Should a Muslim read the Bible? Does the Qur'an reject the Bible?

TL;DR:

The Qur’an does not reject the Bible; in fact, it repeatedly affirms the Torah and the Gospels as God’s revealed guidance. Muslims are encouraged to read and learn from the Bible to better understand God, His messengers, and the teachings of Jesus.

what does the bible say?

The Qur’an does not reject the Bible but repeatedly affirms the Torah and the Gospels as God’s revealed guidance. Scripture shows that God invites all people to seek Him and gain understanding through His Word (Isaiah 55:6-7; Psalm 119:105), which points to the Messiah and leads to life (Isaiah 53:5; Psalm 22:16-18). The Qur’an acknowledges the authority of the Torah and the Gospels, calling them a light and guidance for humanity, and encourages Muslims to read them. It teaches that God sent these scriptures before the Qur’an as a foundation for understanding His plan. Reading the Bible allows Muslims to know God, learn about His messengers, and understand the teachings of Jesus more fully. Starting with the Gospel of John, for example, provides insight into Jesus’ life, His message, and the hope of eternal life.

from the old testament

God invites all to seek Him and call upon Him for understanding and life (Isaiah 55:6–7). We can do that by reading God’s Word (Psalm 119:105).
The Old Testament points to the Messiah (Isaiah 53:5; Psalm 22:16-18), which the New Testament reveals as Jesus Christ. Muslims recognize Jesus as merely a prophet, but not the Son of God. Reading Old Testament prophecies about Christ can help Muslims better understand who He really is—the Second Person of the Trinity.

from the new testament

The New Testament continues God’s call to know Him and His Word and shows that salvation and understanding come through Christ (John 5:39; John 14:6; Acts 17:11; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
All people–including Muslims—will benefit from the spiritual guidance and wisdom Scripture provides (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
In Colossians 3:16 Paul advises believers to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Though his words were directed at believers, they apply to anyone who reads the Bible and show the encouragement and heart change it can bring.

implications for today

The Qur'an does not reject reading the Bible. Instead, it gives many positive references concerning the Bible and the importance for Muslims 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).

The Qur'an also calls 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, and the enlightening book in Sura 3:184. Further, the Qur'an teaches that Allah sent the Law (of Moses) and the Gospels: "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).

The Qur'an calls the Bible, or parts of the Bible, a light (Sura 5:44, 46), an example (Sura 11:17), and a warning (Sura 17:4). It also states that the authors of the Bible were inspired (Sura 4:163; 5:111).

The Qur'an's teachings overwhelming support the importance of the Bible and permit Muslims to read and learn from it.

Muslims who read the Bible's teachings may find that, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul" (Psalm 19:7) and that its teachings provide much to help in knowing information about the prophets spoken of in Islam, especially more information about Jesus as presented in the Gospels/Injils. If you have not read the Bible before, a good starting point is the Gospel of John. John was one of Jesus’ closest followers and wrote down Christ’s teachings to help others understand Him and His desires for our lives.

understand

The Qur’an affirms the Torah and the Gospels and encourages reading them.
God calls all people to know Him and gain understanding through His Word.
Reading the Bible helps Muslims learn about God, His messengers, and Jesus’ teachings.

reflect

How open are you to exploring God’s Word beyond your current understanding to grow closer to Him?
In what ways could reading the Bible deepen your understanding of God’s plan and the teachings of Jesus?
How do you respond when God calls you to seek wisdom and guidance through His Scriptures?

engage

How does knowing that the Qur’an affirms the Torah and the Gospels influence our perspective on encouraging Muslims to read the Bible?
What can we learn about God and His messengers by comparing the guidance in the Bible with the references in the Qur’an?
How might studying both the Bible and the Qur’an impact Christians’ outreach to Muslims?