Stories of the Prophets in the Qur’an

With the name of ALLAH
( God Almighty ) -The Bestower Of Unlimited Mercy, The Continously Merciful


Salaam/ peace ;

A Christian Friend - Canada

Title

Stories of the Prophets in the Qur’an

Date

01/Aug/2002

Question

Hi, I'm a Christian, but have also read part of the Qur'an.

I read the elucidation on the origin of the Qur'an, which say that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet by God. But when I compare its contents with the Bible, then most of them are the same, the figures, the events, etc. But why then have the stories on Moses, Noah, Abraham, David, Jesus etc., since they have been well known to the Mediterranean world already for 600 years, before the Islam?


And, even, the Old Testament stories some hundreds years more?

How should one regard this problem correctly? Could you guys please help him.

Thank you

Topic

Interfaith Issues, Prophetic Ethics, Other

Name of Counselor

Bilal Philips

Answer

Thank you for your question.

The stories of the Prophets have universal appeal, as they were chosen by God, as examples for humankind.


However, in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, the lives of the prophets were gravely distorted. Lies were told about them to such an extent that they were no longer examples of righteousness but examples of corruption!



For example, Prophet Lot is portrayed as having become drunk with his daughters and committing incest with them!


Prophet David is portrayed as lusting after a man’s wife, committing adultery with her and sending her husband off to the front lines of the battle to be killed!


As for Prophet Solomon, he is portrayed as worshipping idols in his old age!!!

Of course stories about Jesus, being God or the son of God, were woven into accounts called “gospels” and attributed to Jesus’ disciples. Consequently, the Qur’an cleared up these lies and elevated the prophets back to their proper status.



Thus, the Qur’an relayed the basic message of all prophets, in the most simple and clear terms: Worship God alone and do not worship false gods.



It should also be noted that the Qur’an only mentions the key points of the lives of the prophets, wherein there are moral lessons to be learned. So their stories in the holy Qur’an focus on the spiritual message and do not get bogged down with unnecessary details.


I advise you to compare, for example, the story of Joseph in both, the Qur’an and the Bible.

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/...=1123996015586







a related link :

The Story of John (Yahya)



http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1182774591617&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam%2FAskAboutIslamE%2FAskAboutIslamE




Verses of the day & night –


It is God who causes the grain and the fruit stone to germinate. He brings forth life from that which is dead, and death from that which is living. Such is God! How then can you turn away from him?

-Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:95


No want of proportion will you see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn your vision again: See you any flaw? Again turn your vision a second time: (Your) vision will come back to you dull and discomfited, in a state worn out.

(Al-Mulk 67:3-4)