Notes

why should i become muslim

Introduction: The Pattern of ‘Gospel’ (Injil) in the Qur’an as a Sign from Allah

When I first read the Qur’an it struck me in various ways. First of all, there were rather many explicit and direct references to the Injil (Gospel or New Testament). But the specific pattern by which the Qur’an cited ‘the Injil’ also intrigued me. Below are all the ayat in the Qur’an that directly mention ‘Gospel’ (Injil). Perhaps you may notice the pattern that I noticed. Note: I am using the Yusuf Ali translation.

It is He Who sent down to you (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). Then those who reject faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty [Surat 3:3-4 (Al-Imran)]

And Allah will teach him [Jesus] the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel [Surat 3:48 (Al Imran)]

You People of the Book! Why do you dispute about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? [Surat 3:65 (Al Imran)]

And in their footsteps [the prophets] We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah [Surat 5:46 (Maida)]

If only they [People of the Book] had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent them from the Lord. [Surat 5:66 (Maida)]

Oh people of the Book! You have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Law, the Gospel and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord [Surat 5:68 (Maida)]

Behold I [Allah] taught you [Jesus] the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel.. [Surat 5:110 (Maida)]

.. A promise binding on Him in Truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur’an [Surat 9:111 (Tauba)]

This is their similitude in the Taurat [Law], and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sent forth its blade, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem [Surat 48:29 (Fat-h)]

Notice how in all the references to the Gospel (or Injil) that ‘Gospel’ never stands alone. In every instance the term ‘the Law’ precedes it. ‘The Law’ is the books of Musa (Moses), commonly known as ‘Taurat’ amongst Muslims and ‘Torah’ amongst the Jewish people. The Injil (Gospel) stands unique among all the Holy Books in this regard: The Holy Qur’an never mentions it in isolation, but only after mentioning ‘Taurat’ (Law). But, you can find references to the Taurat (Law), and Qur’an that stand alone. Here are some examples.

We gave Moses the Book completing to those who would do right, and explained all things in detail and this is a Book which we have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that you may receive mercy [Surat 6:154-155 (Cattle)]

Do they not consider the Qur’an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah they would surely have found within much discrepancy [Surat 4:82 (The Women)]

So, we find that when the Qur’an mentions the ‘Gospel’, it always says it just after ‘the Law’. ‘Gospel’ never stands alone in the Qur’an. This is unique because the Qur’an can mention itself without referring to the other Holy Books. Likewise, it can also refer to the Law (Taurat) without also mentioning the other Holy Books.

The Pattern is Upheld even in the one exception
Only one exception to this pattern exists in the entire Qur’an. Notice how the following ayah mentions ‘Gospel’.

‘And we sent Noah and Abraham and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation and some of them were on right guidance but many of them became rebellious transgressors’. Then in their wake [Noah, Abraham & the prophets] we followed them up with our Messengers. We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and we ordained in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy. [Surat 57:26-27 (Hadid)]

This is the only instance of ‘Gospel’ (or ‘Injil’) not directly preceded by ‘the Law’. But the context of this ayah confirms the pattern. The preceding ayah (26) refers to the prophets Nouh and Ibrahim (Abraham) before referring to ‘Gospel’. But the Taurat (or Law) contains the accounts and words of the prophets Nouh and Ibrahaim. So, even in this exception, the pattern remains because the Law’s content precedes the mention of ‘Gospel’.

A Sign for us from the Prophets?
So is this pattern significant? Some may just dismiss it as a random occurrence or just a polite custom. I have learned to take patterns like this in the Books seriously. Rather it is an important sign for us, to help us realize a principle established by Allah himself. He set this pattern so we realize that we can only understand the Injil by first going to the Taurat. It is like the Taurat is a prerequisite before we can understand the Injil. It may be worthwhile then to first review the Taurat to prepare us to then understand the Injil (Gospel). The Qur’an tells us that these early prophets were a ‘Sign’ for us. Consider what it says:

O you children of Adam! Whenever there come to you Messengers from amongst you, rehearsing my Signs to you – those who are righteous and mend their lives – on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. But those who reject Our Signs and treat them with arrogance – they are Companions of Fire, to dwell therein forever [Surah 7:35-36 (The Heights)]

In other words, these prophets had Signs on their life with messages for the Children of Adam (us!). Those who are wise and prudent will seek to understand these signs. So let us consider the Injil by going via the Taurat (Law) first. We review the first prophets from the beginning to see what Signs they have given us. Our goal is to learn the Straight Way which Surah Al-Fatihah talks about.

We start right at the beginning with the creation of mankind. Then we continue with the Signs of Adam, Cain & Abel, Noah, Lut and the Signs of Ibrahim (I, II, III). Alternatively, you may want to start by exploring whether the Taurat, Zabur and Injil (that make up the al-Kitab or Bible) were corrupted. What does the Holy Qur’an say about this important question? And the Sunnah? And information from the science of textual criticism? Why not take the opportunity to get informed?