The Koran and The Bible compared
The Koran
Muslims believe that the Koran (Qur‟an) was gradually revealed from Allah
to Muhammad verbally through the angel
Jibrīl (Gabriel) over a period of approximately
twenty-three years, beginning in 610 AD, when he was forty, and concluding in 632 AD,
the year of his death. Importantly, according to the Koran, the Bible is the inspired Word
of God - Muslims are commanded to believe in the Bible (Refer to Suras 2:89; 2:136;
4:13; 4:136; 4:150-152; 32:24; etc.). The Koran clearly states that no one can change
God‟s Word (Bible). For Muslims, this is
a fatal contradiction, as we‟ll soon discover.
The words of the Lord (the Bible) are perfect in truth and justice; there is none
who can change His words. He both heareth and knoweth. (Sura 6:114-115)
If you (Muhammad) doubt what We (Allah) have revealed to you, ask those who
have read the Scriptures (the Bible) before you. The truth has come to you from
your Lord: therefore do not doubt it. (Suras 10:94-96 and 21:7)
The Bible:
According to the Bible, it alone is the Word of God. The Bible is complete.
Any new revelation (such as the Koran) is condemned.
You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you
may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
(Deuteronomy 4:2)
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do
not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Proverbs
30:5-6)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… (2 Timothy 3:16)
Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the
saints. (Jude 1:3)
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:
If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are
written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book
of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life.
(Revelation 22:18, 19)
Because the Bible states that new revelation, such as the Koran, is to be rejected, then
either the Bible is wrong or the Koran is wrong. They cannot both
be God‟s Word.
Koran -
Is It God’s Word?
Prophecy
The Koran has no specific, fulfilled prophecies. Only generalizations
regarding the Day of Judgement (Sura 77:6-12).
Historical:
There is no evidence that Allah directed history or that the Koran
anticipated future events. In fact, the Koran has numerous errors regarding history.
Scientific:
No true scientific foreknowledge in the Koran, and many mistakes.
Archaeology:
Excavations refute and contradict many claims in the Koran.
Power over death:
There is no evidence that Allah or Muhammad had
supernatural power or power over death.
Koran: Errors, Contradictions, and other Problems
The Koran claims that it is a continuation of the Bible and will not contradict it. Therefore,
any verifiable contradiction is enough to prove the Koran is not the inspired Word of God.
We believe in God, and in what hath been revealed unto us, and in that
which hath been revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and
Jacob, and the tribes; and in what hath been given unto Moses and Jesus,
and that which hath been given unto the prophets from their Lord. We
make no distinction between any of them; and unto Him are we resigned.
(Sura 2:136)
Examples of Error in the Koran:
Creation
- According to Sura 41:9-12, it took Allah eight days to create the
world. Yet, Suras 7:51 and 10:3 agree with the Bible which states that God created the
world in six days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 20:11).
Noah’s Ark
- Sura 11:44 claims Noah‟s Ark came to rest on top of Mount Judi
while the Bible says Mount Ararat (Genesis 8:4).
Nimrod
- The Koran claims Nimrod threw Abraham into a fire (Suras 21:68,69
and 9:69). This serious error contradicts the Bible and history. Nimrod lived many
centuries before Abraham. Nimrod was long dead when Abraham was born (Compare
Genesis 10:8, 9; 11:19-26).
Noah’s Flood
- The Koran indicates Noah‟s flood took place in Abraham‟s day
(compare Sura 7:59 with 7:136). This is a historical impossibility (Genesis 9:28-29; 11:10-
26).
Haman and Babel -
The Koran says that Haman lived in Egypt during the time of
Moses and worked for Pharoah building the tower of Babel (Suras 28:38; 29:39; 40:23,
24, 36, 37). But Haman actually lived many centuries later in Persia and was in the service
of King Ahasuerus according to the Book of Esther (Esther 3). This again reveals the
Koran contradicts both the Bible and secular history - proving the Koran is not the word
of God.
