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June 13, 2026 · 11:15 pm

Are Prophets Jesus & Muhammed foretold in the Old Testament?

“Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet, the unlettered, whom they find mentioned in the Law and the Gospel.” (Qur’an 7:157)

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Introduction: Methodology and Metonymy

Note that the above text does not indicate that a name would be found in the Law or the Gospel. It is simply descriptions of this Prophet.

However if we were to entertain the possibility of the name of the Blessed Prophet (saw) being mentioned anywhere what would the methodology look like?

What is the methodology used to show that the Blessed Prophets Jesus & Muhammed is mentioned in the Old Testament?

For our Christian brothers and sisters to be consistent, we would like to bring their attention to the following text:

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms must be fulfilled.”(Luke 24:44)

Note: Jesus talks about events written about him in the law of Moses; however, when we look at the Torah, we do not find the name of Jesus anywhere.

There can only be one of two conclusions from this.

Jesus was not telling the truth.
When Jesus says, ‘written about him ‘. He is speaking about metonymy.

The Christians conclude that point 2 is the correct understanding. Though Jesus is not mentioned by name at all in the Law of Moses; Christians would point out that the scriptures speak of him, nonetheless. This is a matter of interpretation, not a matter of explicit textual evidence.

In both the Qur’an and the ‘Gospel according to Luke’ a literary device known as metonymy is used.

What is metonymy?

“Metonymy has traditionally been defined as merely a figure of speech where the name of one entity is substituted for that of another entity that is contiguous to it (Peters, 2003; Wendland, 2003). Thus, according to the traditional rhetorical view, metonymy is only referential, and it involves substitution provided that the substituted entities are contiguous. Thus, according to cognitive linguists, metonymy is not merely a figure of speech; it is also a way of thinking and conceptualizing. Therefore, any definition of metonymy should not talk about words or names of things; rather, it should be about concepts or entities.”

Source: (Translation of Metonymy in the Holy Qur’an: A Comparative, Analytical Study) -Reem Salem Al-Salem

This methodology used by the Christians should be kept in mind as we continue our discussion on “Muhammed and Jesus mentioned in the Old Testament.”

We simply ask that consistent methodologies be used.

The New Testament makes the following claim about the Tanach/Old Testament concerning Jesus.

“That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:4) Jews have always been puzzled by this Christian claim as there simply are no Scriptures (here meaning the Tanach) about a Messiah who will rise from the dead.

We have seen well meaning Christians offer the following:

Psalms 16:8-11
Isaiah 53:10-11
Hosea 6:1-2
Jonah 1:17-2:2, 6-7, 10.

Yet when brought under close examination by both Muslims and Jews none of those text say anything at all that the author of Corinthians 15:4 is claiming.

Third the New Testament back projects supposed prophecies about Jesus that are nothing more than quote mining text. There is nothing amazing in the text to warrant awe to begin with. Worst still the text has to be taken out of context to even remotely, possibly, apply it to Jesus!

Case in point.

“And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” (Matthew 2:15)

First off what is even remarkable about this? Really? However, what is truly embarrassing is the source this is ripped out of context from.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.” (Hosea 11:1-2)

This text in no way shape or form is a reference to Jesus. Who ever thought it was a good idea to rip the text of Hosea 11:1 and ignore the context and some how make this some amazing prophecy should fear Allah! If we were take this into context we would have to believe that the more Allah (swt) called to to his son (Jesus) -instead of (Israel) the more they(Jesus) went away from him (Allah). They (Jesus) sacrificed to Baals and they (Jesus) burned incense to images. This demonstrates a complete disregard for the context of the verse, which is a serious interpretive error.

So the fact that Christians can do this and be amazed about these prophecies in the Tanach when there are more tenable and reasonable prophecies about Muhammed (saw)then it really shows you the depths of some people’s spiritual blindness.

“Indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts in the chests that grow blind.” (Qur’an 22:46)

The Metonymy has to make sense. In the case of Matthew 2:15 and the citation of Hosea 11:1-2 it does not work.

Using the methodology of Matthew We can establish a prophecy concerning Muhammed (saw) in the Old Testament.

“Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate , saying, “Please read this.” And he will say, “I cannot read .” The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” (Isaiah 29:12-13)

Anyone who has studied Islam knows that this is a prophecy concerning the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw) in the cave of hira when the angel Gabriel came to him.

Contextomy: How New Testament writers quote the Old Testament for prophecies.

To show the reader that it is not very difficult to take passages out of context in the “Old Testament” and make them apply to Jesus, we decided to see if we were any good at it. None of these are prophecies that Christians currently accept. However, we quote mined the Tanach and found things that could be applicable to Jesus. This is known as contextomy. You the reader be the judge.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man, thus fulfilling what was WRITTEN of him.” (Luke 2:52)

Well, we would then have a {footnote} that would say (Proverbs 3:4). You, the Christian wanting to see the amazing ‘prophecy’ fulfillment’ would turn to find.

“And you will find favor and understanding in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:4)

So that is fulfilled in Jesus. If not, why not?

“And they all forsook him and fled, thus fulfilling what was WRITTEN of him.” (Mark 14:50)

We would then have a {footnote} that would say (Isaiah 53:3). You, the Christian wanting to see the amazing ‘prophecy’ fulfilled, would turn to find:

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)

So that was fulfilled when the disciples all left Jesus. If not, why not?

“Jesus wept, thus fulfilling what the scripture said concerning him.” (John 11:35)

We would then have a {footnote} giving (Psalms 69:3). You, the Christian wanting to see this amazing ‘prophecy’ fulfilled, would then find:

” I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.” (Psalms 69:3)

So this was fulfilled when Jesus wept. If not. why not?

If Christians object that these examples are ‘taken out of context,’ then they must apply the same standard to their own proof-texts. Context matters, unless it is being used to support a theological agenda.

Christians see Jesus in Psalm 22 but not Psalm 51.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.” (Psalm 22:1-2)

So the Christians will argue with the Jews that Psalm 22 is about Jesus.

However, Christians will not say the same about Psalm 51.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2)

The name of Jesus is neither text. The presupposition of the one doing the interpretation.

For example the Jews do not accept the Christian interpretation of (Psalm 22) as a reference to Jesus.

Source: (https://jewsforjudaism.org/knowledge/articles/the-truth-about-psalms-22-17)

Jews are often exhausted by Christian attempts to find references or prophecies concerning Jesus in the Tanach. Likewise, this frustration is given to Muslims by Christians who feel that there are no references to Muhammed (saw) in the Tanach.

Are prophets Jesus (as) or Muhammed (saw) mentioned by name in the Tnch?

Jesus name in the Tnch would be Yeshua יֵשׁוּעַ

Yeshua” is the Aramaic form of “Joshua” (Yehoshua).

The name “Yeshua” appears approximately 30 times in the Tanakh, referring to various individuals.

The name means that ‘God is salvation’. Which should be a huge eye opener for any Christian. There would be no Hebrew name that would be equivalent of saying: ‘I am salvation’ for that would be blasphemous.

Second, it is proof beyond doubt for those who have hearts to see and minds to reflect that the name Jesus cannot be the name of God. It was a run of the mill name.

There was a magician named Bar Jesus.

“When they had travelled through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a magician named Bar-Jesus who was a Jewish false prophet.” (Acts 13:6)

Jesus the son of the father or Jesus called Messiah.

So when the crowd had gathered,Pilate asked them,‘Which one do you want me to release to you:
Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’” (Matthew 27:17)

There was a contemporary of Paul called Jesus-Justus

“And Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.” (Colossians 4:11)

Another proof that Jesus cannot be the name of God is the following text:

“Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. (Nehemiah 9:5)

It is clear that someone with the name Jesus is askingfor blessing in the name of God. -Which is not his name. This Jesus in the Tanach is directing praise away from himself.

Is this name Yeshua יֵשׁוּעַ connected to any prophecies about a future prophet in the Tanach?

The answer is no it is not.

There is however another so called claimed name to be of Jesus (as)

We read: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us“. (Matthew 1:23)

This is used to make a connection to some supposed prophecy of a virgin birth:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Immanuel is also a common Jewish name which means ‘God is with us‘.

Maher-shalal-hash-baz was called Immanuel in the following text:

“It shall pass into Judah and flood it all throughout up to the neck it shall reach; It shall spread its wings the full width of your land, Immanuel!” (Isaiah 8:8)

That this is an example of a failed prophecy plain pure and simple. It’s amazing the lengths that Christian apologists will go through to make this all add up. It is used as a plot device to move the story of Jesus along. No one called him Immanuel at all. Not his own mother, not his disciples. The Christians do not baptize in this name or pray to this name at all.

Now imagine if the text in Isaiah 7:14 said: “The virgin will conceive and give birth a son, and will call him Yeshua .” Now that would be truly something wonderous.

Is the name of Muhammed (saw) in the Bible?

Now obviously, for a Chrisitian or a Jew this debate has huge implications for them.

First and foremost this may come as a shock to many in the Jewish and Christian communities but what you call the “Hebrew alphabet” today is actually the Assyrian (square) script (Ktav Ashuri, כתב אשורי), borrowed from Aramaic, while the Samaritan script, which is largely forgotten outside of Samaritan communities, is actually a direct descendant of the ancient Paleo-Hebrew script used by the Israelites before the Babylonian Exile.

In other words, the Samaritans, who were historically marginalized by mainstream Judaism, preserved the original Hebrew script, while the Jewish community, which considers itself the true heir of Israelite tradition, abandoned it in favor of a foreign-derived script.

Source: (https://samaritantorah.com/samaritan-alphabet)

The debate around Mahamaddim.

The Hebrew Bible does not have a rigid, mathematically perfect rule for the intensive (“majestic”) plural. It is a feature of the language, not a strict law.

The claim that mahamaddim is an adjective is precisely what is being debated. If a Muslim argues it is a proper noun (a name) disguised in a plural form, then the “adjective” rule does not apply.

So let us take a look

Muhammed‘s name in the Tanach would be: Mahamaddim מַחֲּמַדִּ֑ים -someone greatly desired, someone greatly sought and longed for.

