Muslims claim the Qur’an is the perfect, literal word of Allah, but historical evidence and textual analysis raise questions about this claim. Early versions circulated before the final Uthmanic compilation, and internal contradictions, such as differing accounts of creation and scientific inaccuracies, challenge the idea of error-free revelation. Islamic scholars attempt to address these inconsistencies through abrogation, yet this suggests that corrections were necessary, which undermines the claim of perfection. In contrast, the Bible is affirmed in both the Old and New Testaments as God-breathed, historically reliable, and consistent across time (Psalm 19:7-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture provides a coherent revelation of God’s character and His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2; John 14:6). Unlike the Qur’an, the Bible does not require corrections, and its guidance for life and eternity is trustworthy and unchanging. Therefore, while the Qur’an’s reliability is questioned, the Bible stands as God’s inspired Word, offering a clear and dependable path to know Him and receive eternal life.
Devout Muslims teach that the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, is the inspired word of Allah through the angel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad. As such, they claim there are no errors in the Qur'an. However, a look at the origin of the Qur'an reveals that many early copies were in circulation before a final revision by Uthman in the seventh century. Once the final version was completed, all other unauthorized copies were to be destroyed. While Muslim scholars can argue that the Qur'an today resembles the Qur'an of the seventh century, the versions that existed prior to this authorized version are much disputed.
Further, even if this later authorized version were proven to be the same as the original version given to Muhammad, then it should exist without error. However, several researchers have noted a variety of historical and scientific errors in the Qur'an. For example, Surah 65:12 claims there are only seven planets. Just in our solar system there are several more. This does not include many additional planets being discovered beyond our solar system.
In addition, another scientific error can be found in Surah 54:1 that claims the moon was at one point split in two. No scientific evidence supports this. The Qur'an also speaks of the seven "atmospheres" of the earth, something that contradicts modern science (Surah 41:12).
Likewise, the Qur'an includes many self-contradicting statements. Muslim scholars generally respond to this criticism by the concept called abrogation, teaching that the later revelations supersede the earlier revelations. But if the Qur'an is perfectly inspired, then why would later revelations be necessary to "correct" or supersede previous revelation? For example, on three occasions the Qur'an teaches that the earth was made in six days (7:54; 10:3; 11:7). In other places, the earth was created in two days (41:9, 12), four days (41:10), and some add the days in Surah 41 to equal a total of eight days. In any arrangement, the totals do not add up.
If the origin of the Qur'an is uncertain and the internal evidence concerning the Qur'an offers inaccurate and self-contradicting statements, how can it be the product of a perfect God? In contrast, Christianity affirms that the Bible is God's inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), providing divine revelation necessary to know God and live for Him. Of utmost importance, it reveals how to know God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). Those who do so receive eternal life and a new relationship with God to empower their lives today.
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