Six Clear Truths Proving That the Qur’an Has Not Been Taken from Previous Scriptures

Introduction

For centuries, mankind has pondered the mysteries of existence, seeking answers to life’s biggest questions—how did life begin, and what is our purpose? This search has led people through various religions and philosophies, combing through ancient manuscripts in pursuit of truth.

Then came the Qur’an, presenting the stories of past nations in a unique and awe-inspiring style. Its words stir the soul, soothe the heart, and captivate the mind. But as soon as the light of truth appears, critics rush to extinguish it, raising doubts and casting suspicions.

They claim that Muhammad ﷺ—a man who was known to be illiterate—borrowed from the scriptures of Jews and Christians, compiling their tales into what became the Qur’an. But they fail to realize that the difference between the words of the Creator and the distortions of man is as vast as the difference between the heavens and the earth.

How could a human produce something as inimitable as the Qur’an—words that speak to both intellect and emotion, uplifting the soul to heights never reached before?

Within these pages lies a decisive answer to this common accusation. We will dismantle this claim and expose its flaws, walking through history and analyzing how the Qur’an differs fundamentally from the scriptures that preceded it.

We will see, with undeniable clarity, how the Qur’an surpasses all other texts in its narratives and style, proving beyond doubt that it is nothing but divine revelation from the All-Knowing, the Most Wise.

Let us embark on this journey together, unraveling the truth hidden beneath layers of false claims, so that hearts may find peace and faith may be strengthened.

Between the Qur’an and Previous Scriptures: Facts That Dispel Misconceptions

Some Orientalists and skeptics have raised the claim that the stories in the Qur’an were based on Jewish and Christian scriptures and that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ derived these narratives from their books. However, upon careful examination and objective comparison, it becomes clear that this claim is entirely baseless. In fact, the fundamental differences between the Qur’an and previous scriptures prove the impossibility of such an assertion. Let us examine the key aspects that refute this misconception:

1. The Qur’an: A Continuation of Divine Revelation and a Correction of Alterations

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the final messenger, and he came confirming the divine messages that preceded him. The Qur’an affirms this truth, stating: "Say, ‘We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the descendants, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.’"(Ᾱl-‘Imrān: 84)

Thus, the stories of past prophets in the Qur’an are not based on previous scriptures but are divine revelation from Allah. As the Qur’an itself declares: "We relate to you the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’an, though before this, you were unaware of them." (Yūsuf: 3)

Islam acknowledges that the original revelations given to previous prophets were from Allah. However, over time, these scriptures underwent distortions and alterations. The Qur’an explicitly states:

So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ in order to exchange it for a small price.

Al-Baqarah: 79

Given this, it is natural that the Qur’an shares some similarities with previous scriptures in core theological principles and historical events. However, this only affirms the common divine origin of all true revelations.

At the same time, there exist major differences between the Qur’an and previous scriptures, revealing the Qur’an’s role in correcting the distortions that crept into earlier texts. Allah states:

And We have revealed to you the Book in truth, confirming what came before it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it.

Al-Mā’idah: 48

In the following sections, we will explore some of the most critical differences between the Qur’an and previous scriptures—differences that make it impossible for the Qur’an to have been borrowed from earlier books and prove that it is pure divine revelation, sent down to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by Allah.

2. Differences in Style: The Unparalleled Eloquence of the Qur’an

A comparison between the style of the Qur’an and that of the Old Testament reveals a vast and undeniable contrast, making it impossible to claim that one was derived from the other.

The Qur’an is marked by an elevated linguistic style, profound eloquence, and incomparable fluency, whereas the Old Testament, in several instances, exhibits a crude and unrefined style, sometimes reaching the point of absurdity.

Let us consider how each text describes the creation of the heavens and the earth:

The Qur’an states:

Say, ‘Do you indeed disbelieve in Him who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds. And He placed firm mountains on it, and He blessed it and determined its sustenance in four days for those who ask. Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come willingly or unwillingly.’ They said, ‘We come willingly.’

Fuṣṣilat: 9-11

This passage is eloquent, deep, and calls the reader to reflect on the power and wisdom of Allah. It describes the creation process with remarkable clarity and grandeur, emphasizing divine purpose and perfection.

Now, let us examine the corresponding passage from Genesis in the Old Testament:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:1-4

The contrast is stark. The Old Testament narrative is simplistic, lacking rhetorical beauty, and contains odd expressions, such as "God saw that the light was good"—as if God did not already know this beforehand!

