Is the Qur’an copied from the Bible and Torah? This is one of the most common allegations made by skeptics and non-Muslims. The claim that the Qur’an was adapted from earlier scriptures like the Bible and the Torah is not new—it was raised even during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by some of his fiercest critics. However, a thorough, honest, and scholarly examination reveals that this accusation not only lacks evidence but also contradicts logic, history, linguistics, and religious testimony.
Let’s explore the response point-by-point.
✅ 1. The Qur’an Admits Similarity—But Claims Correction, Not Copying
The Qur’an openly acknowledges the previous revelations:
“This Qur’an confirms what came before it and is a guardian over it…” — Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48
Rather than hiding or denying shared narratives, the Qur’an confirms their original truth while also acting as a muhaymin—a guardian and corrector of what has been altered in past scriptures.
- The Qur’an corrects errors, fills in missing details, and removes anthropomorphic or immoral descriptions of prophets found in other texts.
- It never claims to be a completely new theology—but rather the final, pure continuation of previous divine messages.
✅ 2. Major Theological and Moral Differences
If the Qur’an were a copy, why are there:
- No references to prophets committing adultery, drunkenness, incest, or polytheism (as found in Bible)?
- No depiction of God with human-like weaknesses or regret?
Instead, the Qur’an presents:
- Prophets as sinless role models (e.g., Yusuf, Musa, Isa, Muhammad ﷺ)
- Allah as all-knowing, all-powerful, and perfect in judgment
These are not minor changes—they reflect a totally distinct moral and theological worldview.
✅ 3. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Had No Access to the Bible or Torah
- There was no Arabic translation of the Bible or Torah in 7th-century Makkah.
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was unlettered and had no teacher or formal education.
- Arabia had no libraries or seminaries for him to “study” from.
Even non-Muslim scholars like William Montgomery Watt and Karen Armstrong admit:
“There is no real evidence that Muhammad had access to any Biblical text.”
✅ 4. No Contemporary Accusation of Copying
If the Prophet ﷺ were copying from previous scriptures, his enemies would have used that accusation immediately. Instead, they said:
- “He is a magician.”
- “He is a poet.”
- “These are ancient fables.”
They never claimed he was copying the Bible or Torah—because they knew he had no access.
Also, many Jewish and Christian scholars listened to the Qur’an firsthand—some accepted it (like Abdullah ibn Salam), and others rejected it—but none exposed him as a plagiarist.
✅ 5. Presence of Unique Content Unfound in Earlier Scriptures
If it were copied, where are these Qur’anic details in the Bible?
- The full story of Dhul-Qarnayn (Surah Al-Kahf)
- Conversations of Iblis with Allah
- The detailed dialogue between Isa (AS) and Allah on the Day of Judgment
- The embryological stages of human development (Surah 23:12–14)
These elements are nowhere to be found in previous scriptures.
✅ 6. Surah Yusuf: A Case Study in Divine Revelation
- Jews of Madinah tested the Prophet ﷺ with the story of Yusuf (AS), assuming he wouldn’t know details of Egypt.
- The entire Surah Yusuf was revealed in one sitting, beautifully narrated with historical and emotional depth.
- The Qur’an even says:
“You were not with them when they plotted…” — Surah Yusuf 12:102
This proved:
- The Prophet ﷺ did not learn this story from others
- The story corrected Biblical errors (e.g., God regretting actions, improper depictions of prophets)
✅ 7. Qur’an Challenges the World to Imitate It
“Then bring a surah like it, if you are truthful.” — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:23
Would a plagiarized book challenge the world to imitate it? Would it use:
- A style unlike poetry, prose, or Biblical narrative?
- Language that has transformed Arabic literature for 14 centuries?
The Qur’an’s language is inimitable, even to Arab poets who were masters of language.
✅ 8. Abdullah ibn Salam (RA): A Jewish Rabbi Who Accepted Islam
- He was a learned Jewish scholar in Madinah who converted to Islam after meeting the Prophet ﷺ.
- If the Qur’an had errors or borrowed content from the Torah, he would’ve caught it.
- Instead, he said:
“This is not the face of a liar.”
He is even referred to in the Qur’an:
“…a witness from the Children of Israel has testified to its similarity and believed…” — Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:10
He lived through the revelation period and never objected to the Qur’an’s authenticity.
✅ 9. The Qur’an’s Self-Critique and Honesty
- The Qur’an corrects the Prophet ﷺ in verses like:
- Surah Abasa (80:1–10)
- Surah At-Tahrim (66:1)
No fabricated book would criticize its own messenger unless it was truly from a higher source.
✅ 10. Even Western Scholars Admit Its Originality
Some non-Muslim experts who deny its divinity still admit:
- Qur’an is not copied from previous scriptures
- It is powerful, original, and revolutionary
Examples:
- Karen Armstrong: “It is a literary masterpiece.”
- William Montgomery Watt: “Muhammad was no plagiarist.”
- Arthur J. Arberry: “The Qur’an is one of the most influential books in history.”
✅ 11. The Qur’an Combines Storytelling With Unmatched Eloquence
- The Qur’an is not just stories; it includes poetic rhythm, rhyme, legal principles, metaphors, and moral lessons—all in one consistent voice.
- In 7th-century Arabia, poetry was the most celebrated art form. Poets were given the highest status.
- Yet, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not known to write or compose poetry, nor did he ever participate in the known poetic circles.
Despite this, the Qur’an outclassed all poets in linguistic beauty—without following their poetic meters.
“And We have not taught him poetry, nor is it fitting for him. It is only a Reminder and a clear Qur’an.” — Surah Ya-Sin 36:69
This verse highlights that even non-poets could not have produced the Qur’an’s style—and it couldn’t have been produced by a poet either.
✅ 12. Immediate Memorization and Documentation (Huffaz & Scribes)
- From the very beginning, the Qur’an was memorized verse by verse by the Prophet’s companions (huffaz).
- Many Qur’anic scribes like Zaid ibn Thabit, Ubayy ibn Ka‘b, and others wrote down revelations immediately as they were revealed.
- This dual system of oral and written preservation ensured that no errors or distortions could enter.
✅ 13. Historical Manuscripts Confirm Qur’an’s Integrity
- Ancient manuscripts like the Birmingham Manuscript (radiocarbon dated to the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ or shortly after) perfectly match today’s Qur’an.
- The Topkapi Manuscript, Sana’a Manuscript, and Tashkent Manuscript—all from the first century of Islam—also confirm the same content we recite today.
📌 No other religious text has such continuous chain of memorization and manuscript confirmation.
Conclusion: Not Copied—But Revealed
The Qur’an is not a cut-and-paste from the Bible or Torah. It is a Divine revelation:
- It confirms previous messages but corrects their distortions
- It provides unique content not found elsewhere
- It passed the test of scholars, critics, and enemies
- It remains unchanged and memorized by millions to this day
📌 No human—especially an unlettered one—could have produced such a book.
➡️ The only logical conclusion: The Qur’an is the Word of Allah.
