Adventist International Institute

of Advanced Studies

The Bible is changed

A research paper

Presented in partial fulfillment

of the requirements for the course

MSSN 673 Biblical Teachings & the Writings of Islam

Course Instructor

Petras Bahadur, DMin, MBA, PhD (Candidate)

by

Sohail Shoukat

July 2022
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................ii

CHAPTER 1............................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................1
Background of Research Problem.............................................................1
Statement of Problem................................................................................2
Research Question.....................................................................................2
Study Purpose...................................................................................................2

CHAPTER 2...........................................................................................................3

The Bible According to The Qur’an.................................................................3

Why do Muslims say that Bible is changed?....................................................4
Observations/ Reasons......................................................................................4
Effects on the Christian-Muslim Relationship.................................................5
Solution of the Problem....................................................................................5

References:..............................................................................................................6

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”.

Psalm 119:105. The Bible is the Divine Revealed Scriptures which is true guidance for

the world. The Geneva Bible is one of the most historically significant translations of the

Bible into English, preceding the King James Version by 51 years. Islam recognizes

that Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus are true messengers of God sent to guide

humanity. They received revelation and were given authentic scriptures but the Muslim

Scholars say that the Bible was for only a specific time. The Muslims say that The Bible

is changed, so no need to read it. They believe that because of translated many times;

over and over therefore it has changed and lost its original message. The Muslim

Scholars presented this thought that the Bible is changed and not available in its original

form. Now the Holy Qur’an is the only source that is a new and correct revelation

revealed through the angel Gabriel in the end times. The Qur’an is the sacred scripture of

Allah that was revealed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad in the West

Arabian towns Mecca and Medina beginning in 610 and ending with Muhammad's death

in 632 CE.

Background of Research Problem

Muslim Scholar claims that there are more than fifty thousand errors in the
Bible. Since Muslims have been taught from childhood that the Quran is the most sacred
object in the entire universe. Although there are points and evidence to prove errors in the
passages of the Quran. The Christian witness should try to remain up to discussions away
from counter-charges. The goal is not to win a debate, but to see a life transformed by the
indwelling presence of the Spirit of God, through faith in Christ. The Bible has not been

1
lost or corrupted, either before or after the time the Quran was written. The Holy Qur’an
confirms the “Previous Revelations”1 that are revealed revelation of Allah and we can
find several Quranic verses from the Holy Qur’an. There are several logics to prove
wrong the claim of Muslims about the Bible.

Statement of Problem

The Muslims thought that the Bible is changed or corrupted and there is no need

to read the Bible or get guidance from the Bible. There is no evidence of a changed or

corrupted Bible. It is a misunderstanding about the Bible, which should be solved to bring

the Muslims to Jesus Christ for Salvation.

Research Question

1. What does Qur’an say about the Bible?

2. How the thought was developed that the Bible is changed?

3. What are the effects of that thought on the Christian-Muslim relationship?

Study Purpose

The research study will lead the reader to know about the Bible (Tawrat, Zabur &

Injil). They will acknowledge that Bible is not changed or Corrupted. They will

understand that The Bible is still the word of God and valid to read for their spiritual

guidance. This Study will help the Muslims (Majority) to understand the truth about the

Bible and I hope the Quranic references and logical questions will satisfy them. The

Powerful Logic will provide an atmosphere to build a bridge between Christian and

Muslims in the sense of love and brotherhood to protect the community in Pakistan from

religious violence.

1
Previous Revelation (Tawrat revealed on Moses, Zabur revealed on David and Injil revealed on Jesus Christ.

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 CHAPTER 2

The Bible According to The Qur’an.

“It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming

what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)

before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between

right and wrong)”. Surat Al-‘Imran 3:3-4.

According to the above verse, Allah has sent the Bible (Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil) to His

messengers for spiritual guidance on the right and wrong of Mankind. According to the

Surat Al-Maidah, 5:44 Prophet Musa (PBUH) received the Tawrat, and Allah Himself

claim to protect the Book. The Surat Al-Isra 17:55 confirms that Allah revealed the Zabur

(the Psalms) to Prophet Daoud (David) and it is “a blessed book sent down to him”.