This dissonance in style becomes even more apparent in passages like Hosea 1:2 from the Old Testament:

When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, He said to him, ‘Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord.’

Hosea 1:2

The crudeness and indecency of such language contrast sharply with the purity, refinement, and dignity found in every verse of the Qur’an.

The Qur’an is free from any form of linguistic degradation or indecency. It maintains a majestic tone, a harmonious rhythm, and a linguistic power that continues to challenge the greatest masters of Arabic literature.

It is utterly inconceivable that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—who was known to be unlettered—could have fabricated a scripture so vastly superior to the writings of earlier civilizations. The linguistic and rhetorical perfection of the Qur’an remains one of the strongest proofs that it is divine revelation and not a mere human composition.

3. The Difference in Describing the Divine Essence

One of the most striking differences between the Qur’an and the Old Testament is how Allah is described. The Qur’an exalts Allah above any imperfection and attributes to Him only the most perfect and majestic qualities that befit His greatness and transcendence.

Allah states in the Qur’an:

There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

Al-Shūrā: 11

This verse further highlights Allah’s infinite nature, which transcends human comprehension.

In stark contrast, the Old Testament portrays God in a way that limits Him to human characteristics, presenting Him in a manner unbefitting of divine perfection. For example, in Genesis, it states:

By the seventh day, God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day, He rested from all His work.

Genesis 2:2

This passage implies that God became tired and needed rest, an idea entirely incompatible with divine omnipotence. The Qur’an explicitly refutes such descriptions, stating: "And We created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, and no fatigue touched Us." (Qāf: 38)

Another disturbing anthropomorphic description in the Old Testament appears in Genesis:

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’

Genesis 3:8-9

This passage portrays God as if He were a human walking in the garden and unaware of Adam’s location!

Such anthropomorphic depictions stand in stark contradiction to the Qur’an’s absolute exaltation of Allah. The Qur’an states: "And they do not encompass Him in knowledge." (Ṭaha: 110) "Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him."(Al-Baqarah: 255)

The profound difference in how Allah is described in these texts proves that the Qur’an could not have been borrowed from the previous scriptures. Instead, the Qur’an restores the correct understanding of Allah’s majesty and transcendence, free from human limitations.

4. The Difference in How Prophets Are Described

Another major distinction between the Qur’an and the Old Testament is how prophets are portrayed.

The Qur’an presents prophets as the most righteous and pure individuals, divinely chosen to guide humanity. They are role models who embody virtue, wisdom, and devotion to Allah. Allah states: "And indeed, they are, in Our sight, among the chosen and the best." (Sad: 47)

This confirms that Allah protects His prophets from major sins and immoral acts.

In sharp contrast, the Old Testament attributes disgraceful actions to prophets, including drunkenness, incest, and adultery—claims that completely contradict their status as divinely chosen leaders.

First Example: Noah and Drunkenness. The Old Testament claims that Noah (peace be upon him) became drunk and lay naked in his tent:

He drank some of its wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered inside his tent.

Genesis 9:21

This disrespectful portrayal is completely at odds with how the Qur’an describes Noah as a righteous and grateful servant:

O descendants of those We carried with Noah. Indeed, he was a grateful servant.

Al-Isrā: 3

The Qur’an elevates Prophet Noah’s status, portraying him as a devoted, righteous, and chosen messenger—far from the indignities attributed to him in the Old Testament.

Second Example: Lot and Incest. One of the most shocking fabrications in the Old Testament is the claim that Prophet Lot committed incest with his own daughters:

That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

Genesis 19:33

This vile accusation is completely false and contradicts the Qur’an’s portrayal of Lot as a man of wisdom and purity:

And We gave Lot sound judgment and knowledge.

Al-Anbiyā: 74

The Qur’an exonerates Prophet Lot from such heinous claims, affirming his nobility, piety, and righteousness.

Third Example: David and Adultery. The Old Testament falsely claims that Prophet David committed adultery with a married woman and then orchestrated the murder of her husband:

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful... David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her... Then David sent orders to put her husband at the front line of the battle so he would be killed.

2 Samuel 11:2-17

This outrageous accusation against Prophet David contradicts the Qur’an’s depiction of him as a devout and righteous servant of Allah: "And remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength. Indeed, he was repeatedly turning back to Allah." (Ṣād: 17)

The Qur’an honors Prophet David, presenting him as a man of great faith, devotion, and justice—far from the immoral and treacherous image found in the Old Testament.

