Chapter One
The Concept of Revelation in the Bible and the Qur’an
A Journey of Revelation
Chapter 1:
Introduction
Revelation is the foundation upon which all divine guidance rests. Without revelation, humanity would remain confined to conjecture, philosophy, and inherited assumptions concerning the Creator, purpose of existence, and the path to salvation. Both the Bible and the Qur’an claim to be revelations from God Almighty, yet they present fundamentally different understandings regarding the nature, preservation, and authority of revelation.
This chapter examines revelation as presented in the Bible and the Qur’an, measured against textual evidence and understood through the lens of Islamic scholarship as transmitted from the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to his noble companions (God Almighty be pleased with them).
Revelation as a Divine Act
In the Qur’an, revelation is explicitly defined as a direct act of God Almighty, conveyed to His chosen messengers in a clear and authoritative manner. God Almighty states:
“It is nothing but a revelation revealed.”
Qur’an 53:4
The scholars understood this verse to affirm that revelation is not the product of inspiration, reflection, or emotion, but rather a deliberate transmission from God Almighty to His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Ibn Kathir (God Almighty be merciful to him) stated that this verse decisively refutes the claim that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke from personal reasoning in matters of religion.
Similarly, the Bible affirms that revelation originates from God Almighty. In the Old Testament, it is stated:
“The LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”
Exodus 33:11
This passage indicates that revelation, according to the Biblical narrative, was understood as communication initiated by God Almighty, not authored by man. However, the Bible does not present a single, preserved mechanism explaining how revelation was safeguarded after its delivery.
The Medium of Revelation
The Qur’an clearly identifies the angel Jibra’eel (Gabriel) as the appointed messenger of revelation:
“The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down.”
Qur’an 26:193
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) described the modes of revelation in his authentic (Hadith) sayings. A’ishah (God Almighty be pleased with her) reported:
“Sometimes it comes to me like the ringing of a bell, and that is the hardest on me…”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2
The scholars unanimously affirmed that revelation was external, objective, and binding, not internal inspiration. Imam Ahmad (God Almighty’s mercy and blessings on him) held that denying the external nature of revelation constitutes deviation from orthodox belief.
In contrast, the Bible describes multiple modes of revelation including dreams, visions, and divine speech. For example:
“God spoke to Israel in visions of the night.”
Genesis 46:2
While these modes affirm divine origin, the Biblical text itself does not establish a continuous, preserved chain verifying each transmission, which later contributed to textual variance.
Authority and Preservation of Revelation
The Qur’an asserts its own preservation as part of revelation itself:
“Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will preserve it.”
Qur’an 15:9
The scholars understood this verse as a divine guarantee. Al-Tabari (God Almighty’s mercy and blessings on him) explained that God Almighty took preservation upon Himself, unlike previous scriptures whose preservation was entrusted to human beings.
Regarding earlier scriptures, the Qur’an states:
“They altered words from their proper places.”
Qur’an 4:46
This verse was understood by Ibn Abbas (God be pleased with him) to refer to textual alteration and misrepresentation, not merely misinterpretation. This understanding was transmitted consistently among the early scholars of understanding.
The Purpose of Revelation
Both the Bible and the Qur’an affirm that revelation was sent to guide humanity. The Qur’an states:
“A guidance for mankind.”
Qur’an 2:185
The Bible similarly states:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalms 119:105
However, the Qur’an positions itself as the final criterion:
“And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming what came before it and as a guardian over it.”
Qur’an 5:48
The scholars unanimously held that the Qur’an judges previous scriptures, preserving what remains true and exposing what has been altered.
Conclusion
Revelation in Islam is a preserved, authoritative, and final communication from God Almighty, transmitted through clear means and protected by divine promise. While the Bible contains remnants of genuine revelation, its textual history demonstrates human intervention and loss of preservation.
Thus, the Qur’an stands not in opposition to original revelation, but as its completion and final safeguard.
All Qur’anic translations are based on classical meanings transmitted by early scholars of understanding. Biblical citations are referenced from standard Christian translations for comparative purposes. Scholarly explanations reflect the consensus and transmitted positions of the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to his noble companions (God Almighty be pleased with them).