3. The Muslim Belief
Before I begin with the analysis of all the verses in the Quran which the Christians quote in their defense, let me in short state the basic Muslim belief regarding the Bible which Christendom possesses.

Muslims do not believe that from cover to cover, the Bible is the complete Word of God. The Muslims also do not believe that from cover to cover the Bible is corrupted. What the Muslims do believe is that while there is part of the Word of God in the Bible, the other part is corrupted. To explain it in simpler terms; for example if the Bible has a scientific or historic accuracy, the Muslim will be open to accept that this probably could be the preserved Word of God but on the other hand a Muslim will never accept that the scientific or historic inaccuracies in the Bible are also from God.


4. Explaining Verses Quoted by Christians
I will use the translation of Abdullah Yusuf Ali throughout this article unless stated otherwise.


4a. General Verses Quoted
This is a list of the general verses quoted by the Christians to try and prove that the Quran confirms the entire Bible which the Christians used to have in those days.

These verses are:

Chapter 29 Verse 46
Chapter 5 Verse 66


Chapter 29 Verse 46

And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, “We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam).”

This verse is often quoted by the Christians to prove that the Quran teaches that the Bible is uncorrupted. When we read this verse we see that Allah (swt) tells us to say that we believe in the revelation which has come to the People of the Book. As stated before, it is an article of faith for a Muslim to believe that the Torah, Zabur and Injeel are Books revealed onto the respective prophets عليھم السلام but no where does this verse say that we believe in what the Christians and the Jews possessed at that time. It is a general statement that a Muslim is to believe that Torah, Zabur and Injeel were revealed by Allah (swt).

Moreover as one can see, in the beginning of the verse, Allah (swt) encourages us to debate and have dialogue with the People of the Book. Now if the Quran was testifying that the Books which they have at that point in time were in their pure form and that they were on the right path then why would the Muslims be encouraged to have a dialogue and debate with the People of the Book? Obviously the dialogue was to help them realize the wrong which they were doing so that they could come onto the right path. The path as prescribed by Allah (swt). The path one can walk on only by accepting the uncorrupted Book – The Quran.


Chapter 5 Verse 66

If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.

This noble verse of the Quran informs us that the People of the Book are not holding on to the Torah and the Injeel. Allah (swt) says that if they were following the Torah and the Injeel then they would have enjoyed happiness. Now the Christian missionaries claim that the Quran certifies that the entire Bible is uncorrupted. As we can see in this verse the Quran is actually telling us that they are not following the Torah and the Injeel. Under what circumstances would they not be following it? The only reason why they would not be following it is if they would not have the complete original books. So this verse actually informs us that they do not have the uncorrupted version of the books. Now the latter part of the verse states that among the People of the Book there are a few who are on the right course.

To explain the latter part of the verse, notice in the initial part it says ‘and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord’. This phrase includes the revelation that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah (swt) and all that was revealed to him. So the verse not only talks about them following the Torah and the Injeel in its pure form, but also talks about them following Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Now in the latter part of the verse it says that there are some who are on the right course, which means that there are some who are from among the people of the Book who believe in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Some might say that those from the People of the Book who have accepted Islam would be referred to as Muslims and not as ‘among the People of the Book’. However that claim of theirs is based on nothing but misinterpretations and misinformation. The Quran gives similar messages throughout. One such similar message is seen in the following verse:


And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in Allah, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to Allah: They will not sell the Signs of Allah for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and Allah is swift in account. – [Chapter 3 Verse 199]
Notice how this verse also uses the phrase ‘among the People of the Book’ when referring to those from among them who believe in Allah (swt) and in the revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Hence they would be Muslims as well but the Quran yet refers to them as ‘among the People of the Book’. Thus it becomes apparent what Allah (swt) is referring to in Chapter 5 Verse 66.