5. The Qur’an’s Freedom from Contradictions and Errors: A Unique Distinction

One of the most remarkable distinctions between the Qur’an and previous scriptures, including the Old Testament, is its complete freedom from contradictions and errors. This characteristic serves as undeniable proof that the Qur’an is the Word of Allah and not authored by any human.

Allah states in the Qur’an:

Do they not then reflect upon the Qur’an? Had it been from any other than Allah, they would have found in it much contradiction.

Al-Nisā: 82

This verse invites reflection on the Qur’an and emphasizes that its lack of contradictions is a sign of its divine origin.

In contrast, the Old Testament contains many contradictions and errors, which raise doubts about its accuracy and reliability. Here are some clear examples:

First Example: Contradiction in the Number of Soldiers

In 2 Samuel, it states:

So Israel had eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and Judah had five hundred thousand.

2 Samuel 24:9

However, in 1 Chronicles, a completely different number is given:

The number of men in Israel who drew the sword was one million one hundred thousand, and in Judah it was four hundred seventy thousand.

1 Chronicles 21:5

This major discrepancy in numbers casts doubt on the historical reliability of the Old Testament.

Second Example: Contradiction in Benjamin’s Descendants

In Genesis, it states:

The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

Genesis 46:21

Here, Benjamin is said to have ten sons.

However, in 1 Chronicles, the number is reduced to three:

The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all.

1 Chronicles 7:6

Such contradictions are abundant in the Old Testament, whereas the Qur’an remains completely consistent, despite being revealed over 23 years in different circumstances.

The Qur’an’s remarkable coherence in its laws, stories, and teachings further proves that it was not a human composition but a divine revelation.

6. The Illiteracy of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: An Unshakable Proof Against the Borrowing Theory

The fact that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was illiterate serves as one of the strongest refutations of the claim that he borrowed from Jewish and Christian scriptures. This historically proven fact presents a logical barrier to those who insist on the borrowing theory.

Allah confirms this in the Qur’an:

And you (O Muhammad) did not recite any book before it, nor did you write it with your right hand, for then the deniers would have doubted.

Al-‘Ankabūt: 48

This verse clearly establishes that the Prophet ﷺ could neither read nor write before the Qur’an was revealed. Let us analyze the implications of this reality:

1. The Impossibility of Direct Reading. Since Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was illiterate, it was logically impossible for him to read the previous scriptures. Furthermore, the Torah and Gospel were written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic—languages the Prophet did not know, let alone read or study.

2. Testimony of His Contemporaries. The people of Makkah, including his fiercest opponents, were fully aware of his illiteracy. For 40 years, before receiving revelation, no one had ever seen him reading or writing. Allah reminds them of this fact:

Say, ‘Had Allah willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you, for I lived among you a lifetime before it. Do you not then reason?’

Yūnus: 16

Had the Prophet ﷺ acquired knowledge from any human source, his people—who closely observed him throughout his life—would have known and exposed it.

3. The Vast Linguistic and Stylistic Difference. The immense difference between the eloquence of the Qur’an and the Old Testament’s style (as demonstrated earlier) makes it impossible that an illiterate man could have taken content from previous scriptures and then refined it into the Qur’an’s unmatched literary beauty.

Thus, Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ illiteracy serves as undeniable proof that he could not have borrowed from previous scriptures. How could an illiterate man produce a book of divine eloquence that surpassed the mastery of the most skilled poets and orators?

This fact alone solidifies the truth that the Qur’an is not a human composition, but pure revelation from Allah.

Conclusion: A Divine Revelation, Not a Borrowed Text

A meticulous comparison between the Qur’an and previous scriptures completely disproves the claim that the Qur’an was borrowed from them.

• The Qur’an’s unique linguistic style sets it apart from all previous scriptures.
• Its descriptions of Allah are flawless and transcend any human limitations.
• Its portrayal of the prophets is free from distortions and slanders.
• It contains no contradictions or historical inconsistencies.
• The Prophet’s illiteracy makes any borrowing theory impossible.

These clear differences eliminate the borrowed theory and prove that the Qur’an is a distinct, divine revelation.

Ironically, this very claim, which critics attempt to use against the Qur’an, becomes one of the strongest evidences for its divine origin.

How could an illiterate man produce a book of such literary, moral, and intellectual superiority, surpassing everything before it, without divine intervention?

The only rational conclusion is that the Qur’an is the Word of Allah, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.

Let us reflect on these truths, and increase in certainty that the Qur’an is a divine miracle—a guidance for all of humanity until the end of time.