A biblical examination of the teachings of Islam and the Quran compared to the truth of God’s Word.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” — John 14:6 (ESV)
Sections:
- Overview and Origins
- The Core Beliefs of Islam
- The Authority They Follow
- The Jesus of Islam vs. The Jesus of Scripture
- The Quranic View of Sin and Salvation
- The Role of Works, Law, and Submission
- The Afterlife in Islam
- How Islam Contradicts the Bible
- Why It Deceives So Many
- The Biblical Response to Islamic Claims
- How to Witness to Muslims
- The Bottom Line: Salvation Is Through Christ Alone
1. Overview and Origins
Islam was founded in the 7th century A.D. by Muhammad, who claimed to receive revelations from the angel Jibril (Gabriel). These revelations became the Quran, Islam’s holy book.
Muhammad declared himself the final prophet in a line including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, claiming to restore the “true” worship of Allah.
Islam means “submission.”
A Muslim is “one who submits” to Allah’s will.
The religion spread rapidly through conquest and later developed the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad) and Sharia (Islamic law) as guides for daily life and spiritual conduct.
2. The Core Beliefs of Islam
Islam is built on Five Pillars and Six Articles of Faith.
Five Pillars (Practices):
- Shahada — Confession that “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”
- Salat — Prayer five times daily facing Mecca.
- Zakat — Giving alms to the poor.
- Sawm — Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj — Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in life.
Six Articles of Faith (Beliefs):
- Allah (God) is one and without partners.
- Angels are created beings who serve Allah.
- The prophets, including Jesus and Muhammad, were messengers of Allah.
- The scriptures — Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran — were all revealed by Allah, though only the Quran is seen as uncorrupted.
- Judgment Day will determine eternal destiny.
- Predestination — Allah controls all things.
While moral discipline is strong, Islam’s god is distant and unknowable — unlike the personal, relational God of Scripture.
3. The Authority They Follow
Muslims view the Quran as Allah’s final revelation — perfect, eternal, and unchangeable.
The Hadith (collected sayings of Muhammad) and Sunnah (his example) also hold near-scriptural authority.
Together they form the foundation of Sharia Law, governing religion, morality, and civil conduct.
In contrast, the Bible declares itself complete and final:
Hebrews 1:1–2 — “In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.”
Revelation 22:18 — warns against adding to God’s Word.
No later prophet or book can overrule the revelation already given in Christ.
4. The Jesus of Islam vs. The Jesus of Scripture
| Islamic Jesus (Isa) | Biblical Jesus |
|---|---|
| A prophet and messenger, but not God. | God in the flesh (John 1:1,14). |
| Born of a virgin but not the Son of God. | The eternal Son sent from the Father (John 3:16). |
| Did miracles but did not die on the cross. | Died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). |
| Will return to assist the Mahdi and submit to Allah. | Will return to reign as Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 19:16). |
The Jesus of Islam cannot save — because He is not recognized as the Savior.
5. The Quranic View of Sin and Salvation
In Islam:
- Humans are born pure, not sinful by nature.
- Sin is disobedience, not rebellion against a holy God.
- Forgiveness is granted if one repents and performs good deeds.
There is no concept of substitutionary atonement — every person bears their own guilt.
Surah 35:18 — “No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another.”
The Bible says the opposite:
Romans 3:23 — “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
1 Peter 2:24 — “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.”
Islam denies both original sin and the cross — the two foundations of salvation.
6. The Role of Works, Law, and Submission
Muslims are judged by the balance of their deeds on Judgment Day.
If their good outweighs the bad, they may enter paradise — by Allah’s mercy.
But there is no assurance of salvation.
Ephesians 2:8–9 refutes this plainly:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Islam’s system of submission creates moral order — but no peace with God.
Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
7. The Afterlife in Islam
The Quran teaches two destinations:
- Jannah (Paradise) — reward for the righteous.
- Jahannam (Hell) — punishment for the wicked.
However, paradise in Islam is largely physical — gardens, pleasure, and luxury — not spiritual fellowship with God.
God’s presence is not the reward; pleasure is.
The Bible’s heaven is the opposite:
Psalm 16:11 — “In Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Heaven’s reward is not what’s there — it’s Who’s there.
8. How Islam Contradicts the Bible
| Islamic Doctrine | Biblical Rebuttal |
|---|---|
| God is one person, Allah. | God is one in essence, three in persons (Matthew 28:19). |
| Jesus was a prophet, not God. | Jesus declared Himself divine (John 8:58). |
| Jesus didn’t die on the cross. | The crucifixion is historically and prophetically proven (Isaiah 53:5; John 19:33–35). |
| Salvation by works. | Salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). |
| The Bible was corrupted. | God’s Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35). |
| Muhammad as the final prophet. | The law and prophets ended in Christ (Luke 16:16). |
The Quran honors Jesus — but denies everything that makes Him Savior.
9. Why It Deceives So Many
A. Simplicity of Worship — One God, one prophet, one book.
B. Structured Devotion — Five daily prayers and visible discipline appeal to human pride.
C. Sense of Community — Strong identity and belonging.
D. Moral Clarity — A rigid system that offers purpose without regeneration.
E. Fear of Apostasy — Leaving Islam can mean social rejection or death.
2 Corinthians 4:4 — “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers.”
10. The Biblical Response to Islamic Claims
Claim: “Jesus was just a prophet.”
Response: Jesus claimed equality with the Father (John 10:30) — no prophet ever did.
Claim: “The Bible was corrupted.”
Response: The Quran affirms the Torah and Gospel as valid (Surah 5:68); it never says they were lost.
Claim: “Good deeds save.”
Response: Isaiah 64:6 — “All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”
Claim: “God has no son.”
Response: The Son is not physical but divine — the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:14).
Truth must confront deception, not appease it.
11. How to Witness to Muslims
- Start with relationship, not argument. Respect their devotion but point them to grace.
- Use the Gospels. Muslims are often open to reading the words of Jesus Himself.
- Ask questions gently.
- “If no one can bear another’s burden, how can anyone be forgiven?”
- “Why does the Quran call Jesus ‘the Word of God’?”
- Avoid attacking Muhammad. Focus instead on the person and work of Christ.
- Pray persistently. Conversion from Islam requires a work of the Holy Spirit — not persuasion.
12. The Bottom Line: Salvation Is Through Christ Alone
Acts 4:12 — “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Islam calls for submission.
Christ calls for surrender.
Islam commands fear.
Christ offers forgiveness.
The Quran says, “Allah loves those who do good.”
The Bible says, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Final Reflection
- Islam offers religion without redemption.
- Reverence without relationship.
- Obedience without assurance.
But Jesus offers what Islam cannot — peace with God, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life through grace.
And one day, every knee — including every prophet and every believer — will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.