Mahamadd-im the im is a plurality of respect for someone of high position and/or status.

Source: (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew-English lexicon https://hebrewcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/BDB.pdf)

So their claim is that this word is a noun. A noun is a reference to a person, a place or a thing.

Source: (Koehler-Baumgartner (HALOT): The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament https://yausha.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/The-Hebrew-and-Aramaic-lexicon-of-the-Old-Testament-study-edition-volume-1.pdf)

Their claim is also that this word is a noun. A noun is a reference to a person, a place or a thing.

“His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” (Song of Solomon 5:16)

This name is a foreign name in Hebrew. Hebrew (with the exception of liturgy) was a dead language for quite some time until Eliezer Ben-Yehuda with the aid of the Arabic language revitalize it.

Arabic preserved the ancient Semitic root system more faithfully than Hebrew, which was dormant for centuries.

Is this name Mahamaddim מַחֲּמַדִּ֑ים connected to any prophecies about a future prophet in the Tanach?

The answer is yes:

“My beloved is white and ruddy, the chief among (מֵרְבָבָֽה)–merebabah- ten thousand.” (Song of Solomon 5:10)

This individual is connected with the coming of 10,000. He is a conqueror. He has a fiery law (The Qur’an) in his right hand.

Notice that the Orthodox Jewish Bible says:

“His mouth is most sweet; yeah he is machamaddim (altogether desirable [see Shir Hashirim 2:3; Chaggai 2:7 says Moshaich is the Desired of All Nations]). This is dodi (my beloved), and this is my friend ,O banot Yerusahylayim. [T.N. The next chapter is commented on extensively beginning at page vii. This section is one of the most important Scriptures in the Bible because it buttresses Isa 7:14 and its foundational meaning.]”

It connects the Song of Solomon passage with Haggai 2:7

“And I will shake all the nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: And I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts.”

Now they (Orthodox Jewish Bible) believes that the Desired of all nations is the Moshaich. We have established that it is Muhamaddim.

Conclusion.

The plural form *-im* can function as an intensive plural (majestic plural) to indicate greatness or high status.
This is precisely how the Orthodox Jewish Bible interprets it: “machamaddim (altogether desirable)” but then connects it to the Messiah.
Therefore, even if it is not a proper name in the grammatical sense, it functions as if it were a title for a specific individual—the “Desired One.”

God’s unconditional promise to Abraham. And the conditional covenant with Isaac

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him A GREAT NATION.” (Genesis 17:20)

How did God keep his promise as stated in Genesis 17:20?

Although some people say that God did indeed bless Ishmael by blessing the Arabs with oil or giving Ishmael’s descendants this or that material good, we must reflect on what it means when God says he will make someone A GREAT NATION.

The Prophet Job comes to mind when we think of this because what was the greatest gift God gave to Job was unwavering faith in him. It was not the double portion of things lost but the confidence of knowing that one can serve God even in the face of great adversity.

A GREAT NATION by God’s definition does not necessitate material wealth and benefit.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Is Ishmael an Illegitimate son?

Sometimes our Jewish and Christian brethren will try and object by claiming Ishmael was illegitimate, although this is not the case.

“And Sarah, Abram’s wife took Hagar, her maid, the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan and gave her to her husband to be his WIFE, (not concubine or mistress!) and he went unto Hagar, and she conceived; And she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.” (Genesis 16:3-4)

“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

We as Muslims in our five daily prayers during the sitting (julus) position on the 2nd rakat or the 4th rakat recite the following:

“Say: ‘O Allah, exalt the mention of Muhammed and the people of Muhammed as you exalted the mention of Ibrahim. And bless Muhammed and the people of Muhammed as You blessed Ibrahim and the people of Ibrahim in all the Worlds.”

Source: (The Reliable Jurisprudence of Prayer (Al -Mu’tamad fi’ Fiqh as-Salah -written by al-Mu’tasim b. Sa’id al-Ma’wali. page 271)

This is very different where the author of the Torah is calling Abraham cursed.

The father of the promise (Abraham) is called cursed for sleeping with his father’s daughter.

For example:

“Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father, though not of my mother, and she became my wife.” (Genesis 20:12)

“Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother. Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” (Deuteronomy 27:22)

THE CONDITIONAL COVENANT WITH ISAAC

Sometimes our Christian & Jewish friends may even tell us that God established his covenant with Isaac.

It is important to keep in mind two things regarding this. One is that Isaac was never the only son, and the second is that the contract or covenant had stipulations attached to it.

“If these ordinances depart from before me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever. Thus, says the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundation of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all they have done, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:36-37)

Now the counter to this is that it means that Israel will never cease to be under a covenant with God. This is not true. The text above is hyperbole. This is proven by the following explicit text. If that covenant was unconditional God would not allow or say the following:

“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.” (Exodus 32:19-20)

“That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against the Lord and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”(Deuteronomy 31:25-29)

“The Lord said to Moses, Tell the Israelites: You are a stiff-necked people. Where I go up in your company even for a moment, I would exterminate you, Take off your ornaments, therefore; I will then see what I am to do with you. So, from Mount Horeb onward the Israelites laid aside their ornaments.” (Exodus 33:5-6)

But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments, if, instead, you reject My statues, and if your soul abhors My ordinances as to not carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, I, in turn, will do this to you: I will appoint over you a sudden terror, consumption and fever that will waste away the eyes and cause the soul to pine away; also you will sow your seed uselessly, for your enemies will eat it up.” (Leviticus 26:14-16)

“For the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the Lord your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.” (Amos 9:8)

“A remnant (very few) of Israel will return, a remnant (very few) of Jacob will return to the Mighty God.” (Isaiah 10:21)

In fact in the New Testament the following is attributed to Jesus:

“Jesus said unto them, did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore, I say, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to A NATION bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: But on whomsoever, it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priest and Pharisees had heard this parable, The perceived that he spoke of them.” (Matthew 21:42-45)

The stone in Mecca is called: Hajar Al Aswad-The Black Stone.

Hajar-Is the name of the Mother of Ishmael-Father of the Arabs.

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him A GREAT NATION.” (Genesis 17:20)

How was the above promise kept in (Genesis 17:20)

Answer:

“Certainly, we have revealed to you a Book which will give you greatness. Do you not then understand?” (Qur’an 21:10)

Alhamdulillah (All praise be to God), the people of the Arabian Peninsula the descendants of Ishmael have received a holy revelation (The Qur’an) commanding them to believe in the one God of Abraham; and has instructed them to live in a righteous and peaceful manner!

So, Muslims believe that God did establish a covenant with Isaac; however, as we can see the children of Israel (all but the remnant) went astray. Now We want to know about the messenger that received this revelation, and is it possible that there is text in the Bible itself that could relate to the advent of such a messenger or be interpreted itself as such?

Tampering of the text of the book of Genesis by idle and jealous hands.

First thing to understand is that that the Jews do not have a monopoly on understanding and interpreting the Tanach. There is another group known as the Samaritans and they have strong charges against the Hebrew Masoretic text. They, the Samaritans also keep the Torah and they have given strong evidence of editorial changes.

Samaritan Torah

Before we proceed further, we need to understand that there are parts of the narrative of the events between Hagar, Sarah, Ishmael, Isaac and Abraham that simply do not add up. In fact if as recommended you saw the article on Genesis chapter 3 that will become abundantly clear.

Isaac was never Abraham’s only son. In fact Ishmael was born before him.

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2)

Christians and Jews have tried to rescue the text by focusing on: “whom you love” by trying to argue that Isaac was the only son whom Abraham loved. There is nothing from the text to substantiate this. In fact quite the opposite.

“And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” (Genesis 17:18)

This is a clear attempt to write Ishmael out of the picture and the promise that God had given unto him.

Some odd and conflicting text in the book of Genesis:

“Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.” (Genesis 16:16)
“Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.” (Genesis 21:5)

“Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away…” (Genesis 21:14)

The NAB footnote reads:

“Placing the child on her back: a reading based on an emendation of the traditional Hebrew text. In the traditional Hebrew text, Abraham put the bread and waterski on Hagar’s back, while her son apparently walked beside her. In this way the traditional Hebrew text harmonies the data of the Priestly source, in which Ishmael would have been at least fourteen years old when Isaac was born; compare 16:16 with 21:5, cf. 17:25. But in the present Eulogist (?) story, Ishmael is obviously a little boy, not much older than Isaac; cf. vv. 15, 18.”

Contradictions in the narrative: What is the reason that Sarah mistreats Hagar and asked her to be sent into the wilderness?

Now this is all told according to the vantage point of Sarai or so we are told to believe. At one point Sarah says that once Hagar realizes her station and standing has changed that perhaps she becomes haughty. Again, nothing from Hagar shows this, it is the perception of Sarai. Yet we are giving a very different story in another chapter. Rather than a pregnant Hagar showing scorn towards Sarai and that being the reason that Hagar is sent away we have a different narrative. In this narrative the reason for Hajar being sent away is that we now have s much older Ishmael

“When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.” (Genesis 16:4-5)

“Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.” (Genesis 16:6)

“The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” (Genesis 21:9-10)

One other point to add concerning this early narrative is the following text:

“And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” So they went both of them together.” (Genesis 22:8)

Christians will see an allusion to Jesus in the statement: “God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” There are a number of problems with this. The whole purpose of Abraham to offer up his son was to show his submission to God, and not as a sin offering. Secondly Jesus was never a holocaust offering. The Christians do not believe that Jesus was given as burnt offering. Finally, as you will hear ussay over and over we can get all this sorted out once we sort out Genesis chapter 3 and the very incorrect and incoherent theology that Christians have in regard to it.

The greatest prophecy in the Torah. Deuteronomy 18:18

“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)

Note: The above-mentioned prophet is not mentioned by name.

“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)

Now it is very clear that neither the name Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) or Mahamad(מַחֲּמַדִּ֑ים) are in the above text.

Christians will give justifications for why this text is a reference to Yehsua (Jesus). We will give justifications for why this text is a reference to Mahamad (Muhammed).

You, the reader, be the judge.