According to Surat Al-Maidah 5:46 “And in their footsteps We sent Isa (PBUH) the son

of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein

was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a

guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. “Al-Kutub” is the fundamental

belief of Islam, which confirms the “Previous Revelations” of the Old and New

Testaments. Al-Kutub2 is the plural form of the term.

Believers should have faith in the Previous Revelation. (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:2-4)

“Any who denieth Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Day of

Judgment, hath gone far, far astray.” (Surat An-Nisa 4:136)

Qur’an considers unbelievers to be those who disregard the Previous Revelation.

“None can change His words”. (Surat Al-Anam 6:115)

2
Al-Kutub is the plural of the “Al-Kitab”, which means “one Book”, but there is “Al-Kutub” means “Books” includes Tawrat, Zabur and Injil (Old Testament and
New Testament).

3
“No change is there in the words of Allah”. (Surat Yunus 10:64)
Why do Muslims say that Bible is changed?

Observations/ Reasons

There are so many reasons behind this thought some are as follows:

Diocletian bragged about burning so many Bibles during his time and said, “I have

completely exterminated the Holy Bible from the face of the earth!”. Maybe Muslims

think that the Bible which is now has with Christians is not the original one. The Muslims

think that The Bible is translated so many times, therefore there should be changes and

mistakes accrued. Muslims have seen the western Christian culture which is against the

Bible, therefore, they have an objection that the Bible is changed because there is a

contradiction between Biblical teachings and Christian behavior.

Muslims mainly refer to the following verses from the Qur’an as evidence that the

previous Scriptures (the Bible) were changed or corrupted:

Surah Al-Imran 3:78. “Distort the Book with their tongues”.

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:75. “Knowingly altered it after they understood it”.

Surah An-Nisa 4:46. “They distort with their tongues and slander religion”.

Surah Al- Maidah 5:13. “They twist the words from their context”.

Surah Al-Maidah 5:41. “They have come to you twisting”.

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:78-79. “Words out of their context”.

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 But all the above-mentioned verses say that some people distort their Books with

their tongue or changed their meaning verbally. It says They altered the words of Allah in

their understanding. It is noticed that the thought about the change of the Bible became a

major issue in the sense of religious understanding, relationship, and peace between

Christians and Muslims. Some Muslim Scholars point out the western Christian culture

and Some Muslim extremists use this issue that the Bible is changed to misguide simple

Muslims. Because of these issues, Muslims do not read the Bible.

Effects on the Christian-Muslim Relationship

Solution of the Problem.

Christian theology does not accept that the Bible is changed. We must humble

ourselves. The Bible teaches us that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).

Verse 23 of the same chapter states, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of

God.” The Bible says, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me

draw him” (John 6:44). God, through His Holy Spirit, makes us aware that we are sinners

and we need a Savior.

Now the solution to this issue in Pakistan is only the teaching of the Bible by

using Qur’an to bring the Muslims to Jesus Christ. The Christians should learn the

Qur’an to guide the Muslims to the straight path. Some Muslim scholars have contributed

only religious jealousy which has led to discrimination, harassment, and violent attacks

on minorities. Humanity is the only way by which we can overcome this matter. Some of

the extremist classes of Muslims in Pakistan also became a big hurdle in this matter.

Therefore until and unless we will not develop the brotherly hood love between the

minorities and majorities, and the concept of humanity, we cannot do anything in this
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matter in Pakistan. The Qur'an says: "Perfected is the word of the Lord in truth and

justice. There is naught that can change His words." (Surah 6:116). The Muslims should

accept that the straight path is in the Bible.

References:

The Holy Bible: King James Version: 1611 Edition. Hendrickson Publishers,
America, June 1, 2003.

The Holy Bible: Urdu Revised Version. Pakistan Bible Society, Lahore, 2011.

GCAMR, Leaders, and Coaches Training Manual, 2018.

Shah, Babar. Prophets and Books. Publishing Department.

Shah, Dr. Babar. What does the Holy Qur’an say about the Holy Bible?

Advent Press, 2016.

The Qur’an’s teaching of the Word of God.

http://www.rcyoung.org/Quran/quran2.html