All about Christianity versus Islam

Hey Christians, as Muslims, we also believe in Jesus (ʿĪsā عليه السلام) — that He was born miraculously from the Virgin Mary, spoke as an infant, performed great miracles, and will return at the end of times. However, our difference lies in how we understand His nature and mission.

On Jesus’ Divinity vs. Humanity:
The Qur’an emphasizes that Jesus was a Prophet and Messiah, honored and chosen by God, but not divine. He himself is recorded as praying to God, saying “Not my will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Prayer is only made by one who submits, not by one who is equal to God. Islam restores the message of Jesus as God’s servant, not God Himself.

On the Resurrection:
For Christians, resurrection is the cornerstone of faith. For Muslims, salvation is not based on a crucifixion but on sincere faith in God, righteous deeds, and His mercy. The Qur’an explicitly says:

“They did not kill him, nor crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them… rather, Allah raised him up to Himself.” (Qur’an 4:157–158).
Thus, Jesus was saved by God, not defeated by death.

On Sin and Forgiveness:
The Qur’an does provide a remedy for sin: repentance, prayer, charity, and seeking God’s forgiveness. God is described as Al-Ghafūr (The Oft-Forgiving) and Ar-Raḥmān (The Most Merciful). Forgiveness does not require blood sacrifice; God says:

“Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” (Qur’an 39:53).

On Uniqueness of Islam:
You ask if only one faith can be true. We agree — truth cannot be contradictory. Islam teaches that all prophets brought the same core message: worship the One God and live righteously. The Qur’an confirms the Torah and the Gospel in their original form but corrects human additions. In this way, it preserves God’s message pure.

On Jesus’ Childhood:
The Gospel mentions little of His youth, but the Qur’an gives additional detail: that Jesus spoke from the cradle, defending His mother’s honor and declaring: “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet.” (Qur’an 19:30). Even as a child, He declared His role as God’s servant, not His equal.

In short: Christians and Muslims share love and reverence for Jesus, but Islam sees him as a mighty Prophet, not God Himself. Our path to salvation is through pure monotheism (tawḥīd), good deeds, and God’s mercy.

classic set of missionary-style objections to Islam

Thank you for raising these points. Let me clarify from an Islamic perspective:

On the Bible’s preservation:
It is true that we have Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, but they are not the originals. They are copies of copies, written decades or centuries after the events, and they differ significantly (thousands of variants). Even Christian scholars such as Bart Ehrman, Bruce Metzger, and the translators of modern Bibles admit this. That’s why there are so many versions of the Bible today — Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox — with different canons and verses omitted or bracketed as doubtful (e.g., Mark 16:9–20, John 7:53–8:11).

On the Qur’an’s preservation:
ʿUthmān did not “burn rival manuscripts to erase diversity.” He standardized the script to avoid confusion of dialects, while the Qur’an itself was already memorized by thousands of companions. This oral transmission is unique to the Qur’an — it guarantees preservation beyond written copies. The different qirāʾāt are not “alterations” but authentic modes of recitation taught by the Prophet ﷺ himself, reflecting linguistic richness, not corruption.

Circular reasoning vs. evidence:
The Qur’an’s preservation is not claimed only by Muslims but is supported by manuscript evidence (e.g., the Birmingham Qur’an fragments, carbon-dated to within the Prophet’s lifetime), and the continuous oral chain of transmission for 14 centuries. No other scripture has this.

On Jesus and history:
The crucifixion is described as “historically certain” by some scholars, but history itself is written by men. Islam offers a different testimony preserved in revelation: that Jesus was not crucified, but raised up by God (Qur’an 4:157–158). For Muslims, God’s word is a higher authority than disputed historical reconstructions.

On “borrowing” from the Bible:
The Qur’an does not “copy” the Bible — it restores the stories in their pure form. Differences are not errors, but corrections. For example, the Qur’an exonerates prophets from grave sins attributed to them in the Bible (like Noah’s drunkenness or David’s adultery), preserving their dignity as chosen servants of God.

So, by the criteria of manuscript reliability, preservation, and consistency, the Qur’an actually stands unique: perfectly memorized, preserved in writing and recitation, and still recited daily by millions exactly as revealed. The Bible, while containing truth, has undeniably gone through layers of human editing and transmission.

