Comparative Theology · Common Ground
The prophets prayed for forgiveness
Handle with care. Islam holds that prophets are protected from major sin. Do not blur this for the sake of a parallel.
In short
- 1.David's prayer in Psalm 51 is a confession.
- 2.Prophets in the Qur'an also turn to God in repentance.
- 3.The shared posture is dependence on God's mercy.
The claim being examined
Biblical prophets pray for their own forgiveness and confess their weakness.
The Islamic position
Islam holds prophets to be protected from major sin, yet they still turn to God constantly - as Adam, Musa and Yunus do in the Qur'an.
Analysis
The Islamic doctrine of ismah differs from the biblical portrayal of prophetic sin, so present the shared element - dependence on mercy - rather than flattening the difference.
From the Qur'an
Qur'an 7:23
They said: Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.
From the Bible
Psalm 51:1-2
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love... wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Read it in their BibleSources
The Holy Qur'an · The Bible (NIV / KJV) · Common Ground collection
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