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Quran or Bible: Dead or Alive?‏

24 December, 2016
Q Salam dear brothers and sisters. I received a question from my friend and I need your help to answer it. The question was, "what is the purpose of Quran? God sent us Jesus (a living word) and then the Quran (a dead word). Isn't a live word better than a dead word? For example, we are going to school because we can't understand everything from books so we need a teacher. That teacher would be Jesus. He came to give us light and explanation. Then, what is the purpose of the Quran when that is again just a book (a dead word)? How can a dead word come after a live word? Jesus came because the Old Testament wasn't enough for people to understand. Then why would God send us again a book after Jesus? Isn't Jesus bigger than any dead word? And why is Mohammed so different than other prophets? He wasn't able to do any miracles? And his life doesn't seem pure? Why was Jesus so peaceful and Mohammed so combative? People were also attacking Jesus, but he didn't escape nor did he make war? Why did Mohammed do both? And why did they deal with problems in a different way? The Quran says stoning is correct, but Jesus says it isn't. When people wanted to kill one immoral woman Jesus said "who is without sin can cast the first stone", and of course no one could. Isn't this teaching contrary to the teaching of the Quran?" When I think better yet, those questions are very confusing and I, as a layman, couldn't answer them. Where is the truth?

Answer

Asalamu Alaikum Mehmet,

Thank you for contacting About Islam with your question.

To answer your questions: “What is the purpose of Quran? God sent us Jesus (a live word) and then Quran (a dead word). Isn’t a live word better than a dead word?”:

There are many different versions and translations of the Bible, proving that the Bible is not fully authentic. It could contain the word of God, but has been mixed with opinions of historians and disciples who could be wrong. 

The word of God cannot be modified or based on people’s opinions, it must be preserved in its originality, in its original language from the time it was revealed to Jesus (peace be upon him-PBUH); and, unfortunately, it wasn’t. 

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In contrast, the Quran has only one Arabic version, which is the original language of revelation, and has been preserved and memorized by millions of Muslims.

I am yet to find a single memorizer of the Bible. 

This discrepancy explains why God revealed the Quran; because the Bible has been corrupted and a universal revelation was much needed. So, the Quran is the final revelation and message from God to mankind, and all people are required to follow it. 

So, whose word is alive and whose word is dead? The Quran that is memorized, recited, and followed by billions? Or the Bible in which the original language has been lost, and no one memorizes it or follows its laws?

As for the questions: “People were also attacking Jesus, but he didn’t escape nor made war? Why Mohammed did both?”

Jesus (PBUH) could not fight by himself, since his followers were weak and few in number (by many accounts there were 12 disciples) and did not support him the way Muhammad’s (PBUH) supporters did. This is why Jesus was risen to Allah while Allah’s message to mankind was still incomplete.

Therefore, the final revelation was needed and sent to Muhammad (PBUH). Muhammad and his followers transitioned from a situation of weakness in Makkah to a situation of strength in Madinah, where he had many supporters; it was a strategic move.

As for the questions: “Quran says stoning is correct but Jesus says it isn’t. When people wanted to kill one immoral woman Jesus said, ‘who has no sin, can take a rock’ and of course no one could. Isn’t this teaching contrary to the teaching of the Quran?”

Jesus (PBUH) did not come to completely change the law, but to relax some of the laws that were enforced on the Israelites. Nowadays, Christians do not follow any law; since Jesus died for their sins, as they believe.  The New Testament says that Christians need to fulfill the law:

[Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.] (Matthew, 5:17-19)

Please find below the correct verse regarding the Biblical verse that was misquoted “who has no sin, can take a rock”:

[So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.] (John 8:7)

If you read the verses before and after, you will find that this is specifically talking about the Pharisees who were themselves adulterers, and accused a woman of adultery without bringing any witnesses.

Also, the woman did not confess; therefore, Jesus (PBUH) let her go. This was exactly the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Adultery cannot be prosecuted without witnesses or a confession, as we see from the following hadith:

A man from the Aslam tribe came to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and said to him, ‘I have committed adultery.’ Abu Bakr said to him, ‘Have you mentioned this to anyone else?’” He said, “No.” Abu Bakr said to him, “Then cover it up with the veil of Allah. Allah accepts repentance from his slaves.”

The man was still unsettled, so he went to Umar ibn al-Khattab. He told him the same as he had said to Abu Bakr, and Umar told him the same as Abu Bakr had said to him. He was still not settled so he went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said to him, “I have committed adultery”, insistently.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) turned away from him three times. Each time the Messenger of Allah turned away from him until it became too much. The Messenger of Allah questioned his family, “Does he have an illness which affects his mind, or is he mad?”

They said, “Messenger of Allah, by Allah, he is well.” The Messenger of Allah said, “Unmarried or married?” They said, “Married, Messenger of Allah.” The Messenger of Allah gave the order and he was stoned. (Malik, Book 41, Hadith 41.1.2)

Stoning is also mentioned in the Bible:

[And Moses spoke to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stonesAnd the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses] (Leviticus, 24:23)

I hope this helps answer your questions.  Please feel free to ask if you have doubts or additional clarifications. 

Walaikum Asalam and please keep in touch.

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

Isn’t Jesus the Last Prophet: Why Claim Muhammad Is? Part 1

Isn’t Jesus the Last Prophet: Why Claim Muhammad Is? Part 2

The Quran: Whose Word Is It?

Evidence of The Moon Splitting?

Amazing Miracles of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)- Part 1

Is Jesus God?