Reasons Why Deuteronomy 18:18 does not refer to Jesus.

#1. If Jesus is God, his words would be his own not put in his mouth.

#2. Moses got married and Jesus did not get married.

#3. Moses had a law -the Torah. Jesus gives no law. Christians teach the law is a curse.

#4. Moses was conceived naturally and Jesus had a miraculous birth.

#5. Moses overcame his enemies and Jesus was handed over to his enemies.

#6. Jesus would not be the literal son of God if he was a prophet like Moses.

#7. Jesus never claimed to be the prophet like unto Moses.

Paul claims that Jesus was not like Moses.

Paul undermines Deuteronomy 18:18 by telling us how Jesus is not like Moses.

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house.For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later;but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” (Hebrews 3:1-6)

This passage is a carefully constructed argument that establishes Jesus’s superiority over Moses, not his similarity. The structure is deliberate and devastating for the claim that Jesus is “like Moses” in the sense required by Deuteronomy 18:18.

Moses was a servant in the house.
Jesus is a Son over the house.
The builder of the house has more honor than the house itself.

The prophecy does not promise someone “greater than Moses”; it promises someone “like Moses.”

The Gospel of John informs us how Jesus is not like Moses.

“Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.(John 6:31-35)

John has Jesus explicitly demote Moses: “It was not Moses who gave you the bread.”
John has Jesus elevate himself: “I am the bread of life.”
The contrast is not “similarity” but “replacement”: Moses provided physical manna; Jesus is the true bread. That is not a “like” relationship; it is a “replacement” relationship.
John has Jesus claim a role Moses never claimed: Moses never called himself the bread of life. That claim is categorically different from being a prophet like Moses.

ACCORDING TO PETER IN ACTS 3:19 DEUTERONOMY 18:18 WAS NOT FULFILLED IN JESUS

Christians say that Jesus fulfilled all these prophecies in the ‘Old Testament‘ yet many of them understand that Jesus did not fulfil what was expected of him. Some say that half of the prophecies still await fulfilment. In fact the great prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:18 has YET TO BE FULFILLED according to the book of Acts.

The Acts 3 Argument: Why Deut. 18:18 Cannot Be “Fully” Fulfilled in Jesus

In Acts 3:19 we read:

“Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out. When the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began (he must stay until this prophecy is fulfilled) for Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me; Him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. (That prophet like unto Moses, Deuteronomy 18:18), And all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE KINDRED OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.”- in reference to (Genesis 21:13)

The ‘time of refreshing’ according to Christians who follow the view of the idea of a Millennial kingdom is that Israel is in a way holding up the train. No repentance =no refreshing…=no 2nd coming of Jesus. In other words Jesus will not return until after repentant Israel acknowledges Him as their Messiah.

This is all ironic considering that many of these Zionist Christians are supportive of Israel and it’s oppression of the Palestinians (both Christian-Muslim). By continuing to support Israel with their hard earned money and putting their allegiance to Israel over their allegiance to their country they ironically continue to bolster Israel and make it haughty and proud. Did the thought ever occur to them that if they abandoned Israel (with money and support) that Israel may find itself broken and therefore have no choice but to to Jesus and repent and accept him as Messiah, which in turn ushers in his reign?

In fact, The New American Bible says the following in its footnote of Acts 3:22:

“A loose citation of DT 18:15 which teaches that the Israelites are to learn the will of Yahweh from only their prophets. At the time of Jesus, some Jews expected a unique prophet to come in fulfilment of this text. Early Christianity applied this tradition and text to Jesus and used them especially in defense of the divergence of Christian teaching from traditional Judaism.”

As we can see according to Deuteronomy 18:18 still awaits fulfilment!

Christians claim Deut. 18:18 (“a prophet like Moses”) is about Jesus.
Peter, in Acts 3:19-24, explicitly quotes Deut. 18:18 and ties it to the “times of refreshing” and the “restitution of all things” events that Peter says are future and will only happen when Jesus returns from heaven.
Therefore, even by Christian admission, the full scope of Deut. 18:18 has not yet been accomplished in Jesus’ first coming.
If the prophecy remains partially unfulfilled, then logically, one of two things must be true:
- Option A: Jesus is the prophet, but he failed to complete the mission in his first coming, so he must come back to finish it (the Christian “two-staged” defense).
- Option B: Jesus is not the prophet described in Deut. 18:18, because the prophecy describes a single figure who completes the entire mission (law-giving, leadership, conquest) in one lifetime—just like Moses did.

If the prophecy required a “second coming” to be completed, then the prophecy was not fulfilled in Jesus’ lifetime. And if it was not fulfilled in his lifetime, why should we believe he is the final Prophet like Moses, rather than a forerunner to someone else who did complete it?

Why the Christian “Two-Staged” Defense Fails The Logical Test

Moses did not need a “second coming” to complete his mission. Moses completed his prophetic role fully. He delivered the law, led the people, and died.
If Jesus is the “Prophet like Moses,” then according to the pattern, he should complete his entire prophetic mission in his lifetime, just as Moses did. He should not need to “return” to finish what he started.
The fact that Jesus must return to fulfill the judgment and restoration aspects of Deut. 18:18 proves that he does not fit the Mosaic pattern of a prophet who completes his mission in one historical lifetime.

This argument is devastatingly simple: If Jesus is the Prophet like Moses, why does he need a second coming to do what Moses did in one lifetime? The very need for a “second coming” is an admission that Jesus did not fulfill the prophecy the first time.

A very important aspect of the prophecy awaits, ‘that all the kindred of the Earth will be blessed ‘. This is not going to happen if during Jesus ‘2nd coming’, he is going to be judge, jury, and executioner.

According to Christians when Jesus returns there will be condemnation and judgment.

This Jesus is portrayed as blood thirsty warmonger who says things like:

“And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and kill them right in front of me.”-Jesus (Luke 19:27)

“He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13)

It is very clear that Christians await a second coming of Jesus because they feel he has unfinished business. However, in Islam there is nothing that Jesus needs to do that was not already accomplished by the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw). Unfortunately the vast majority of Muslims believe that Jesus (as) will return and they believe in these estachological views in a way similar to Christians.

However, in our school and as we have shown. Jesus is dead and he will not return.

The way will the kindred of all the earth be blessed by the seed of Abraham is through his line from Ishmael to the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw) and the message of Islam.

Conclusion.

Therefore, the very need for a second coming is an admission that Jesus did not fulfill Deuteronomy 18:18 in his first coming. The prophecy remains unfulfilled, and Muhammed who completed his mission in one lifetime fits the description perfectly. Rather then the Earth awaiting Jesus who comes in a robe of blood and a sword in hand the kindred of the Earth continue to be blessed by the guidance and teachings of Islam.

According to the New Testament the Jews in the time of Jesus were awaiting 3 distinct individuals.

If what the New Testament says is true concerning Jewish expectations then it represents a sort of collective belief that they had. Presuambly beliefs they inherited from their learned people. In this collective belief the Messiah, Elijah and ‘That Prophet’ are three distinct individuals.

Answer: No!

We read the following: John 1:19-21, 25

“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’ And they asked him, and said to him, ‘Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?'”

Three questions were asked:

1. I am not the Christ.

2. Are you Elias? And he said I am not.

3. Are you That Prophet? And he answered, “No.”

And they asked him, and said unto him, why baptize then if you be not the Christ, nor Elias, neither That Prophet? “

According to those text the Jews were waiting for three distinct persons.

1) They were looking for the Messiah (Christ)

2) They were looking for Elias

3) They were looking for That Prophet (That prophet, notice, is not a personal name.)

We also know that…

1) The Christ (Messiah) became Jesus.

2) That Elias was later revealed to be John the Baptist.

3) However, we are still looking for That Prophet. Which is distinct from the Christ (Messiah)

The Argument in light of the above information.

The Jewish leaders did not believe “The Prophet” and “The Messiah” were the same person. They were expecting two separate figures. This is confirmed by their question: “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” They clearly understood these to be three distinct roles/persons.

Why This Strengthens The Case for Muhammed (saw).

Christians claim Jesus is both the Messiah and “The Prophet” like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18).
However, the Jewish leaders in John’s Gospel, who were experts in the Hebrew Scriptures, they did not equate “The Prophet” with “The Messiah.” They expected two separate figures.
If the original audience of the Hebrew Scriptures understood “The Prophet” of Deuteronomy 18:18 to be a distinct figure from the Messiah, then the Christian claim that Jesus fulfilled both roles is an interpretive innovation, not a straightforward reading of the text.

The Christian Gospels themselves are the source of this information. This is not a Muslim claim about what Jews believed; it is a New Testament claim about what the Jews were expecting. It is for the Christian to reflect if the New Testament represented the Jewish position correctly.

Conclusion: “The Prophet” of Deuteronomy 18:18 remains unfulfilled in Jesus. The Jewish leaders were right to expect a distinct figure, a prophet like Moses who would come and deliver a new law, lead a people, and establish a nation. That prophet was Muhammed.

To us, we believe that if Jew or a Christian with a sincere heart were to read a Seerah (a history of the life of the Blessed Prophet Muhammed) they would see clearly where the Prophet Muhammed (saw) was foretold in the Old Testament.

As concerning Christ Jesus as a Muslim the Qur’an validates our belief in him. If we had only the data of the New Testament to validate our belief that Christ Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament that belief would be completely shattered.

The New Testament records a very difficult and strange interaction between prophet Jesus and prophet John.

“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.” (Luke 1:15)

“After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:1-5)

There are lots of issues with this:

John is a Prophet. He is filled with the Holy Spirit (even before he is born). Why does the Holy Spirit not know who Jesus is? How can a Prophet from God not recognizes another Prophet from God?

2. Why does Jesus inform John about things he (John) already heard? It is like this: John was informed Jesus performed a light show. So John wants to know if Jesus is a Prophet of God. So Jesus says, ‘Tell him I preformed a light show’. Isn’t John already aware of this?

“When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah.”

“Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

Basically go back and inform John about things John is already informed about! What?

3. Why does Jesus give information to John that could also be true of a false messiah?

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24)

How does Jesus feel that this information would be convincing to John?

