The Islamic Dilemma

What is the "Islamic Dilemma"? The above image gives us the two horns of it. 

The Quran affirms the inspiration, authority, and preservation of the New Testament Gospels, as the following citations show conclusively. However, the Quran also contradicts the Gospels on many things. Therefore, the Quran cannot be reliable. That is the dilemma and the syllogism.

In my recent posting on Islam's denial of the crucifixion of Jesus (See here) I cited the following English translation in the Quran:

"Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are ˹truly˺ the rebellious" (Quran 5:47).

The verse preceding it reads like this:

"Then in the footsteps of the prophets, We sent Jesus, son of Mary, confirming the Torah revealed before him. And We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light and confirming what was revealed in the Torah—a guide and a lesson to the God-fearing."

These citations say that the Gospel (Injeel) is the revelation of Allah. They also say that "the Torah" of the old testament is likewise given by Allah. Allah tells the Christians and the Jews to judge by the Gospel and Torah. If that is true, then it implies that the Gospel and Torah have not been corrupted as Muslims claim. So we read the following in the Quran:

"The Word of your Lord has been perfected in truth and justice. None can change His Words. And He is the All-Hearing, All- Knowing." (Quran 6: 115)

"Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. None can change His Words, nor can you find any refuge besides Him." (Quran 18: 27)

If the Torah and the Gospel are given by Allah, and none can change his words, then Muslims cannot rightfully argue that the Torah and Gospel have changed or been corrupted so that none can know the true Torah and Gospel. But, Muslims do claim it has been changed. That is their dilemma. 

Now let us add these verses from the Quran:

"He has revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ the Book in truth, confirming what came before it, as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel." (Quran 3: 3-4)

"Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord—we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we ˹fully˺ submit.” (Quran 3: 84)

"If you ˹O Prophet˺ are in doubt about ˹these stories˺ that We have revealed to you, then ask those who read the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt, and do not be one of those who deny Allah’s signs or you will be one of the losers." (Quran: 10: 94-95)

The latter text actually says that Muhammad or any other person can prove or disprove what is in the Quran by ascertaining what was written prior to the time of Muhammad in the scriptures that were given by Allah in the Torah and the Gospel. 

How can Christians and Jews do what Allah commanded (judge by the Torah and the Gospel) if no one has it any longer? The Torah and Gospel that Allah told Muhammad to consult in the sixth century is the same that we have today. The Dead Sea scrolls show this to be so.

Of course, many Muslims try to deal with this dilemma, but they often fail. Thankfully, some see it and turn from Islam and embrace the Bible, believe in the true Jesus, and become his followers.