Name: Circle Period: 7A / 7B
The Bible and the Qur'an Compared
Introduction: The Christian Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Christian Old Testament is mostly the same book as the Jewish Bible, called the Tanakh. Muslims believe that the Old and New Testament were inspired by God, but that only the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book, is the perfect word of God. The Bible and the Qur'an contain many of the same stories. Read on to compare the similarities and differences between some of these stories.
Story 1: Noah's Flood
The Bible, Genesis 7:4-7:7
[God said] “Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made [because they are wicked]."
And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him [by building an ark (a ship)].
Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth.
And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood.
The Qur'an, Sura 11:42-11:43
As it sailed with them in waves like hills, Noah called his son, who was isolated: "O my son, come ride with us; do not be with the disbelievers."
He [Noah's son] said, "I will take refuge on top of a hill, to protect me from the water." He said, "Nothing can protect anyone today from GOD's judgment; only those worthy of His mercy (will be saved)." The waves separated them, and he was among those who drowned.
Story 2: Abraham's Father
Introduction: Jews, Christians, and Muslims all regard Abraham as one of the earliest prophets of God.
The Bible, Genesis 11:26
After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram [Abraham], Nahor and Haran.
The Qur'an, Sura 6:74
Recall that Abraham said to his father Ãzer, "How could you worship statues as gods [instead of the one true God]? I see that you and your people have gone far astray."
Story 3: The Birth of Jesus
The Bible, Luke 2:7- 2:11
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David [Jerusalem] a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The Qur'an, Sura 19:19-19:23
He [an Angel] said, "I am the messenger of your Lord, to grant you a pure son."
She [Mary, mother of Jesus] said, "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me; I have never been unchaste [i.e. never had sex]."
He said, "Thus said your Lord, 'It is easy for Me. We will render him [Jesus] a sign for the people, and mercy from us. This is a predestined matter.'"
When she [Mary] bore him [Jesus], she isolated herself to a faraway place.
The birth process came to her by the trunk of a palm tree. . . .
Questions
1) What happened to Noah's sons in the Bible? What happened to Noah's son in the Qur'an?
2) What was Abraham's father's name according to the Bible? What was Abraham's father's name according to the Qur'an?
3) Where was Jesus born according to the Bible? Where was Jesus born according to the Qur'an?
4) Why does it matter that the Bible and the Qur'an disagree on some information? [Write at least 5-8 sentences]