Jesus is essentially saying to John: “I am the Messiah because I perform miracles.” But Jesus also warns that false messiahs will perform miracles. Therefore, miracles are not a reliable test of prophetic authenticity. John, being a prophet, should have known this. Why would Jesus offer a test that even Jesus himself says is unreliable?

It is very obvious that much to keen eyes that much of the information in the New Testament is convoluted.

Addressing the single biggest objection to Deuteronomy 18:18 being a reference to Muhammed (saw).

The objection is that Muhammed (saw) cannot be a prophet like Moses because the text says: “from among their brothers.” They take that to mean that Muhammed (saw) has to be an Israelite.

How do Torah believing Jews translate the text?

“I will set up a prophet for them from among their brothers like you, and I will put My words into his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him.”

Source: (https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9982)

However, notice the deception in some Christian translations.

“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.”

Source: (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2018%3A18&version=NIV)

The NIV inserts “fellow Israelites” to force an ethnic interpretation that is not present in the Hebrew text. This is a clear example of translational bias, where the translator’s theological presuppositions override the literal meaning of the text.

Where is the word Israelites at in the Hebrew?

https://biblehub.com/interlinear/deuteronomy/18-18.htm

The fact that “brethren” can mean non-Israelites in other contexts means it could mean non-Israelites in Deuteroromy 18:18.

There is a clear contradistinction between children of Israel and brethren.

The Hebrew phrase miqirbəkha literally means “from your midst” or “from within your proximity.”

In Deuteronomy 17:15, the same phrase is used: “you may indeed set over you a king whom the LORD your God will choose. One from among your brethren (miqirbəkha me’akhekha) you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.”

In Deuteronomy 17:15, the “from among your brethren” clearly means ethnic Israel because the verse explicitly excludes a foreigner. But in Deuteronomy 18:18, there is no such exclusion. The text simply says “from among you” without specifying ethnic boundaries. If there was a large Jewish community in Medina at the time of Muhammed (as there historically was), then Muhammed could be said to have come “from among” the people of Israel. Not as an Israelite himself, but from within their midst geographically and socially.

“Brethren” can include non-Israelites.

“Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41)

This establishes that “brother” can refer to a non-Israelite descendant of Abraham (Edomites are not Israelites.

“So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are (achim) brothers.” (Genesis 13:8)

Lot is Abraham’s nephew, not his brother, and the Moabites and Ammonites (Lot’s descendants) are non-Israelite nations.

Notice the deception with the NIV translation.

“So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.” (Genesis 13:8 NIV)

Soure: (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2013%3A8&version=NIV)

“Do not detest an Edomite, because he is your brother.” (Deuteronomy 23:7)

This is a direct command to consider an Edomite (a non-Israelite, descendant of Esau) as a brother.

Therefore, when Deuteronomy 18:18 says God will raise up a prophet from “among your brethren,” it cannot automatically mean “an Israelite.” The Torah itself defines “brethren” in a way that includes at least one non-Israelite group (Edomites).

If Edomites are brethren, then Ishmaelites (descendants of Abraham’s firstborn son) are even more obviously brethren.

“Brethren” (aḥim) is not synonymous with “children of Israel”.

“And they shall bring all your brethren (aḥeichem) for an offering unto the Lord out of all the nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, as the children of Israel (bənei yisra’el) bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” (Isaiah 66:20)

The Distinction:

“Your brethren” (aḥeichem) = The group being brought from the nations.
“The children of Israel” (bənei yisra’el) = The group making the offering.

The “brethren” are not the same as “the children of Israel.” They are being brought to the children of Israel. If they were the same group, the text would be redundant: “They shall bring all the children of Israel as the children of Israel bring an offering.” That makes no sense. The distinction is clear: the “brethren” are a separate group from the children of Israel.

Here the difference between Children of Israel and brethren is shown.

“But over your brethren the children of Israel (aḥeihem bənei yisra’el), you shall not rule one over another with rigor.” (Leviticus 25:46)

The Distinction:

“Your brethren” (aḥeihem) = The broader kinship group.
“The children of Israel” (bənei yisra’el) = The specific ethnic/national group.

The text defines “your brethren” more specifically as “the children of Israel” in this context. But notice: it does not say “your brethren are the children of Israel” as a general rule. It says “your brethren the children of Israel” in this specific context. The fact that the phrase needs to be specified shows that “brethren” is not automatically synonymous with “children of Israel.” If it were, the specification would be unnecessary.

Conclusion.

The immediate context does not explicitly define “brethren.” It assumes it.
Even if the context suggests Israelites, the word “brethren” itself is broader. The text does not say “children of Israel.”
If the text meant “children of Israel,” it would have said so. The fact that it chose “brethren” leaves the door open.

So, in light of this, the Deuteronomy 18:18 passage would have said Children of Israel and not Brethren.

This is why the deception with the NIV was so deceptive in it’s translation.

Final thoughts.

We ask the sincere reader: If Christians can see Jesus in passages that do not mention his name and that, when read in context, clearly refer to something else then is it not reasonable for Muslims to see Muhammed (saw) in passages that describe a prophet like Moses? We have shown that Deuteronomy 18:18 does not exclude a non-Israelite prophet, that the New Testament itself records Jewish expectations of a distinct ‘Prophet,’ and that Jesus himself by Christian admission has not yet fulfilled the full scope of the prophecy. The one who completed the Mosaic pattern in a single lifetime was Muhammed (saw).

Christians apply an inconsistent hermeneutic to the Old Testament. They read Jesus into passages where his name does not appear (Psalm 22) while ignoring passages that damage their theology (Psalm 51). They accuse Muslims of reading Muhammed (saw) into the text while doing the same thing themselves. They insert “fellow Israelites” into Deuteronomy 18:18 when the Hebrew says “brethren.” They claim Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of the prophet like Moses while admitting he must return to finish the job.

The Islamic alternative is compelling: Deuteronomy 18:18 describes a prophet like Moses who completes his mission in one lifetime. He brings law, leadership, conquest, and natural death. That prophet is Muhammed. The reader is invited to reflect on this with an open heart.

You may also be interested in the following:

Ahmad predicted by Jesus. An honest inquiry.

Genesis chapter 3 separates Islam and Christianity.

The Way of Life that existed before Christianity and Judaism.

The Mercy, Love and Forgiveness of Allah

May Allah Guide the Ummah.

May Allah Forgive the Ummah.

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Tagged as allah, gospel, hermeneutic, injeel, injil, Islam, jesus, metonymy, muhammed, prophecy, quran, taurat, torah

October 4, 2025 · 10:13 am

Why is the Injeel from Greek?

“Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?” (Qur’an 47:24)

﷽

To be sure, the Qur’an itself does not especially tell us why this particular word, which is etymologically Greek, is used. It is one of many loan words in the Qur’an that have become part of the Arabic language.

However, we do have this verse:

“Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon their hearts?” (Qur’an 47:24)

This verse, as well as others like it, encourage Muslims to reflect upon the Qur’an. As the word Injeel is part of the Qur’an, we may reflect upon it as well.

First it is interesting that the Qur’an mentions the word injeel 12 times.

Christian scripture and tradition tell us that Jesus (as) had 12 disciples.

So it would be good to start first with what the Qur’an says about this Injeel.

What is the information supplied about the Injeel in the Qur’an?

“O People of the Scripture, why do you argue about Ibrahim while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Then will you not reason?” (Qur’an 3:65)

Here nothing of the content of the Injeel or its nature is revealed.
Only that it (The Injeel), like the Torah, came after Ibrahim.

Thus, Muslims would not accept the following from the Christians.

Galatians 3:8 Gospel unto Ibrahim?

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Galatians 3:8)

The Qur’an is clear that the Injeel is something that was revealed after Ibrahim and not to him.

“He has sent down upon you,, the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.” (Qur’an 3:3)

Allah revealed the Injeel.

“And Allah will teach him writing and wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel.” (Qur’an 3:48)

That Allah (swt) will teach Jesus (as) the Injeel. It is noteworthy that it says that Allah (swt) will teach Jesus (as) the Torah. Now this verse can be argued in two ways.

The Torah is not intact. If it was, Allah (swt) would not need to teach it to him as the Rabbis could do this.
The Torah is indeed intact, but Allah is going to teach Jesus (as) the Torah via the Rabbis.
Allah (swt) will teach Jesus (as) the truth about what is the Torah and what is not the Torah.

“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus , the son of Mary, having authority over the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and having authority over that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.” (Qur’an 5:46)

Here we are supplied with more information about the Injeel.

It contained guidance and light.
It had authority over that which preceded it of the Torah.
It contained instruction and guidance for the righteous.

We know that what was given to Jesus (as) was authority over the Torah because Allah (swt) revealed in the Qur’an:

“And having authority over the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me.” (Qur’an 3:50)

“And let the People of the Gospel(ahlu l’injili) 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.” (Qur’an 5:47)

The People of the Gospel are to judge by what Allah has revealed therein.

Now when it says the People of The Gospel (ahlu l’injili)

It is understood that this is not the common people are not to judge by the Gospel for a number of reasons:

The average Joe at that time was illiterate, and they were people who put their trust in who/what?

“Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 5:44)

They put their trust in their scholars to derive the truths and evidence for them. In much the same way that Muslims put their trust in their scholars to derive the truths and evidence for them.

2. Also, this was way before the printing press, and it is obvious that people did not walk around with complete manuscripts and the whole text of their sacred writings. This is a point forgotten too easily.

3. Note that the verse says: What Allah has revealed therein. This presents a caveat much like the du’a of Ibrahim:

“And remember that Ibrahim was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said: “I will make thee an Imam to the Nations.” He pleaded: “And also (Imams) from my offspring!” He answered: “But My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers.” (Qur’an 2:124)

If the Gospel (Injeel) was in pristine the verse could have simply stated: “And let the Christians judge by the Gospel.” Yet it is drawling attention to People of the Gospel. (ahlu l’injili) to judge by what Allah has revealed therein.

