Muslims believe the Quran has never changed. They also believe it is perfectly preserved. “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)” (Qs 15:9). But if they look at closely at Islamic sources, they will question if this belief is true.
The Quran’s Collection
After Muhammad’s death, some of the manuscripts were lost during Yamama war. Caliph Abu Bakr sent many Qurra to fight in it. “Qurra” are those people who knew the Quran by heart. Unfortunately, many of them died. Portions of the Quran were also lost with their deaths. “Many (of the passages) of the Qur’an that were sent down were known by those who died on the day of Yamama …” (Ibn Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Masahif)
Then Abu Bakr collected and kept the remaining portions. After he died, they went to Caliph Umar. After Umar died, they went to Hafsa, one of Muhammad’s widows (Sahih al-Bukhari 4986).
The Quran’s Standardization
However, during Caliph Uthman’s leadership, Muslims disputed over this Quranic collection. So Uthman summoned Zayd ibn Thabit, a leading authority on the Quran, to revise it. The text was written in the Quraish dialect. After finishing it, Uthman sent a copy of the new text to every Muslim province. He also burned all of the differing manuscripts (Mishkat Vol. III, p. 708). The Quran we have now is a copy of the Uthmanic codex.
Disagreements Among Muhammad’s Followers
But many Islamic scholars disagreed with this Quran. Ibn Masud, one of Muhammad’s followers, called it a deception. “The people have been guilty of deceit in the reading of the Quran. I like it better to read according to the recitation of him [I.e] Muhammad … more than that of Zayd Ibn Thabit” (Ibn Sa’d, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, Vol. 2, p. 444).
Ubayy ibn Ka’b, Muhammad’s best reciter believed it was missing two chapters (Sahih al-Bukhari 5005). Aisha, Muhammad’s wife claimed some verses missing. “The verse about stoning and about breastfeeding an adult was revealed, and the paper was with me under my pillow. When the Messenger of Allah died, we were preoccupied with his death, and a tame sheep came in and ate it” (related by Ibn-Mayah in “Kitabu’l Sunan” with Sahih Muslim, page 740). How many more verses are missing?
The Injil Has Never Changed
Muslims believe that Injil has changed. But they cannot provide the proof. There are indeed translations in different languages. But this doesn’t alter the Injil. Isa Al-Masih told his disciples, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear” (Injil, Luke 21:33).
The Injil’s message is that God sent His Word, Isa Al-Masih, into the world. At the end of Isa’s life on earth, He died as a holy sacrifice for the world. He did this so that we could have Allah’s forgiveness. Because of Allah’s forgiveness, we have eternal life! Isn’t that what everyone is looking for? “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son [Isa]” (Injil, Apostle John 5:11). Receive Him and you’ll get the assurance of eternal life!
[We invite you to visit us at https://www.isaandislam.com/way-of-salvation to learn more about God’s gift of Salvation. God loves you and waits to hear from you. Isa clearly said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Injil, John 14:6) For a deeper understanding of Isa, we suggest you subscribe to “Isa, Islam, and Al-Fatiha” at this link.]
SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW
We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:
1. Why were some portions of the Quran lost?
2. How was the current Quran compiled?
3. How are the Quran and the Injil different?
If you have a question regarding this article, please contact us by clicking this link.
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Hi,the story of the Quran being changed was for a specific reason. The supposed missing pieces were left out on purpose by Allah’s will. Maybe those pieces have had previous errors in them.
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Dear Ishaag Asad,
The perfect and holy Allah would not change His mind. The Quran commands its followers to read the holy book that came before which is the Bible (Qs 10:94-95)
It’s written in the Bible that, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrew 4:12).
To find out the truth, please study and discover it for yourself. The truth will set you free from the Judgement day. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).”
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It’s proven that the bible has been changed. For example, the lineage of Jesus which one part of the Bible says Joseph and the other says Heli.
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Dear Hussan,
They are different names because the geneology of Jesus was written from Joseph’s lineage in the book of Matthew and from Mary’s lineage in the book of Luke.
We invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your God and Savior for the repentance of your sins so you can go to heaven.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,” (Mark 2:10 KJV)
“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:9-11 KJV)
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How can some verify the copy of Quran? Is there any master copy of Quran to compare with?
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Dear Sheeraz,
All Quran in all languages instructs Muslims to read the Bible to find the truth (Sura 3:3) because Jesus is the Messiah/Savior (Sura 3:45) and sent as the guidance and the light for the righteous (Sura 5:46). Muslims are commanded to obey Jesus because He is the Straight Way and the sign for the Judgement Day (Sura 43:61, 3:55-56). Finally, anyone who rejects the Faith in Jesus will be severely punished (Sura 3:4, 2:87-90).
We deserve hell because we are all sinners including prophet Muhammad (Sura 47:19). Jesus is your Savior (Sura 3:45, 5:46, 43:61). We invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your God and Savior so you can go to heaven.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,” (Mark 2:10 KJV)
“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:9-11 KJV)
“So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allah knows of your movement and your resting place.” (Sura 47:19)
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The Gospel of John is sectarian literature and the prime example of how Injil was radically changed
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Dear Pat,
We invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your God and Savior so you can go to heaven.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3 KJV)
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,” (Mark 2:10 KJV)
“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:9-11 KJV)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)