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will guard it.” (Qur’an 15:9)

How the Qur'an is confirming modern scientific discoveries

The Qur'an's descriptions of the natural world, particularly the universe and human development, are seen by some as aligning with modern scientific discoveries. These include the idea of an expanding universe, the origins of iron, and detailed descriptions of embryonic development. 

These perceived similarities are often cited as evidence of the Qur'an's divine origin. 

Here's a more detailed look:

• Expanding Universe:

  The Qur'an describes the universe as expanding, a concept later confirmed by Hubble's discovery in the 20th century. 
• Iron and its Origin:
• The Qur'an mentions iron being "sent down" from the sky, which aligns with modern astronomy's understanding that heavy elements like iron are formed in giant stars and then dispersed throughout the universe. 
• Embryonic Development:
• The Qur'an provides detailed descriptions of human development within the womb, which are also supported by modern embryology. 
• Internal Waves:
• The Qur'an mentions the separation of water in estuaries, which aligns with the existence of internal waves, a phenomenon discovered in the 20th century. 
• Iron and its origin:
• The Qur'an states that iron is "sent down to earth" and not produced on Earth, which aligns with the discovery that heavy metals like iron are produced in the nuclei of giant stars and dispersed throughout the universe, rather than being produced on Earth. 
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• These points are often used to suggest that the Qur'an contains scientific information that could not have been known at the time of its revelation, thus indicating a divine source. 

Why are there a vast number of books explaining the Quran's meaning

The vast number of books explaining the Quran's meaning stems from several factors, including the need for interpretation due to the Quran's original Arabic language and the diversity of Islamic thought. The Quran, being a divine revelation, is interpreted through scholarly exegesis (commentary) and personal understanding, leading to various interpretations and explanations. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Need for Interpretation:

  The Quran is primarily in Arabic, and understanding its meaning requires a deeper engagement than simply reading the words. Scholars develop commentaries (tafsir) to explain the verses, their historical context, and their implications. 
• Diversity of Islamic Thought:
• Islam has a rich intellectual tradition with diverse schools of thought (e.g., Sunni, Shia, Sufi). Each school may have its own interpretation of the Quran and its teachings, leading to a variety of commentaries. 
• Scholarly Engagement:
• Quranic scholars have been interpreting and explaining the Quran for centuries. This scholarly engagement has resulted in a vast body of work, including detailed commentaries, theological treatises, and legal interpretations. 
• Practical Applications:
• The Quran's teachings have practical implications for Muslims' daily lives. Scholars and religious leaders explain how to apply the Quran's principles to contemporary issues, which has contributed to the large number of books explaining the Quran's meaning. 
• Different Modes of Interpretation:
• Some interpretations focus on the Quran's literal meaning, while others prioritize its allegorical or symbolic meaning. This variety in approach further expands the range of books and interpretations available. 
• Multiple Quranic Readings:
• There are different approved ways to recite the Quran, each with subtle variations in pronunciation. These readings (qira'at) also contribute to the diversity of interpretations as they can affect how a verse is understood. 
• Influence of Hadith:
• Hadith, or the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, are often used to clarify the meaning of Quranic verses. This has led to the creation of books that explain how the Quran and Hadith relate to each other. 
• Continuous Learning:
• Muslims are encouraged to continuously learn and understand the Quran. This has led to the development of countless books, articles, and online resources that make the Quran accessible to diverse audiences.

What makes the Qur'an understandable by anyone, anywhere and anytime?

The Quran is designed to be universally understandable because it offers timeless moral guidance, historical narratives, and promises of eternal life, accessible to anyone with a sincere heart. Its verses, while rooted in the specific context of 7th century Arabia, speak to fundamental human experiences and values that remain relevant across cultures and time.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Universal Principles:The Quran addresses core human concerns like faith, ethics, social justice, and the meaning of life, principles that resonate with people of all backgrounds.
• Time-Independent Lessons:The Quran's stories of prophets and their nations offer valuable lessons applicable to all humanity, encouraging reflection on our own choices and actions.
• Accessibility:While the language is Arabic, the Quran is readily available in numerous translations and interpretations, making its message accessible to a wide global audience.
• Focus on the Heart:The Quran emphasizes the importance of sincerity and a pure heart when approaching its teachings, suggesting that understanding is not solely dependent on intellectual comprehension but also on spiritual awareness and openness.
• Relevance Across Cultures:The Quran's emphasis on universal values and its timeless messages allow it to connect with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, promoting a sense of shared humanity and understanding.