“And if only they upheld the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord, they would have consumed [provision] from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them are a moderate community, but many of them-evil is that which they do.” (Qur’an 5:66)

The verse only tells us that they—the People of the Gospel—did not uphold the Injeel.
If the Injeel was sufficient, the verse would not say uphold the Injeel and “what has been revealed to them from their Lord.”

“Say, “O People of the Scripture, you are upon nothing until you uphold the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people.” (Qur’an 5:68)

We are told here the Injeel has been revealed by the Lord.
We are told that if the Injeel is not sufficient because one must stand upon all that has been revealed by the Lord.

” When Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, “This is not but obvious magic.” (Qur’an 5:110)

Here Allah (swt) mentions that he taught Jesus (as) the Injeel.

” Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find mentioned in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful.” (Qur’an 7:157)

This Injeel that they have has information about the unlettered Prophet (saw).

*note* The Arabic word ‘maktub’ does not necessarily mean written.

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed (kutiba) to you as it was prescribed (kutiba) to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.” (Qur’an 2: 183)

This is similar to the following:

“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45)

There is no mention of the name Jesus in the Law of Moses nor in the Prophets.

“For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.” (Acts 18:28)

This individual was able to prove from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah without having to find the name Jesus in the scriptures (TNCH).

“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.” (John 5:46-47)

Moses (as) did not write the name Jesus a single time anywhere in the first books of the Bible, which Christians call the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah.

All the information that Christians derive about Jesus from the TNCH or Old Testament is via the process of analytical deduction.

Analytical deduction being: A deduction is information that we can determine whether is true or false based on other related pieces of information.

“Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah , so they kill and are killed. A true promise upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah ? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.” (Qur’an 9: 111)

The Injeel contains teachings about martyrdom. Fighting in the cause of Allah.

” Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating in prayer, seeking bounty from Allah and pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.” (Qur’an 48:29)

That the Injeel should at the very least contain the following information:

“A plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers.”

In other words that the Injeel that Jesus (as) brought would contain at the very least this parable.

“Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allah. But they did not observe it with due observance. So We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are defiantly disobedient.” (Qur’an 57:27)

The verse above says that Jesus (as) was given the Injeel.

So these are all the relevant verses concerning the mention of the word Injeel.

So what does the word Injeel mean in Greek if it is a loan word from that language?

Why would that be important?

In trying to understand their sources, the Christian academics rely primarily upon Greek manuscripts to support their claims of preservation of the text.

We are often told that the word Gospel is to be translated as ‘Good News’ or ‘The Good News’.

However, there seems to be some obfuscation as to what the εὐαγγέλιον actually means.

εὐαγγέλιον is very legible Greek for εὐ άγγελος which actually means good angel. Or of a Good Angel.

εὐ -good, well.

https://biblehub.com/greek/2095.htm

ἄγγελος- angel, messenger

https://biblehub.com/greek/32.htm

Now this is very fascinating because it tells us as Muslims what Jesus (as) received from the Angel of Revelation. This is huge evidence that Jesus (as) is not God incarnate because the message/revelation would precede from himself!

If there are good angels, are there bad angels?

According to the sacred text of the Christians, Paul, one of their chief architects, claims he was hindered by an angel from Satan.

“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud(hyperairōmai), I was given a thorn in my flesh, a (ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ) an angel from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.” (2 Corinthians 12:7)

ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ (The Injeel of Satan) (Angel of Satan) (Gospel of Satan)

A form of this word that Paul used of himself as becoming very haughty is also used of the Anti-Christ in the following text.

“He will oppose and will exalt himself (hyperairomenos) over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

Anti in Greek actually means: In place of. It does not mean against.

Is there internal evidence with in the sacred sources of the Christians that claim there are different Injeels?

There are indeed Christians whom were alleging that those concurrent to their times were teaching things that were from negative angels? There is internal evidence stating that different angels from heaven could be giving us competing/conflicting Injeels!

“For if he that comes preach another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another (εὐαγγέλιον) gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.” (2 Corinthians 11:4)

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another(εὐαγγέλιον) gospel.” (Galatians 1:6)

“But though we, or an angel (ἄγγελος) from heaven, preach any other gospel (εὐαγγελίζηται) unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel (εὐαγγελίζεται) unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9)

Question: What if God wanted to send an angel from heaven to teach something contrary to what Paul is teaching?

Answer: Paul says let that angel be accursed!

Prima Qur’an comments: This Paul is not educated about the angel of revelation. The angel of revelation is none other than Gabriel (as).

“Say, “Whoever is an enemy of Gabriel should know that he revealed this to your heart by Allah’s Will, confirming what came before it—a guide and good news for the believers.” Whoever is an enemy of Allah, His angels, His messengers, Gabriel, and Michael, then Allah is certainly the enemy of the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 2:97-98)

“Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?” (Qur’an 47:24)

So, by using this word Injeel, we believe that Allah (swt) wants to reflect on the use of this word to describe what it is that Jesus (as) was given from Allah.

By reflecting upon the etymological origin, we likewise reflect upon the obfuscation surrounding the word εὐαγγέλιον in Greek.

Again reflect upon what was said earlier:

“Now this is very fascinating because it tells us as Muslims that which Jesus (as) received from the Angel of Revelation.”

However, now rather than Jesus (as) receiving revelation from an angel. The book called: ‘Revelation’ in English now makes Jesus (as) the one sending angels!

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel (ἀγγέλου) to his servant John.” (Revelation 1:1)

The 7 lost letters to the Churches apparently authorized by Jesus to the angels?

For example: In one letter supposedly commissioned by Jesus, it states how Jesus tells various Christian Churches how they have fallen.

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:5-7)

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” (Revelations: 2:14-15)

Jesus apparently reprimands one Christian Church for following a false prophet.

” Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:20)

May Allah Guide the Christians to the truth so that they do not burn in hellfire.

The Islamic Dilemma. Let the People of The Gospel Judge.

“With the clear proofs and the Zabur. And We sent down to YOU (l-dhik’ra) the Remembrance, that YOU may make clear to the people, what has been sent down to them and that they may reflect.” (Qur’an 16:44)

And let the People of the Gospel (ahlu l-injili) 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.” (Qur’an 5:47)

“Have you not turned Your vision to those who have been given a (nasiban) portion of the (l-kitabi) Book? They are invited to the (kitabi l-lahi) Book of Allah, to settle their dispute, but a party of them Turn back and decline.” (Qur’an 3:23)

﷽

This is a Christian polemic directed towards the Qur’an and Islam in general. The gist of the argument rests on two points.

The Qur’an tells the people of the Gospel to judge by what Allah has revealed therein, with the assumption being that the Qur’an confirms what Christians claim that Gospel is.
If the People of the Gospel do not even know what that entails, how can they judge by what Allah has revealed therein?

Several hasty conclusions are then reached.

The Gospel mentioned in the Qur’an is equal to one of the competing New Testament canons.
The Qur’an does something that Christians themselves are unable to do. Namely: The Qur’an settles the canon of the New Testament.

Alas, what the academics, historians and orientalists have discussed on the matter is rather blithe.

For example, we have not seen any academic, historian or orientalist even attempt to engage with the following questions in any meaningful way.

What might it mean for the Qur’an to tell a people that are primarily illiterate, to ‘judge by what Allah has revealed there’?

Taking for granted that today Christians go door to door, with a particular New Testament canon in possession, what might it mean for the Qur’an to tell a people who did not have in their possession personal copies of manuscripts to judge by what Allah has revealed?

Even if we assumed that the ‘People of the Gospel’ were all literate and had some type of canon in their possession, their approach was not to go directly to the text. For many Christians of that time, they believed it was the Church that guided, and not the text.

Even if we assumed that the ‘People of the Gospel’ were all literate, and they had some type of canon in their possession, why is it assumed they were all polyglots? Meaning, that they themselves would even understand the language of the particular text?

This is why we have not been amused by the scholarship on this issue. It surprisingly does not engage with key points.

So let us flesh out these points.

The first point. The vast majority of people were unlettered. A polite way of saying illiterate.

“Among them are unlettered (ummiyuna) folk who know (l-kitaba)the book not except from hearsay. They but guess.” (Qur’an 2:78)

“It is He who has sent among the unlettered (l-umiyina) a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book (l-kitaba)and wisdom – although they were before in clear error .” (Qur’an 62:2)

You are not going to find among the beliefs of the Muslims any notion that the Blessed Prophet (saw) himself, being unlettered, is now teaching unlettered people how to read and write a book.

“Among them are unlettered (ummiyuna) folk who know (l-kitaba)the book not except from hearsay. They but guess.” (Qur’an 2:78)

How might the following verse in Qur’an 5:47 engage illiterate people in any meaningful way?

The second point.

Today we take for granted that we can go to a hotel and, more often than not, find the Gideon’s Bible in the top drawer next to the bed. Missionaries knock on your door, and surprise, surprise, they have in their hands an entire biblical canon! Something the vast majority of Christians that have lived on this planet in the past have never held in their hands even once!

Let us repeat this astonishing fact! The vast majority of Christians on this planet in the past never held a biblical canon in their hands, not even once!

When did paper reach the Muslim world? How many sheep had to be slaughtered to obtain their shoulder blades to copy down parchments to compile books was a huge project.

The Gutenberg Bible

In Mainz, Germany, in the mid-1450s, Johann Gutenberg and his partner Johann Fust published more than 150 large-format copies of the Bible in Latin. This is the book known today as the Gutenberg Bible. That was in the 1450s, and there were 150 copies.

Up until that point, imagine all the Christian souls scattered throughout the Earth; they lived and died without once having or holding an individual Bible in their possession. Hopefully, some Christians will be more appreciative of this fact.

In fact, Christians, if anything, would have religious relics or crosses. That did not rely upon the Bible to receive their guidance. They relied upon their respective church, whether it was the Latin Roman Catholic or any competing denomination between Oriental or Eastern Orthodox Churches, Syriac, and so forth. The Church, and not scripture, was the source of guidance and inspiration for the average Christian.

So knowing that having in one’s personal possession the New Testament canon is a very recent phenomenon, how might the following verse engage them in any meaningful way?

