Quran 600 years after Bible: a valid reason to reject it?

The claim that the Quran should be rejected because it was revealed 600 years after Jesus ﷺ is based on a misunderstanding of both Islamic teachings and historical context. Furthermore, this claim is rooted in several fallacies and assumptions about the Bible. Here are several points to address this claim:

600-year gap isn't a valid argument

Christians claim that Islam came after their book, implying that it should be rejected. However, the Gospel came after the Torah by approximately 1,500 years. Does that mean Christians should not follow the Gospel? No, as soon as it came from God, it should be believed.

Allah (God) has sent guidance to humanity through various prophets across different eras. The Quran, as the final revelation, confirms and completes the previous scriptures. The timing of its revelation does not invalidate its message. The Quran states:

"It is He Who has sent down the Book (the Quran) to you (Muhammad) with truth, confirming what came before it. And He sent down the Torah and the Gospel." (Quran 3:3)

This verse emphasizes that the Quran confirms the previous scriptures rather than contradicts them.

Messengers to All Nations and Continuity of Prophethood

Allah sent messengers to all nations, ensuring that every community received guidance. The Quran says:

"And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], 'Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false gods).'" (Quran 16:36)

For those who lived in the gaps between the revelations of different prophets and did not receive a clear message, Islamic teaching holds that they will be tested on the Day of Judgment. Allah states in the Quran:

"And We would not punish until We sent a messenger." (Quran 17:15)

The Quran acknowledges the prophets who came before Muhammad ﷺ, including Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them), as part of a continuous chain of guidance from Allah. This continuity is highlighted in the Quran:

"Say, 'We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.'" (Quran 2:136)

Jesus' True Teachings and Misconceptions About the Bible

Jesus never taught the doctrines commonly associated with Christianity today, such as the Trinity or his sacrificial death for humanity's sins. Jesus was a Muslim, believing in and teaching the oneness of God.
His message was one of submission to Allah. The Quran states:

"Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path." (Quran 3:51)

The people who believed in Jesus during his time were Muslims, following the true message and the same belief as Muslims today. However, after his time, his message was corrupted by mixing it with pagan doctrines. The Council of Nicaea, influenced by Emperor Constantine, altered Jesus' original teachings. The use of force and political power led to the widespread acceptance of these altered beliefs. It is the fault of those who believed these church fathers' pagan-influenced doctrines. No one forced them to believe these changes, and Jesus never taught such concepts.

Jesus explicitly stated that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, emphasizing his mission to the Jews alone:

"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)

The Bible is not the actual Torah revealed to Moses nor the actual Gospel revealed to Jesus. Even Christian scholars admit this. The four Gospels were written later, after Jesus, by anonymous authors. The names Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, supposed to be the disciples of Jesus or their students, were attributed to these Gospels in the 2nd century. For more insights, you can watch Bart Ehrman's discussion on this topic: Who Wrote The Gospels?.

The message of the Bible has been corrupted over time. There are many versions that differ by the number of books and stories. Despite these changes, the Bible still contains remnants of the truth, including proofs that Jesus is a prophet and not God. For example:

• Jesus prayed to God (Matthew 26:39)
• Jesus denied being God (John 14:28)
• Jesus acknowledged his mission as a prophet (Luke 4:43)

Quran Corrects the Bible

It is expected that the Quran contradicts some information mentioned in the Bible because the Bible has been changed and corrupted over time. This is not the actual message of the prophets. For example, the Bible claims:

• Lot slept with his daughters (Genesis 19:30-36)
• David had sex with a married woman (2 Samuel 11:2-5)
• Aaron built an idol (Exodus 32:1-4)
• Solomon disbelieved at the end of his life (1 Kings 11:4-10)
• Noah got naked and drunk (Genesis 9:21)
• God got tired after creating the universe and needed rest (Genesis 2:2)
• God wrestled with Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30)
• God repents and regrets his decisions (Genesis 6:6)

These descriptions are not befitting of prophets or God, and the Quran corrects these misconceptions by providing the true message free from corruption.

Prophecies About Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Many prophecies about Prophet Muhammad are mentioned in the Bible. These include references to his location (Isaiah 42:11), genealogy (Isaiah 42:11, Deuteronomy 18:18), migration from Mecca to Medina (Isaiah 21:13-17, Habakkuk 3:3). Even his name is mentioned in Hebrew in many places (Song of Solomon 5:16, Haggai 2:7). This is why three tribes of Jews awaited him in Medina. What were three tribes of Jews doing in the land of Arabia at that time? They were awaiting the fulfillment of prophecies.

Preservation of the Quran

The Quran has been perfectly preserved since its revelation. This preservation ensures that the message remains unchanged, providing a reliable guide for humanity. Allah says in the Quran:

"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian." (Quran 15:9)