Understanding time perception

During afterlife, time does not the same dimensions we have in our today’s life…

Let's know some truth about time mentioned in Qur'an:

• Resurrection Day is equal to 50 000 years :

Surah Al Maarij/Quran Chapter 70

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.

1. A questioner asked for a punishment bound to happen.

2. For the unbelievers, there is none to avert it.

3. From God, the Lord of the ascending pathways.

4. The angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him, on a Day that spans fifty thousand years.

5. So, be patient with a beautiful patience.

6. They perceive it as far off.

7. But We see it as near.

8. On that Day, the sky will resemble molten copper.

• A Day with our Lord is like 1000 years

Sourat 22-47. They challenge you to hasten the punishment, but God will never fail in His promise. A day with your Lord is like a thousand years by your calculations.

Sourat 32- 5. He directs the affairs from the heavens to the earth; then it ascends to Him, in a Day the measure of which is a thousand years according to your calculations.

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Besides Allah gives some examples for reflecting :

Death and sleeping time perception

• We have to know that we loose perception of time once we sleep or once we die…….
• Sourat 39-42. God takes the souls at the time of their death and those that haven’t died in their sleep. He retains those for whom death was decreed, and He sends the others back until their appointed time. In this are signs for those who reflect.

Sleeping time perception

• Sourat 18-9. Do you consider the people of the Cave and the Inscription as among Our extraordinary miracles?

10. When they sought sanctuary in the cave, they prayed, “Our Lord, shower us with Your mercy, and arrange our affairs with wisdom.”

11. Then We sealed their ears in the cave for some years.

12. Then We awakened them, to determine which of the two groups could best estimate the duration of their stay.

• We need to know that sleeping duration of the people of the cave had been for 309 years, yet once they wake up they felt as if they slept one night:

Sourat 18-19. We then awakened them, prompting them to question each other. One of them asked, “How long did you stay?” They answered, “We stayed a day or part of a day.” They concluded, “Only your Lord knows the duration of your stay.” “Send one of you with your money to the city, and let him find the best sustenance and bring it back to us. He must be discreet and not draw any attention to you.”

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25. They remained in their cave for three hundred years, and nine more.

https://www.surequran.com/18/#0

Death time perception:

• Sourat 2-259. Consider the man who came upon a ruined village and wondered, “How can God revive this after its death?” Then God caused him to die for a century and then resurrected him. He asked, “How long did you remain?” He replied, “I remained for a day or part of a day.” He said, “No, you remained for a hundred years. Look at your food and drink; they haven’t spoiled. And look at your donkey. We will make you a sign for people. Look at the bones, how We reconstruct them and then clothe them with flesh.” When it was made clear to him, he said, “I know that God is capable of everything.”
  

https://www.surequran.com/2/#0

The inhabitants of Paradise—they are the victorious.

This life is a test, for a true believer , the Quran is the final Devine message for humanity, and it's so explicit:

* So for a believer, life is s competition to get a huge reward, so he prefers to be ready to be successful, wants to be wise, works to follow Devine commandments, he knows that this life is short so he does his best to be on the right path and deserve Paradise
* As for an unbeliever there's no test, our life is just fun and then nothing, we just go, no God, angels, prophets, devine, scriptures and no judgement... He just don't care about Devine warnings... although, for sure, the challenge is so high, and a severe punishment is awaiting those who took this life as only amusement, and didn't pay attention for the devine warnings, ...when death comes they will see the unexpected!
Quran
Chapter 59
20. Not equal are the inhabitants of the Fire and the inhabitants of Paradise. The inhabitants of Paradise—they are the victorious.

21. If We had revealed this Quran upon a mountain, you would’ve seen it humbled, shattered from fear of God. We present these parables to people, so they may reflect.

22. He is God, besides whom there is no god, the Knower of the invisible and the visible. He is the Gracious, the Merciful.

23. He is God, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Sacred, the Source of Peace, the Giver of Faith, the Overseer, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Majestic. Glory be to God, far beyond what they associate with Him.

24. He is God, the Creator, the Inventor, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. All that’s in the heavens and the earth declares His glory. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.