How might the following verse in Qur’an 5:47 engage people not in possession of any manuscripts in a meaningful way?

Third point. Let us take a trip down fantasy land for a moment. A complete hypothetical.

Even if the ‘People of the Gospel’ were 100% lettered, literate, and let us assume that each of them even had (any one of many competing) New Testament canons in their possession, they still would not go directly to the text.

Because, as we said before, and we will say again: The Church, and not scripture, was the source of guidance and inspiration for the average Christian.

This idea of approaching the text directly is a very modern Protestant-fueled approach. Fueled in part by translating one of the (many competing) New Testament canons into the vernacular of local people.

“Indeed, We revealed the taurat (l-tawrāta), containing guidance and light, by which the prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah, made judgments for Jews. So too did the rabbis and scholars judge according to (kitabi l-lahi) the Book of Allah, with which they were entrusted and of which they were made keepers. So do not fear the people; fear Me! Nor trade my revelations for a fleeting gain. And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 5:44)

Prophets Judged. After the Prophet’s death, people are judged by the rabbis and authorities of their respective faiths. We see the same in the Qur’an in regard to Islam itself. Albeit here something novel is introduced due to the nature of the Qur’an.

“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in the result.” (Qur’an 4:59)

Here the idea is introduced that the believers, if they differ with the people in authority over them, are to take it back to Allah (the revelation of the Qur’an) and the Prophet (his transmitted Sunnah).

Why is this? Because this is a faith in which its sources are being made publicly available and accessible to all! We will come back to this very important point.

How might the following verse in Qur’an 5:47 engage people who are reliant upon a scholastic class or clergy to guide them? In fact, which “People of the Gospel” are even being addressed?

Fourth point. Even if the ‘People of the Gospel’ were 100% lettered, literate, and let us assume that each of them even had (any one of many competing) New Testament canons in their possession. Why assume they could read the particular language of the documents in their possession?

Depending on the type of Christian community, they spoke an array of languages, such as: Coptic, Aramaic, Greek, Amharic, Ge’ez, Sabaean.

So, even if we were to suspend belief and go out on a far-reaching limb and assert a 100% literacy rate, and 100% possession of some type of canon, why is it assumed that the document in their possession would be in a language that everyone else could access?

Our response effectively dismantles the ‘Islamic Dilemma’ by arguing that the polemic commits several historical and contextual errors:

Anachronism: It projects modern realities (universal literacy, personal ownership of Bibles, Protestant sola scriptura) onto 7th-century Christian communities.

Ignorance of Historical Context: It fails to consider the oral, communal, and clerical nature of religious authority in most historical Christian traditions.

We have established three key points.

Illiteracy and Lack of Access to Texts
We have correctly noted that the vast majority of people in the 7th century, including Christians, were illiterate (“ummi”). They did not have personal copies of scriptures. Religious knowledge was mediated through clergy, oral tradition, and liturgical practice. The Qur’anic command to “judge by what is within it” is not a command for every individual Christian to personally read a codex but a directive to their religious leaders (rabbis, priests, scholars) to make assessments on the data available to them. This is parallel to the command for Jews to judge by the Torah (5:43) and for Muslims to obey Allah and the Messenger (4:59).

Religious Authority: Church vs. Text
We astutely observed that for most historical Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental), religious authority resided in the Church and its tradition, not in a personally accessible text. The idea of individuals judging directly by scripture is a Protestant innovation. The Qur’anic command is thus aimed at the religious authorities (“rabbaniyyun” and “ahbar”) who were entrusted with preserving and teaching the revelation (5:44). Their failure to do so is a central Qur’anic critique (5:63, 9:31, 9:34).

Linguistic Barriers
Even if a Christian community possessed scriptures, they were often in languages (Greek, Syriac, Coptic) not understood by the laity. The Qur’an, in contrast, was revealed in the vernacular Arabic of its audience and was memorized and transmitted orally, making it immediately accessible to all, literate or not.

Elaboration upon the first point.

The example of the Blessed Prophet (saw).

“If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, then ask those who are (yaqrauna l-kitaba (reading the Book). “The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt it.” (Qur’an 10:94)

If you doubt what is revealed to you (the context indicates what has been revealed about Moses), then ask (which is not him reading a text but consulting those who claim to have a revealed revelation)
The Prophet (saw) was not in doubt, as Allah (swt) says: “The Truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt.”

Say, “Have you considered if the Qur’an was from Allah, and you disbelieved it while a witness from the Children of Israel has testified to something similar and believed that you were arrogant… ?” Indeed, Allah does not guide people who are constant in wrongdoing.“ (Qur’an 46:10)

“We did not send before you except mere men inspired by Us. So ask the (ahla l-dhik’ri) people of the reminder if you do not know.” (Qur’an 16:43)

“And We sent no messenger before you, but that they were men unto whom We revealed. So ask the people of the Reminder (ahla l-dhik’ri), if you know not.” (Qur’an 21:7)

Prima Qur’an comments: As we can see, the Blessed Prophet (saw) was informed to ask not to read.

So what is being said is to go and ask for a person to weigh the arguments not as much as examine textual evidence. Something the vast majority would not have access to any way.(textual evidence)

The question is: how many are in a similar situation?

Again, people who do not read and write?

Let us take a moment to ask a few more questions.

How would a Muslim or a Christian convey the message of their faith to a person who could not read, not because they were illiterate, but because they were physically blind?
How would a Muslim or a Christian convey the message of their faith to a person who was physically deaf?

Some insightful statements in the Qur’an in regard to the Jewish and Christian communities.

A) The Qur’an acknowledges schisms and sectarianism among the Jewish and Christian communities.

B) The Qur’an acknowledges that the Christians forgot a portion of what they were reminded of. This is a reference to the oral transmission of the Injeel (Gospel), as their community was given no other reminder but that.

“And the Jews say, “The hand of Allah is chained.” Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. And We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. ” (Qur’an 5:64)

“And from those who say, “We are Christians” We took their covenant; but they forgot (fanasu) a portion of that of which they were reminded (dhukkiru). So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. And Allah is going to inform them about what they used to do.” (Qur’an 5:14)

C) The Qur’an charges oral corruption of the previous revelation.

“So for their breaking of the covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts hard. They distort (yuḥarrifūna) words upon delivery (mawāḍiʿihi) and have forgotten(wanasu) a portion of that of which they were (dhukkiru) reminded. And you will still observe deceit among them, except a few of them. But pardon them and overlook [their misdeeds]. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” (Qur’an 5:13)

“Have you any hope that they will be true to you when a party of them used to listen(yasma’una) to the word of Allah, then used to (yuharrifunahu)change it, after they had understood(‘aqaluhu) it, knowingly.” (Qur’an 2:75)

This verse is quite explicit in the damnation of these people. That they actually would listen to the words of Allah (auditory hearing), they understood it, confirmed it and knowingly changed it -during the oral transmission process!

Received the revelation from Allah.
Understood it.
Knowingly distorted it–during the oral transmission process.

Notice in the above text (Qur’an 5:13 & 5:14) were reminded (dhukkiru)–past tense.

Whereas the Qur’an:

“Surely We have revealed the Reminder (l-dhik’ra) and We will most surely be its (lahafizuna) guardian.”

Whereas it has to be remembered that these (ahla l-dhik’ri) -people of the reminder “have forgotten(wanasu) a portion of that of which they were (dhukkiru) reminded.” (Qur’an 5:13)

Analyzing (Qur’an 5:63-68)

“Why do their rabbis and (ahbaru)scholars not forbid them from saying what is sinful and consuming what is unlawful? Evil indeed is their inaction! The Jews said, “Allah’s hands are tied.” May their fists be tied, and they be condemned for what they said. Rather, He is open-handed, giving freely as He pleases. That which has been revealed to you from your Lord will only cause many of them to increase in wickedness and disbelief. We have stirred among them hostility and hatred until the Day of Judgment. Whenever they kindle the fire of war, Allah puts it out. And they strive to spread corruption in the land. And Allah does not like corruptors. Had the People of the Book only been faithful and mindful, We would have certainly absolved them of their sins and admitted them into the Gardens of Bliss. And had they observed the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord, they would have been overwhelmed with provisions from above and below. Some among them are upright, yet many do nothing but evil. O Messenger! Convey everything revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not, then you have not delivered His message. Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide people who disbelieve. Say, “O People of the Book! You have nothing to stand on unless you observe the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” And your Lord’s revelation to you will only cause many of them to increase in wickedness and disbelief. So do not grieve for the people who disbelieve.” (Qur’an 5:63-68)

The Rabbis and learned people do not forbid them from saying what is sinful and consuming what is unlawful.
The People of the Book are not faithful and mindful.
The People of the Book do not observe the Torah and the Gospel and what has been revealed to them from their Lord.
The People of the Book do not stand upon anything until they observe the Torah, the Gospel and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.

You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious. They can never inflict harm on you, except a little annoyance. But if they meet you in battle, they will flee and they will have no helpers. They will be stricken with disgrace wherever they go, unless they are protected by a covenant with Allah or a treaty with the people. They have invited the displeasure of Allah and have been branded with misery for rejecting Allah’s revelations and murdering prophets unjustly. This is because of their disobedience and violations. Yet they are not all alike: there are some among the People of the Book who are upright, who recite Allah’s revelations throughout the night in prostration. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, encourage good and forbid evil, and race with one another in doing good. They are ˹truly˺ among the righteous.” (Qur’an 3:110-114)

Muslims are the best community for humankind. No need to follow another community.
Most of the People of the Book are rebellious.
The People of the Book earn Allah’s displeasure for rejecting his revelations and murdering the Prophets.
Point 3 points to the People of the Book in the above context, as being the Children of Israel or the Jews.
Among the People of the Book (in this context the Children of Israel) are the upright.
They recite/recall/remember Allah’s ayats (rather, revelations, or miracles) throughout the night while in prostration.

Point 3 is interesting because it shows the particular people of the book here cannot be Christians. The Christians had two Prophets. Their prophets were Jesus and John. It is not said that Christians murdered their Prophets.

