Dear Muslim Friends,

Is it OK for you to read the Bible? Does the Qur’an forbid it? Is it “haram”?

Actually, the Qur’an does not forbid a Muslim from reading the Bible. It speaks positively about it in several places. It encourages a Muslim to read it!

“Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light” (Sura 5:44).

“And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah – a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil)” (Sura 5:46).

“It is He Who sent down to thee (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)” (Sura 3:3).

“And be not thou of those who deny the revelations of Allah, for then wert thou of the losers” (Sura 10:95).

We can see that the Qur’an calls the Bible – or parts of the Bible:

  • the Word of God (kalam Allah) in Sura 2:75
  • the Book of God (kitab Allah) in Sura 2:101; 3:23; 5:44; 28:49
  • the enlightening book in Sura 3:184
  • an example (Sura 11:17)
  • a warning (Sura 17:4)
  • a light (Sura 5:44, 46)

Dear Muslim friends, it is more than OK for you to read the Bible! The Qur’an recommends it!

When you read the Bible, you will learn so much about the prophets that are in both the Bible and the Qur’an.

When you read the Bible – especially in the Injil – you will learn so much about the one you call Isa al Masih and we call Jesus the Christ (Messiah).

If you have never read anything in the Bible before, please consider beginning with the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament (Injil). You will be amazed by this unique man that you already respect as a Muslim.

As always, I love you my Muslim friends!