Comparative Theology · Monotheism & Christology
The "Islamic Dilemma" Polemic (Surah 5:47)
In short
- 1.This is an equivocation fallacy: the Qur'an refers to the Injil — the original, pristine revelation given to Jesus (PBUH) — not the 27-book New Testament compiled centuries later.
- 2.The Qur'an acts as Muhaimin (guardian/corrector) over previous dispensations (Surah 5:48).
- 3.It confirms remaining truths, abrogates outdated laws, and corrects human later additions (Tahrif).
The claim being examined
The argument that Surah 5:47 commands Christians to judge by the modern 27-book New Testament , leaving the Qur'an either affirming it or contradicting itself.
The Islamic position
The Qur'an addresses the Injil revealed to Jesus (PBUH), and stands as Muhaimin — guardian and corrector — over what survives of it.
Analysis
Scholars who study the earliest layer of Jesus's (PBUH) teaching — the sayings shared by Matthew and Luke, often called Q — find moral teaching and worship of one God. The later material about a saving death and a divine Christ is not in that earliest layer. So when Muslims say the message Jesus (PBUH) brought was about worshipping God alone, they are describing what the earliest evidence actually contains.
From the Qur'an
وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ ۖ
wa-anzalnā ilayka l-kitāba bil-ḥaqi muṣaddiqan limā bayna yadayhi mina l-kitābi wamuhayminan ʿalayhi
And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming what came before it of the Scripture and as a guardian over it.
وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ لَفَرِيقًۭا يَلْوُۥنَ أَلْسِنَتَهُم بِٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِتَحْسَبُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
wa-inna min'hum lafarīqan yalwūna alsinatahum bil-kitābi litaḥsabūhu mina l-kitābi wamā huwa mina l-kitābi wayaqūlūna huwa min ʿindi l-lahi wamā huwa min ʿindi l-lahi wayaqūlūna ʿalā l-lahi l-kadhiba wahum yaʿlamūna
And indeed, among them is a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not.
From the Bible
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down by those who were eyewitnesses...
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