Point 6 is interesting because it points to the practice of these particular Jews (Children of Israel) making prostrations in their prayer.

This is common among Yemeni Jews as well as Karaties. Their name comes from the Hebrew word qara ‘to read’.

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/belief/articles/the-jews-youve-never-heard-of

The Qur’an has identified the Torah as Dhikr.

“And verily we have written in the Zabur, after the Reminder (l-dhik’ri): My righteous slaves will inherit the earth.” (Qur’an 21:105)

“We did not send before you except mere men inspired by Us. So ask the (ahla l-dhik’ri) people of the reminder if you do not know.” (Qur’an 16:43)

“With the clear proofs and the Zabur. And We sent down to YOU (l-dhik’ra) the Remembrance, that YOU may make clear to the people, what has been sent down to them and that they may reflect.” (Qur’an 16:44)

If what was with them had provided clarity, they would not need it clarified by the Blessed Prophet (saw).

If the Qur’an itself is in need of an expositor, and an interpreter, what makes one think that the Torah, the Zabur, or the Injeel would not need one? That they are standalone texts? Not even the traditional Jews or the traditional Christians believe this!

In fact, not until the rise of Protestantism, (and in part due to direct access to translations and a rise in literacy rates), did Christians even think it feasible to even approach the text directly.

One of the myriad of problems that Latin Roman Catholics, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox Christians, point out concerning the Protestant tradition is the doctrine of perspicuity. A doctrine also known as the doctrine of clarity.

Interestingly enough, it is this very issue that Muslims have with the Hafs Only Qur’an Religion, which claims each individual can approach the Qur’an directly.

“And obey Allah and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, then Our Messenger is responsible only for conveying the message (l-balaghu) clearly (l-mubina). (Quran 64:12)

“But if you turn away [Prophet], remember that you are only conveying this message clearly.” (Qur’an 16:82)

So the point stands. If the Qur’an itself is in need of an expositor and an interpreter, what makes one think that the Torah, the Zabur or the Injeel would not need one?

“The Jews say, “The Christians have nothing to stand on,” and the Christians say, “The Jews have nothing to stand on.'” Although they (yatluna l-kitaba (recite the book)) recite the Scripture. The ignorant ones say the same thing. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.” (Qur’an 2:113)

The group of Christians in the above text are very likely to be the sect of Marcion. The sect of Marcion is the one most likely to the Jews that ‘they have nothing to stand upon.‘

Marcion developed the first Christian New Testament canon, consisting of 11 books. Many believe that Marcion is the source for what is now called ‘The Gospel according to Luke.’.

That being said, when we look at the above text (Qur’an 2:113), it makes absolute sense for the Jews to say that the Christians do not stand on anything. This is given that Christian tradition has had to distort and deliberately alter Hebrew scriptures to justify many of its proof texts. Whereas it is difficult for Christians to say that the Jews stand on nothing, given that most Christians acknowledge a shared canon with the Jews. The exception here is the followers of Marcion.

In reality Jewish and Christian lay people do not go directly to their revelations.

Because a great many of them are illiterate.
Many of them simply did not have access to their sacred writings to begin with.
Those that could read or had access to some manuscripts may not have understood the language of the source material.

D) The Qur’an speaks about the learned people of the Jews and Christians.

“Why do the rabbis (l-rabaniyuna) and religious scholars (ahbaru) not forbid them from saying what is sinful and devouring what is unlawful? How wretched is what they have been practicing.” (Qur’an 5:63)

“They have taken their scholars (ahbarahum) and (warhu’banahum) monks as lords besides Allah , and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one Allah; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.” (Qur’an 9:31)

“O you who have believed, indeed, many of the scholars (ahbari) and the monks (walruh’bani) devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah – give them tidings of a painful punishment.” (Qur’an 9:34)

“You will surely find the most bitter towards the believers to be the Jews and polytheists and the most gracious to be those who call themselves Christian. That is because there are (qissisina) priests and monks (waruh’banam) among them and because they are not arrogant. When they listen to what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears by recognizing the truth. They say, “Our Lord! We believe, so count us among the witnesses.” (Qur’an 5:82-83)

The crucial verses.

“Indeed, We revealed the Torah, containing guidance and light, by which the prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah, made judgments for Jews. So too did the rabbis (rabaniyuna) and scholars (ahbaru) judge according to (kitabi l-lahi) the Book of Allah, with which they were entrusted and of which they were made keepers. So do not fear the people; fear Me! Nor trade my revelations for a fleeting gain. And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 5:44)

From the above we understand that the Prophets judged by the Torah.

The rabbis and learned people also judged according to the book of Allah.

“But why do they come to you for judgment when they have the Torah containing Allah’s judgment, then they turn away after all? They are not believers.” (Qur’an 5:43)

What are the Jews being told to judge by?

The Jewish people are told to judge by the book of Allah (in this case, the Torah)

There is no internal evidence to suggest the people of the Torah are the laity.
This is not a command for the laity to directly approach the text. That is because they turn to their learned people.

Allah (swt) has told us concerning their learned people the following:

a) They devour the wealth of people unjustly.

b) They do not forbid saying what is sinful

c) Devouring the unlawful.

What are the People of the Gospel being told to judge by?

“Then in the footsteps of the prophets, We sent Jesus, son of Mary, having authority over the Torah revealed before him. And We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light and having authority over the Torah—a guide and a lesson to those who fear Allah.” And let the People of the Gospel (ahlu l-injili) 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.” (Qur’an 5:46-47)

Let us establish a few key points from the above text.

There is no internal evidence to suggest the people of the Gospel are the laity.
The wording of the text asks the People of the Gospel to judge by what Allah has revealed ‘therein’

Allah (swt) has told us concerning their learned people the following:

a) They devour the wealth of people unjustly.

Ultimately in either scenario Allah (swt) tells the People of the Book:

“Say, “O People of the Book! You have nothing to stand on unless you observe the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” (Qur’an 5:68)

How is this done?

“With the clear proofs and the Zabur. And We sent down to YOU (l-dhik’ra) the Remembrance, that YOU may make clear to the people, what has been sent down to them and that they may reflect.” (Qur’an 16:44)

That YOU may make clear to the people.

Just as Jesus (as) was the authority during his time:

“And will make him a messenger unto the Children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah’s leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah’s leave. And I announce unto you what you eat and what you store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are to be believers.” (Qur’an 3:49)

“And I will confirm the Torah revealed before me and legalize some of what had been forbidden to you. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so be mindful of Allah and obey me.” (Qur’an 3:50)

The Qur’an is internally consistent with itself in saying that the Messenger of the time has power and authority over what came before it. Jesus (as) having power and authority over what came before him, the Torah, the Zabur. In fact, as we will see, the New Testament has Jesus quote a Torah that the Jews do not have in their possession!

Thus, the bulk of the Christians could not read. Did not have any access to their text, those that were literate often could not read the language their manuscripts were written in. These, the bulk of Christians had to rely upon introspection and self-reflection.

This argument is common sense and self-evident.

Islam has no veneration of monks. The Prophet is not worshiped. We go to Allah directly. Direct access to the revelation. The literate and illiterate had direct access to the Qur’an via oral preservation and transmission. Direct encouragement to learn this revelation. A religion in which women have direct access to this revelation. The example of the Blessed Prophet (saw) himself. Jesus is like Adam. Jesus is the created word of Allah.

What about the learned Christians?

Those that could read.

Those that would have access to some type of sacred text.

Those that could read the respective languages?

What would the learned Christians find when they reflect upon their sacred text?

This would all depend upon the type or sect of Christianity interacting with Islam.

For example, how would Christians who identified with the teachings of Marcion interact with the following verse of the Qur’an?

“On the Day the earth will be replaced by another earth, and the heavens [as well], and all creatures will come out before Allah, the One, the Prevailing.” (Qur’an 14:48)

The Marcionites were not known to either contain or believe in 2 Peter or Revelation.

Let us say we stick with the Canon most Christian sects today believe in. That is 27 book New Testament canon as opposed to only 22 or 35 books of other Christian sects.

What does the learned Christian find?

The learned Christian is shocked to find just how Jesus-Less the New Testament is as a whole.

Next, you have to take into account that according to the document of the New Testament (27-book canon and not the 22-book New Testament or the 35-book New Testament that rival Christians hold as canon), the actual number of words attributed to Christ Jesus is (once you exclude the duplication of Jesus’s speeches in the four accepted gospels) the total number of words spoken by Jesus is 31,426.

Source: (https://synopticgospel.com/blog/how-many-words-of-jesus-christ-are-red/)

Then, if you enter this number into Convert Words to Minutes – Speech Calculator (Free), you find that it would take 242 minutes, or about 4 hours, to read all of Jesus’ words aloud.

So we have about 4 hours of reading the words attributed to Jesus.

If we are to grant a 27 NT Canon as opposed to the 22 or 35 book New Testaments that were in dispute among Christians in the time of the Blessed Prophet (saw). 19/27 have absolutely no words of Jesus in them at all! 70.67% of the New Testament has nothing attributed to Jesus!!

1 and 2 Corinthians, two other books have two passages ascribed to Jesus:

1 Cor 11:24 & 2 Cor 12:9 The rest of these two letters is nothing.

This means only the Four traditional Gospels, the Apocalypse of John, and the book of Acts are the the only NT books that have words attributed to Jesus in them! (other than the 2 Corinthians citations) Most Christians do not stop to think about this!

The following books from a 27-book New Testament canon have absolutely no words of Jesus in them at all.

Romans (no words of Jesus at all)
Galatians (no words of Jesus at all)
Colossians (no words of Jesus at all)
1 Timothy (no words of Jesus at all)
2 Timothy (no words of Jesus at all)
Ephesians (no words of Jesus at all)
Philippians (no words of Jesus at all)
1 Thessalonians (no words of Jesus at all)
2 Thessalonians (no words of Jesus at all)
Hebrews (no words of Jesus at all)
James (no words of Jesus at all)
Titus (no words of Jesus at all)
Philemon (no words of Jesus at all)
1 John (no words of Jesus at all)
2 John (no words of Jesus at all)
3 John (no words of Jesus at all)
Jude (no words of Jesus at all)
1 Peter (no words of Jesus at all)
2 Peter (no words of Jesus at all)

1 Corinthians
“And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” After the same manner he also took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

2 Corinthians
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The other thing that the learned Christian would find is that of the four books that are given the title: The Gospel. According to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that the book of John does not contain the word Gospel in it at all!

