Should a Muslim read the Bible? Does the Qur'an reject the Bible?
The Qur'an does not reject reading the Bible. Instead, it gives many positive references concerning the Bible and the importance for Muslims to read it:
"Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light" (Sura 5:44).
"And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil)" (Sura 5:46).
"It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong)" (Sura 3:3).
"And be not thou of those who deny the revelations of Allah, for then wert thou of the losers" (Sura 10:95).
In addition, the Qur'an calls the Bible the Word of God (kalam Allah) in Sura 2:75, the Book of God (kitab Allah) in Sura 2:101; 3:23; 5:44; 28:49, and the enlightening book in Sura 3:184. Further, the Qur'an teaches that Allah Himself sent the Law (of Moses) and the Gospels: "It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong)" (Sura 3:3).
The Qur'an calls the Bible, or parts of the Bible, a light (Sura 5:44, 46), an example (Sura 11:17), and a warning (Sura 17:4). It also states that the authors of the Bible were inspired (Sura 4:163; 5:111).
In many places and a variety of ways, the Qur'an's teachings overwhelming support the importance of the Bible and permit Muslims to read and learn from it.
As you, a Muslim, read the Bible's teachings, perhaps you will find that, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul" (Psalm 19:7) and that its teachings provide much to help in knowing information about the prophets spoken of in Islam, especially more information about Jesus as presented in the Gospels/Injils. If you have not read the Bible before, we would recommend starting with the Gospel of John. It was written by one of the closest followers of Jesus, who wrote down His teachings with the purpose of helping others understand Him and His desires for our lives.
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