The Islamic perspective on the Bible is complex and nuanced. Here's a breakdown of key points:
1. Acceptance of Previous Prophets and Scriptures:
* Islam recognizes many of the prophets found in the Bible, including Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and John the Baptist. These prophets are considered important figures in Islamic history and are revered.
* The Quran acknowledges that God sent scriptures to previous prophets, including the Torah (Tawrat) to Moses, the Psalms (Zabur) to David, and the Gospel (Injil) to Jesus.
2. Belief in Original Revelation:
* Muslims believe that the original messages revealed to these prophets were pure and divine. The Quran speaks of these scriptures with respect.
3. Claim of Corruption and Alteration (Tahrif):
* This is a core difference. Muslims believe that the Bible, as it exists today, has been altered and corrupted over time (a concept known as *tahrif*). This corruption, they argue, was done by human hands, either intentionally or unintentionally.
* They argue that certain passages were added, removed, or changed, leading to discrepancies between the original divine messages and the current text of the Bible.
* Specific examples of alleged corruption often cited include:
* Doctrinal differences: The Trinity (a central Christian belief) is seen as a later addition that contradicts the strict monotheism of the original message.
* Passages that seem to contradict the nature of God or the character of prophets: For example, stories of prophets committing sins.
* Prophecies about Muhammad: Muslims believe that some prophecies in the original scriptures about the coming of a final prophet were either removed or misinterpreted.
4. The Quran as the Final and Uncorrupted Word of God:
* Muslims believe the Quran is the final and complete revelation from God, and it serves as a correction and clarification of any distortions that may have occurred in previous scriptures.
* They believe that God has protected the Quran from alteration, ensuring its authenticity and preservation.
5. Respect and Engagement:
* While Muslims believe the Bible is corrupted, they are often encouraged to engage with it for the purpose of understanding the roots of their faith and for interfaith dialogue.
* However, they are cautioned to rely on the Quran as the ultimate guide for religious matters.
Specific Quranic Verses Related to the Bible:
* Surah Al-Ma'idah (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." (This verse speaks positively about the Gospel)
* Surah Al-Imran (3:78): "And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from Allah," but it is not from Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they know." (This verse alludes to the alteration of scripture)
* Surah Al-Baqarah (2:79): "So woe to those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, "This is from Allah," in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn." (Another verse implying corruption of scripture)
In summary:
Muslims generally respect the Bible as a collection of books that contain remnants of the original divine messages revealed to prophets. However, they believe that the text has been altered and is no longer a completely reliable source of divine guidance. They hold the Quran as the final, complete, and uncorrupted word of God.