When we read the Qur’an we find explicit and direct references to the Injil. But the Qur’an uses a specific pattern when mentioning the Injil. Here are all the verses that mention the Bible in the Qur’an.
“He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Tawrat and the Injil. Before, as guidance for the people. And He revealed the Qur’an. Indeed, those who disbelieve in the verses of Allah will have a severe punishment, and Allah is exalted in Might, the Owner of Retribution.” (Al-Imran 3: 3-4)
“And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Tawrat and the Injil” (Al-Imran 3: 48)
“O People of the Scripture, why do you argue about Abraham while the Tawrat and the Injil were not revealed until after him? Then will you not reason?” (Al-Imran 3: 65)
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Tawrat; and We gave him the Injil, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.” (Al-Maida 5: 46)
“And if only they upheld [the law of] the Tawrat, the Injil, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord, they would have consumed [provision] from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them are a moderate community, but many of them – evil is that which they do.” (Al-Maida 5: 66)
“Say, “O People of the Scripture, you are on nothing until you uphold [the law of] the Tawrat, the Injill, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people.” (Al-Maida 5: 68)
“…and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Tawrat and the Injill…” (Al-Maida 5: 110)
“…[It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an.” (Al-Tawba 9: 111)
“…That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks…” (Al-Fath 48: 29)
We find a pattern in all the verses that refer to the Bible in the Koran is that the ‘Injil’ is not mentioned alone, but is preceded by mentioning of the Tawrat. But there is only one exception to this pattern.
“Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy…” (Al-Hadid 57: 27)
Nevertheless, the pattern is still the same, because where these prophets are mentioned? The answer is in the Tawrat.
The question that arises: Why is this Qur’anic style in mentioning the Tawrat and the Injil? Is there something important that the Qur’an wants to guide us to consider? Yes, there is something important, as if the Qur’an tells us that we cannot understand the Injil without studying the Tawrat, in the sametime, the Tawrat cannot be understood without knowing the full picture of the Injil. In fact, the message of the Tawrat and the Injil is one. The Tawrat and the Injil are a sign from God to guide us to the straight path.
Isa Al-Masih (His peace be upon us) said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (The Injil, John 5:39). He encourages us (His peace be upon us) to search the Tawrat, for the Tawrat testify of Him, and He stress that when He said, “Then He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms (the Zabour) concerning Me” (The Injil, Luke 24:44). I say to you, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Injil, Matthew 5: 17-18).
The Injil teaches that “All Scriptures (the Tawrat, the Prophets, the Psalms (Zabour), and the Injil) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (The Injil, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (The Injil, 2 Peter 1: 19-21). This leaves no doubt that the Tawrat and the Injil are the Thikr (Remainder), the Furkan, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfoz (Preserved Book), and the (Kalimatu Allah) Word of God protected from each alteration, distortion, and change for they are one of the signs from God.