Crucifixion -
The Koran indicates that crucifixion was used by Pharoah (Sura
7:124), though history reveals it was not invented until many centuries later.
Mary or Miriam -
Muhammad confused Mary, the mother of Jesus with Miriam,
the sister of Moses and Aaron (Sura 19:28). This is a very serious error as it reveals that
Muhammad and his followers had no understanding of the different time periods for
biblical figures. Miriam lived 1500 years before Mary!
Mary’s Miracles
Muhammad clearly made up fraudulent speeches and miracles
for Mary (Sura 19:23-26).
Fictional Speeches -
Muhammad made up fictional speeches using words that did
not exist at the time of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Moses, Mary, Jesus, etc. For
example, Muhammad quotes
several Bible characters using the words “Muslim” and
“Islam.” Yet, these words did not even exist
until hundreds and even thousands of years
later. (Refer to: Suras 2:60, 126-128, 132-133, 260; 3:49-52, 67; 6:74-82; 7:59-63, 120-
126; 10:71, 72; 18:60-70; 19:16-33; etc.)
Secular History
- Sura 105 claims that the elephant army of Abraha was defeated
by birds dropping stones of baked clay upon them. But according to the historical record,
Abraha
‟s army withdrew their attack on Mecca after smallpox broke out among the
troops.
Jews -
In Sura 20:87, 95 we are told that the Jews made the golden calf in the
wilderness at the suggestion of “the Samaritan.” Yet, Samaria did not exist until
many
centuries after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32; 1 Kings)!
Alexander the Great -
The Koran claims that Alexander the Great (Dhul-
Qarnayn) was a Muslim who worshipped Allah (Sura 18:84-98). Yet, history clearly
contradicts this claim.
Scientific Errors
- The Koran claims that Alexander the Great followed the
setting of the sun and found that it went down into the waters of a muddy spring (Sura
18:85, 86)! In contrast, the Bible explains that the sun goes in a circuit (Psalm 19:6).
Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity
– the theory that
the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now
know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is
literally moving through space in a huge circuit
– just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!
Clots of Blood
- Allah claims he created man from clots of blood (Sura 96). This
contradicts the Bible and science. The Bible says God created man from the dust of the
earth (Genesis 2:7; 3:19), and today science confirms that man is indeed made from the
elements (dust) of the earth. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised
of some 28 base and trace elements
– all of which are found in the earth.
More Contradictions -
The Koran contradicts itself in many passages. For
example, Sura 32:5 says a day is as a thousand years, while Sura 70:4 states that a day is
as fifty-thousand years.
Abraham or Moses -
The Koran states that Abraham was the first to believe
(Sura 6:14). It then turns around and says Moses was the first to believe (Sura 7:143).
Persecution -
The Koran orders persecution of other religions and demands they
pay tribute (bribe money) (Sura 9:5, 29). The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors,
strangers, and even our enemies (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 10:19; Matthew 5:44;
Luke 6:35). Even in the Old Testament, God did not order the destruction of a pagan
culture until the cancer of sin spread so far as to be incurable and only if they were not
willing to repent (Jonah 3 and 4). Furthermore, the Bible commands believers to never
take a bribe (Exodus 23:8).
Arabian Fables -
Many stories in the Koran were well-known fables and folklore
before they were written by Muhammad. For example, the story of the she-camel who
leapt out of a rock and became a prophet was known long before Muhammad (Suras
7:73-77, 85; 91:14; 54:29).
Ape Legends -
The Koran reports that an entire village of people were turned into
apes because they broke the Sabbath by fishing (Suras 2:65; 7:163-166). This legend
precedes Muhammad and his followers
– who apparently plagiarized it.
Rip Van Winkle -
The Koran says that seven men and their animals slept for 309
years in a cave and then awoke perfectly fine (Sura 18:9-26)!