The learned Christian would find that the gospel was something Jesus preached. That the times the Christian canon do refer to the Gospel of Jesus, it is referenced as a sort of vague revelation concerning the coming of the kingdom. The Gospel was certainly not some biography about the life of Jesus written after him.

“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” (Matthew 4:23)

“And saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

“One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up.” (Luke 20:1)

The learned Christian might be startled to find that the New Testament speaks about rival gospels!

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another(εὐαγγέλιον) gospel.” (Galatians 1:6)

The learned Christian finds out that not everything Paul wrote was inspired and if it was, it was not preserved!

“I wrote unto you in an EPISTLE not to accompany fornicators:” (1 Corinthians 5:9)

Prima Qur’an Comment: Well, if everything Paul wrote was inspired by God, then where is this epistle at? By the way, this is 1st Corinthians, not 2nd Corinthians.

The learned Christian finds out that not everything that is called Scripture has been preserved.

“Or do you suppose it is in vain that the SCRIPTURE says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us”? (James 4:5)

Where is the Scripture that this quote comes from? So does the Bible contain all of God’s scripture or not?

The learned Christian finds out that the New Testament informs us that Jesus said things that are not recorded at all!

“After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:46)

Those questions are not recorded.

The learned Christian (those whose churches accept the book of Revelation as canonical) would read Revelation chapters 2 and 3 and wonder what happened to the 7 lost letters to the Churches apparently authorized by Jesus to the angels?

The learned Christian finds there is not a shred of historical data outside this dream of John, where in these letters were written to any Churches!

The learned Christian finds that his New Testament quotes a Torah that no one had in possession at the time of Jesus until today.

“To this day, I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to the small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22-23)

The learned Christian finds that there are three claims which Paul says Moses and the prophets made:

Christ must suffer.
Christ would be the first to rise from the dead.
Christ would proclaim light both to the Jews and to the Gentiles.

The learned Christian will find that Moses made no such claims.

The learned Christian will find the New Testament having Jesus quote from a TNCH that did not exist in the time of Jesus nor exist today.

“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:16-19)

“And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.”

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

So when we go to this Latin Roman Catholic website here:

https://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk004.htm

The footnote says: [6] Is. 61.1, 2. So, this means this text from Isaiah that Jesus is allegedly reading is Isaiah 61:1-2 right?

So when I check this against the Septuagint 2.0 (The Holy Spirit’s Fav Version)

I find the following:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of recompense; to comfort all that mourn (Isaiah 61:1-2 Septuagint 2.0)

Source: (https://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/61.htm)

But wait a minute! Hold up! It says: ” He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written…”

Here is the rub: Jesus was not reading from the Septuagint 2.0 It says he was reading from the scroll! What would the Hebrew Isaiah 61 look like?

The spirit of the Lord God was upon me, since the Lord anointed me to bring tidings to the humble, He sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to declare freedom for the captives, and for the prisoners to free from captivity. To declare a year of acceptance for the Lord and a day of vengeance for our God, to console all mourners. (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Source: (https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/15992)

“The spirit of my Sovereign GOD is upon me, because God has anointed me. I have been sent as a herald of joy to the humble, To bind up the wounded of heart, To proclaim release to the captives, Liberation to the imprisoned; To proclaim a year of GOD’s favor And a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn.” (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Source: (https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.61.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en)

“To give sight to the blind” That is no where there!

So are the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Latin Roman Catholics and Protestants justified to maliciously tamper with the text like this? Do they have the right to alter God’s words?

The Learned Christian will discover the malicious tampering of Habakkuk 2:4 by the Christians.

“Behold, it is puffed up-his soul is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

Another manipulation by Paul.

“Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

Christians are fine with this! Because they are a people who are not sincere and do not mind if God’s scriptures are contorted and manipulated.

The Learned Christian discovers that an anonymous New Testament book alters the words of Jeremiah! Do keep in mind this depends on whether that particular learned Christian accepted Hebrews as canonical.

An Anonymous New Testament Book Alters the Words of Jeremiah!

The Book of Hebrews-according to church tradition, is ascribed to Paul. However, today, modern Christian scholarship has walked away from this claim.

Nonetheless, why would Christians trust a book by an anonymous author that deliberately and maliciously misquotes the Jewish Scriptures?

“It will not be like the covenant which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, to rescue them from Egypt; that they should break my covenant, and I (says the Lord) should abandon them.” (Hebrews 8:9)

Footnote states: [4] vv. 8 and the following: Jer. 31.31.

Source: (https://www.newadvent.org/bible/heb008.htm)

“It will not be like the covenant which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, to rescue them from Egypt; that they should break my covenant, and I, all the while, their master, the Lord says.” (Jeremiah 31:32)

Source: (https://www.newadvent.org/bible/jer031.htm)

Jeremiah 31:31 in the Hebrew TNCH (Jeremiah 31:32 in the Christian Bible)

“Not like the covenant that I formed with their forefathers on the day I took them by the hand to take them out of the land of Egypt, that they broke My covenant, although I was a lord over them, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:31)

Source: (https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16028)

“It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors, when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, a covenant that they broke, though I espoused them—declares GOD.” (Jeremiah 31:31)

Source: (https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.31.32?lang=bi)

The deliberate and malicious changes to the text are obvious to all those who do not have a veil over their eyes.

A huge difference between saying God abandoned his people or simply disregarded them and saying that God was like a husband or espoused or a watchful master/lord over them.

The learned Christian will find when reading the New Testament the claim that the (New Testament) itself is not the ultimate arbiter of truth for the Christian.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13)

The learned Christian will find the claim that Jesus tells them the scriptures are not what gives eternal life, but contrary to this, the scriptures speak of one to come who has authority.

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them, you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5: 39-40)

The learned Christian will find the claim that Jesus tells the crowds not to turn to the Torah for guidance but to listen to the teachers of the law, and obey all that they tell you. They are the ones who teach and inform the masses.

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. “But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:1-3)

The average Christian, the vast majority of whom would not even be able to read their sacred sources, much less have access to them. The vast majority of Christians do not believe their sacred sources guide them; rather, they believe their respective Church or Bishops guide them. Such people certainly do not have any recourse to any injeel. They would instead rely upon the merits of the propositions, positions and the arguments of each faith community.

When they hear the verse recited: “And let the People of the Gospel (ahlu l-injili) judge by what Allah has revealed therein.” It can come across as a taunt to them. A powerful-in-the face reminder that they have no access to their Injil; whereas the Muslim, poor and powerful, man and woman, slave and free person all have direct access to their revelation.

Likewise, the learned Christian can also perceive the verse as a taunt when they too realize they are not in possession of a revelation of Christ Jesus, but rather biographies concerning him. The learned Christian watches in breath-taking amazement as revelation is revealed in real time to the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw).

Lastly, the so-called “Islamic Dilemma” has become a huge Christian Dilemma. Why is that?

The Christians are arguing against what they believe is an argument of Jesus for his (Jesus) being authentic!

How?

“If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. “How then will his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:26)

Christians claim that the Qur’an is from Satan. So why would Satan want people to go back to the Bible as evidence or source of truth?

Thus, Christian claims become a huge dilemma for them.

In summary: Let the People of The Gospel Judge. Where is the Injeel?

Key Points of Our Critique

The Nature of “Injeel” in the Qur’an
The Qur’anic concept of “Injeel” is not synonymous with the New Testament canon. It refers to the divine revelation given to Jesus, which was likely an oral message (a “Reminder” or dhikr), not a written biography. The Qur’an (5:14) states that Christians “forgot a portion of that which they were reminded of,” indicating an oral tradition that was corrupted or neglected over time. The demand to judge by the Injeel is a call to return to the core, uncorrupted message of Jesus, which the Qur’an claims to confirm and restore.

The Qur’an as Clarifier and Restorer
The Qur’an positions itself as the “Dhikr” (Reminder) that clarifies previous revelations (16:44). It does not assume that Jews and Christians have perfectly preserved, accessible texts. Instead, it calls them back to the original teachings of their prophets, which the Qur’an itself confirms and elucidates. The command to “judge by what Allah has revealed” is a call to ethical and theological consistency with the original revelation, which the Qur’an claims to represent authentically.

The Christian Dilemma
We turn the tables on the polemic by invoking the Christian argument that the Qur’an must be from Satan. If that were true, why would “Satan” command people to judge by the Bible, which would ultimately lead them to reject Satan? This creates a logical inconsistency for the Christian critic.

Our analysis successfully argues that the Christian polemic is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of both history and the Qur’an’s own claims. The Qur’an is not attempting to “settle the New Testament canon” for Christians. It is making a theological and ethical challenge to Christian communities and their leaders: to live up to the original message of Jesus, which the Qur’an asserts it has come to confirm and restore.

The command in 5:47 is not an impractical demand for individual Christians to consult a non-existent universal book; it is a call to action for the community as a whole, and especially its scholars, to return to the principles of their faith—principles that the Qur’an claims to embody most perfectly.

Our critique exposes the weakness of scholarship that fails to engage with the historical reality of 7th-century religious communities and the nuanced way the Qur’an addresses them.

The “Taunt” and the Invitation
We suggest that the verse can be seen as a “taunt”, a wake up call, or a powerful reminder to Christians that they have lost direct access to their revelation, while Muslims have it in the Qur’an. For the sincere Christian, it is an invitation to recognize the truth in the Qur’anic message, as described in 5:82-83, where some Christians recognize the truth revealed to Muhammed and embrace Islam.

The insincere among them are certainly damned to hell.

The sincere among them, well…

“And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.” (Qur’an 5:83)

May Allah Guide the Ummah.

May Allah Forgive the Ummah.

May Allah guide the sincere among the Christians before the penalty of the hellfire engulfs them.

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