What defines the Quran? Definition and Overview The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a divine revelation delivered in Arabic to the prophet Muhammad over a span of approximately twenty-three years, beginning around AD 610 and concluding around AD 632. It is composed of 114 chapters, known as surahs, which vary widely in length and cover topics including law, theology, morality, guidance for daily living, and narratives concerning previous prophets and peoples. Muslims regard the Quran as the ultimate and unaltered word of God (“Allah” in Arabic), and they hold that its Arabic form remains preserved from corruption. Yet, in understanding what defines the Quran from a comprehensive vantage point, it is vital to recognize its historical context, its textual characteristics, the claims it makes about prophethood and Scripture, and how it interacts with biblical texts and Christian claims about salvation and the person of Jesus. Origins and Historical Context The Quran’s origins are traced to the early seventh century in the Arabian Peninsula. According to traditional Islamic sources, the prophet Muhammad received revelations through the angel Jibril (Gabriel), which he recited orally to followers. These followers memorized or recorded these recitations. After Muhammad’s death, the internal Islamic history states that these scattered pieces were compiled into the standardized edition under the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, resulting in what is largely recognized as the text still used today. Archaeological discoveries, such as early Quranic manuscripts found in Sanaa, Yemen, suggest a fairly rapid codification of the text. Some of these manuscripts exhibit variations in orthography, arrangement, or slight textual differences, which have been the subject of scholarly research into early Quranic transmission. Structure and Literary Features Each surah has a distinct place within the Quran, though the chapters are not arranged chronologically. Instead, they are generally ordered from longer to shorter sections. The style is primarily poetic and exhortatory, with recurring exhortations to worship one God, do good deeds, and follow the guidance revealed through Muhammad. Distinctive to the Quran is the strong emphasis on recitation; it is often memorized in full or in large part by devout Muslims. The rhythmic and sometimes rhyming nature in Arabic supports this oral tradition. Linguistic eloquence is frequently cited by Islamic scholars as an argument for its divine origin. Key Theological Assertions 1. God’s Oneness – The Quran upholds a strict monotheism, referred to as tawhid, emphasizing that God is absolutely singular in essence, without equal or partner. 2. Prophetic Lineage – The Quran recognizes a series of prophets that includes those found in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament (e.g., Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus). Muhammad is considered the “seal of the prophets,” implying no subsequent prophet would arise. 3. Revelation and Authority – Muslims view earlier Scriptures (Torah, Psalms, Gospel) as originating from God but believe the Quran is the final, most complete revelation. The Islamic perspective generally asserts that previous revelations have not been preserved in their original form, while the Quran is free from error or corruption. 4. Jesus in the Quran – The Quran affirms Jesus’ virgin birth and status as a prophet but denies His deity and crucifixion (Surah 4:157). This perspective contrasts markedly with biblical teaching that Jesus is the divine Son of God and that His sacrificial death and resurrection are the central means of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Comparison with Biblical Revelation While Muslims and Christians share roots in recognizing Abraham and several other figures as significant, drastic differences exist: 1. Nature of God – The Quran stresses oneness to the exclusion of the biblical teaching on the triune nature of God (cf. Matthew 28:19). 2. Person of Jesus – The Bible identifies Jesus as the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and upholds His atoning death and resurrection as foundational for salvation (Romans 10:9–10). The Quran respects Jesus as a prophet but denies the crucifixion and resurrection. 3. Role of Scripture – From the Christian view, Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16) and is neither contradicted nor superseded by later texts (cf. Galatians 1:8–9). 4. Salvation – The Bible indicates that faith in the crucified and risen Christ is the pathway to reconciliation with God (Romans 5:8–10), whereas the Quran sees forgiveness as granted through the mercy of God alongside one’s adherence to Islamic practices. Textual Preservation and Manuscript Considerations Many Islamic scholars assert a perfect preservation of the Quranic text. However, manuscript studies show varying dialectical and orthographic features in early copies, leading some researchers to investigate whether standardization processes in early Islamic history might have included editorial decisions. In contrast, biblical manuscript evidence benefits from a robust history of textual transmission. Thousands of New Testament manuscripts—some dating to the second century—provide a high level of confidence in the Bible’s textual stability (cf. Dead Sea Scrolls evidence for the Old Testament). Perspectives on Authority From a biblical standpoint, the authenticity of any theological text is measured in light of revealed Scripture: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Because the Quran in multiple instances challenges core biblical doctrines—particularly about Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and deity—this presents a direct conflict with passages such as John 14:6, in which Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Moreover, the Quran’s later composition date—several centuries after the apostolic writings—leads many Christians to regard its claims as historically and doctrinally inconsistent when compared to the earlier, widely attested manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments. Historical and Archaeological Ties While Islamic tradition recounts the region’s history and describes specific events, archaeological support for certain Quranic narratives is often less established than the tangible evidence affirming biblical locations, events, and cultural practices. Discoveries at sites like Jericho, Hazor, and Megiddo, for example, provide archaeological contexts that align closely with biblical chronology and narrative details. In contrast, the primary supportive evidence for the Quran’s historical context has centered on the early Islamic period itself, detailing the emergence of the Rashidun Caliphate, the building of the early mosques, and growth of Islamic influence throughout the Near East. Implications for Interfaith Dialogue The Quran’s presence as a religious authority for over a billion people worldwide makes it a crucial point of engagement for those examining the claims of the Bible in the broader realm of spiritual truth. While differences in central doctrines—most notably regarding the identity and work of Jesus—remain irreconcilable in Christian and Islamic theology, respectful dialogue can foster greater understanding of how Islamic teaching interacts with biblical revelation. Conclusion The Quran stands as the primary text of Islam, defined by its final form in Arabic and regarded by its adherents as God’s unaltered message through Muhammad. It addresses themes of monotheism, moral guidance, and reverence for prophets. From a biblical perspective, core issues arise concerning the Quran’s view of Jesus’ nature and work, the question of scriptural authority, the textual consistency across centuries, and the role of Christ’s resurrection. In comparing the Quran’s teachings with biblical teaching, believers holding Scripture (canonically preserved and affirmed by robust manuscript evidence) as the foundational truth will find significant doctrinal divergences that shape their understanding of the Quran’s claims and its place in interreligious discourse. |
    |