political leaders. They were a persecuted minority, hunted by the Roman Empire and sometimes by Jewish authorities (Acts 8:1-3). They met secretly, often in homes or caves. Many were tortured and executed.
Why is this important? Because it shows they had no power to enforce a mass “corruption” of Scripture across the known world.
- The four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — were already widely copied and distributed across different regions before the 2nd century.
- Christians from Egypt, Syria, Rome, and Asia Minor all had copies. They were separated by vast distances and different languages (Greek, Coptic, Latin, Syriac).
If someone had changed the Gospel in one region, it would have been easily spotted when compared with copies elsewhere.
No Central Authority to Change Scriptures
Unlike later Islam, early Christianity had no single leader or empire to oversee the Scriptures.
- The Roman Empire persecuted Christians. They did not control their teachings.
- There was no “Pope” or centralized authority at the time when the New Testament books were written and spread.
This makes the idea of a coordinated corruption impossible.
The Evidence of Manuscripts
Today, we have over 5,800 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, plus thousands more in Latin, Coptic, Syriac, and other languages.
- The earliest fragments date from the early 2nd century — within decades of the apostles.
- Full copies of the Gospels and New Testament (like the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) date from the 4th century, long before Islam.
No manuscript ever discovered contains a “different” Gospel.
These texts are not hidden in churches — they are in museums and libraries worldwide.
Anyone can verify them.
What About the Roman Catholic Church?
Some Muslims claim the Roman Catholic Church changed the Bible. But this ignores history.
- The Roman Catholic Church, as a centralized institution, did not fully emerge until centuries after the New Testament books were written and distributed.
- The Bible was translated into various languages before the Catholic Church existed in its formal structure.
Thus, no church council or authority had the power to alter all manuscripts.
A Logical Question
If the early Christians had altered the Bible, why would they:
- Include embarrassing details, like the apostles’ cowardice, Peter’s denial of Jesus (Mark 14:66-72), or Jesus praying in fear before His crucifixion (Luke 22:44)?
- Include difficult teachings, such as loving enemies (Matthew 5:44), instead of easier religious rules?
Altered books usually try to glorify their leaders or simplify the religion. The New Testament does the opposite. It records difficult truths.
The Qur’an’s Silent Witness
If the Gospel was changed before Muhammad, why does the Qur’an never accuse Christians of altering their scriptures?
Instead, the Qur’an tells:
- Christians to judge by the Gospel (Surah 5:47).
- Muhammad to ask those who read the Scripture before him if he has doubts (Surah 10:94).
If the Gospel had been corrupted, the Qur’an would not recommend consulting it.
Christians did not change the Injil.
- Historical evidence from manuscripts proves the Gospel we have today is the same as that in the early centuries.
- Logic shows the early Christians had no power to alter it.
- The Qur’an itself treats the Gospel as genuine.
Qur’an Commands Respect for the Gospel and Torah
Muslims are often taught that the Bible has been corrupted, but the Qur’an itself contradicts this belief. Throughout its pages, the Qur’an consistently speaks of the Torah (Tawrat) and Gospel (Injil) as true revelations from Allah, and even commands respect for them.
The Qur’an Calls the Torah and Gospel Divine Revelations
- Surah 5:44 – “Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light…”
- Surah 5:46 – “And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light…”
The Qur’an affirms both the Torah and the Gospel as containing “guidance and light.” It never claims that these scriptures were later corrupted. Instead, it presents them as valid revelations from Allah.
Qur’an Commands Christians to Follow the Gospel
- Surah 5:47 – “Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.”
This verse is critical. If the Gospel was corrupted, why would Allah command Christians to judge by it?
Muhammad lived in the 7th century. If the Gospel was corrupted before his time, he would not have told Christians to follow it. The Qur’an recognizes that the Gospel existed as a valid revelation during Muhammad’s life.
Muhammad Told to Consult Previous Scriptures
- Surah 10:94 – “If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Scripture before you.”
Muhammad himself was directed, in moments of doubt, to consult the People of the Book — those who read the previous Scriptures. Again, this confirms that the Torah and Gospel during his time were viewed as genuine.
If the Torah and Gospel were corrupted, the Qur’an would not endorse consulting their followers.
Qur’an Does Not Accuse of Scriptural Corruption
At no point does the Qur’an accuse Jews or Christians of altering their Scriptures’ text.
Some Islamic scholars try to interpret verses like Surah 2:75 or Surah 3:78 as referring to textual corruption (tahrif al-nass), but these passages speak about misinterpretation or distortion in recitation, not rewriting the actual text.
- Surah 3:78 – “And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues…”
This refers to oral distortion, not editing manuscripts.
Early Islamic tafsir (interpretations) from scholars like Ibn Abbas, al-Tabari, and Ibn Kathir primarily spoke of tahrif al-ma’ani (distortion of meaning), not textual corruption.
Allah’s Promise: His Words Cannot Be Changed
- Surah 6:34 – “There is none that can alter the words of Allah.”
- Surah 10:64 – “No change can there be in the words of Allah.”
According to the Qur’an itself, Allah’s words are protected from change. The Torah and Gospel are described as Allah’s words (Surah 5:44-46).
Thus, the idea that these Scriptures were rewritten or lost directly contradicts what the Qur’an teaches.
The Qur’an itself stands as a witness that:
- The Torah and Gospel were revealed by Allah.
- These Scriptures contained guidance and light.
- Christians are commanded to follow the Gospel.
- Muhammad himself was told to consult the People of the Book.
- Nowhere does the Qur’an accuse Christians of altering their Scriptures’ text.
- Allah’s words cannot be changed.
If Muslims believe the Qur’an, they must accept that the Bible is not corrupt
The Bible is NOT Corrupted
The claim that the Bible is corrupted is a modern Islamic teaching, not supported by the Qur’an, history, or reason.
From the earliest centuries, the Bible has been preserved through:
- Thousands of Greek and other language manuscripts.
- Writings of early Christians who quoted Scripture extensively.
- Ancient translations in Coptic, Latin, Syriac, and others.
No evidence supports the idea that the Torah or Gospel were rewritten or lost.
Even the Qur’an testifies to the truth and preservation of these books.
- Surah 5:47 – “Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.”
- Surah 6:34 – “There is none that can alter the words of Allah.”
- Surah 10:94 – “If you are in doubt… ask those who read the Scripture before you.”
Additionally, the Qur’an itself respects the Torah and Gospel as containing guidance and light (Surah 5:44, 5:46). If God’s word cannot be changed — as Islam affirms — then the Scriptures sent before Muhammad stand true today.
If you are a Muslim reader, you may have been told that the Bible cannot be trusted. But step back. Look at what the Qur’an itself says. Look at the historical manuscripts. Consider: are you rejecting the Gospel based on facts, or just inherited opinions?
The message of the Gospel is not corrupted. It is the truth:
- Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to fulfill the Torah and Prophets.
- He was crucified, as the prophets foretold (Isaiah 53:5-6; Psalm 22:16).
- He rose from the dead.
- He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who trust Him.
God’s promise is clear:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
The Bible remains — not corrupted, but preserved.
Now, the choice is yours. Will you believe what men say, or what God has preserved?
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
– Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28)