Before You Read — An Invitation, Not an Attack
This article is written with respect, patience, and sincerity. It is not an attack on Islam, Muslims, or their faith.
It is an invitation to consider what the Qur’an itself says about Allah (God), about His earlier revelations, about ʿĪsā (Jesus), and about where a sincere seeker is directed to find answers when questions arise. (Before preceding please read: Acts 17:16-34)
Many Muslims love Allah deeply, desire truth, and wish to obey Him. This article honours that desire.
Revelation Did Not Begin with the Qur’an
The Qur’an repeatedly affirms that Allah revealed guidance before the Qur’an.
- The Torah (Tawrat) was given as guidance
- The Gospel (Injil) was given as guidance and light
- These books came from Allah
(Surah 3:3–4; Surah 5:44–46; Surah 6:154)
The Qur’an presents itself not as a replacement that erases earlier revelation, but as a confirmation of what came before it.
(Surah 5:48)
When Questions Arise, Where Does the Qur’an Send You?
The Qur’an gives a striking instruction:
“If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, then ask those who read the Book before you.”
(Surah 10:94)
Related affirmations include:
- The People of the Book possess knowledge (Surah 3:113)
- They can bear witness to the truth (Surah 5:83)
This assumes:
- The earlier Scriptures still exist
- The people who read them still exist
- They are a valid reference point
- The Qur'an is not talking about itself and your teachers. It clearly points backwards, before the time the Qur'an was first written.
This creates a gentle but serious question: why would Allah direct someone outward if the earlier books were unreliable or lost? Why would Allah direct you to the followers of the Injil if they could not be trusted?
Can the Word of Allah Be Corrupted?
The Qur’an makes a clear statement:
“There is no changing the words of Allah.”
(Surah 6:115; Surah 18:27)
At the same time, the Torah and Gospel are described as revelation from Allah.
The Qur’an also states that the People of the Book are commanded to stand upon what was revealed to them:
“If they had upheld the Torah and the Gospel and what was revealed to them from their Lord, they would have consumed provision from above them and from beneath their feet.”
(Surah 5:68)
This presents a tension that deserves careful thought: if the earlier books are from Allah, and no one can change His words, how could they be corrupted?
Meeting ʿĪsā (Jesus) Through the Qur’an
The Qur’an speaks about ʿĪsā (Jesus) in ways that set him apart from every other prophet.
- Born of a virgin (Surah 3:45–47; Surah 19:16–21)
- Called the Word of Allah (Surah 4:171)
- Called a Spirit from Him (Surah 4:171)
- Performs miracles by the power of Allah (Surah 3:49; Surah 5:110)
- Raises the dead (Surah 3:49; Surah 5:110)
- Taken up alive (Surah 4:158)
- Still living
- Will return (Surah 43:61)
This raises an honest question: if ʿĪsā is only a prophet, why is he described so differently from all the others? Why was he treated so differently by Allah than the others? Why is he coming back? Why has he that authority?
An Unfinished Story
Every prophet’s story ends.
ʿĪsā's (Jesus') does not.
He was raised alive. He remains with Allah. He will return.
The Qur’an does not explain this fully. It leaves the story open.
Is there somewhere the Qur'an asks you to go to find out how this story ends?
Shirk — The Most Serious Sin in Islam
In Islamic theology, shirk refers to associating partners with Allah — giving to anyone or anything what belongs to Allah alone.
This is not considered a minor error. Shirk is regarded as the most serious spiritual offense in Islam.
What Shirk Includes
Shirk includes any act that compromises Allah’s absolute oneness (tawḥīd) by attributing divine qualities, worship, or authority to someone or something else.
- Worshiping or praying to anyone besides Allah
- Attributing divine status to a human being
- Saying Allah has partners, equals, or offspring
- Elevating prophets, angels, or saints to divine roles
- Trusting intermediaries as necessary mediators
Why Shirk Is Called “Unforgivable”
The Qur’an states:
“Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.”
(Surah 4:48; Surah 4:116)
At the same time, shirk can be forgiven if a person repents before death.
This makes shirk a matter of eternal consequence.
Why Christians Are Seen as Committing Shirk
From an Islamic perspective, Christianity appears to violate Allah’s oneness by worshiping Jesus.
Because Jesus is prayed to, trusted for salvation, and described with divine titles, Islam concludes that Christianity associates a human with Allah.
An Honest Question That Remains
The earliest followers of Jesus were Jews — strict monotheists who fiercely rejected idolatry. Some of his followers were the most devoted Jews (Zealots and Pharisee's) were capable of great violence to defend the monotheistic laws of Allah. One of them tried to single handedly wipe out this new "Sect of the Way" until he was confronted with the obvious truth of the scriptures.
Yet they worshiped ʿĪsā, prayed in His name, healed all manner of sickness and death in his name, and were willing to suffer and die for that conviction.
If worshiping ʿĪsā is shirk for the Jews, how did monotheistic Jews come to do this without believing they had abandoned the worship of the one true God?
This is not an accusation. It is an invitation to think carefully. Don't take our word for this look up the Qur'an for yourself. Pray to Allah for his guidance. What does submitting to Allah really mean?
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