What Do Muslims Believe About the Bible and the Torah?

What Do Muslims Believe About the Bible and the Torah?

What Do Muslims Believe About the Bible and the Torah?

Introduction

Among the most common questions asked in interfaith dialogue is: “What do Muslims believe about the Bible and the Torah?” Since Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all trace their roots back to Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim, peace be upon him), it is natural that these religions share many scriptures, prophets, and teachings.

The Quran, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the 7th century, frequently mentions earlier scriptures such as the Torah (Tawrah) given to Prophet Moses (Musa), the Psalms (Zabur) given to Prophet David (Dawud), and the Gospel (Injil) given to Prophet Jesus (Isa). Muslims are required to believe in all of these revelations as part of their faith.

Yet, Islam also clarifies that while the original revelations were from Allah, many of these texts have been altered over time. This article explores the Muslim perspective on the Bible and the Torah in detail.

Muslim Belief in All Divine Scriptures

In Islam, belief in all revealed scriptures is one of the six pillars of faith. The Quran says:

“Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light…” (Quran 5:44)
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, son of Mary, confirming what came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light…” (Quran 5:46)

This shows that the Torah and the Gospel were divinely revealed and contained true guidance. Thus, Muslims cannot reject them outright; they are part of the legacy of revelation.

The Torah (Tawrah) in Islam

  • The Tawrah was revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him).
  • It contained laws, commandments, and guidance for the Israelites.
  • Muslims believe it was originally a complete and pure revelation from Allah.
  • However, the Quran also points out that parts of the Torah were later distorted (tahrif) by some groups, either through misinterpretation or textual alteration.

That is why Muslims respect the Torah but do not consider the current Old Testament identical to the original Tawrah.

The Bible and the Gospel (Injil)

  • Muslims believe that Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) received the Injil (Gospel) from Allah.
  • This Gospel was a message of monotheism, mercy, and spirituality, confirming the Torah and preparing the way for the final Messenger.
  • The New Testament, however, was written decades after Jesus, by multiple authors, and therefore is not considered the same as the original Injil.

Thus, Muslims respect the Bible but recognize that it contains human additions and interpretations alongside elements of divine truth.

Respect but with Caution

The Quran commands Muslims to engage respectfully with Jews and Christians (known as “People of the Book”):

“And do not argue with the People of the Book except in a way that is best…” (Quran 29:46)

This means Muslims should acknowledge the shared prophets and revelations, while also clarifying the differences. Muslims neither dismiss the Bible and Torah completely, nor accept them fully as they exist today.

The Quran as the Final Revelation

The Quran positions itself as the final and preserved revelation, confirming the truths of earlier scriptures and correcting distortions:

“And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it of the Scripture and as a criterion (Furqan) over it…” (Quran 5:48)

Therefore, Muslims believe:

  • The Torah and Gospel were divine but altered.
  • The Quran came to preserve the original truths and serve as the ultimate guide until the Day of Judgment.

Key Quranic Verses on the Bible and Torah

  1. On the Torah: “Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light…” (Quran 5:44)
  2. On the Gospel: “…We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Torah before it…” (Quran 5:46)
  3. On all scriptures: “Say, ‘We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.’” (Quran 3:84)

An Interfaith Perspective

Muslims, Christians, and Jews all share belief in the same line of prophets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and many others.
This shared spiritual heritage is a powerful reminder of unity. Islam emphasizes dialogue, respect, and recognition of common ground, while inviting people to the Quran as the unaltered word of God.

Recommended Reading & Free Books

If you’d like to explore this topic further, our foundation has published free resources:

These works explain in detail how the Quran views the Torah, the Bible, and previous prophets.

Conclusion

To summarize:

  • Muslims believe the Torah and Gospel were originally divine revelations.
  • The current Bible and Torah contain truth but also alterations.
  • The Quran confirms and corrects them as the final message of Allah.
  • Respect for all scriptures is part of Islamic faith, but reliance is placed on the Quran as the preserved word of God.

👉 Whether you’re Muslim, Christian, or Jewish, understanding these connections helps foster respect and dialogue. You can download free PDFs of our books or order printed editions to explore further.

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