Q: A friend of mine sent me a pamphlet and I have enclosed a copy of it. Would you please answer the following questions: The preacher that was mentioned says that the Qur'an clearly refers to the Injil (Gospel) and the Christians. In the Qur'an, it is mentioned that the Injil includes guidance and light (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:46); that the Injil is a guidance for all mankind (Surah Al `Imran 3:34); that the Jews and the Christians read Divine Books (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:113); that the Christians should be judged according to the Injil (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:47); and that if Muhammad has any doubts regarding the Qur'an, he should refer to the People of the Book (Part No. 3; Page No. 336)  (the Jews and the Christians) (Surah Yunus, 10:94). It is never mentioned in the Qur'an that the Injil had been distorted or that it is not trustworthy. If the Injil had been distorted, as many Muslims claim, it would not have been mentioned in the Qur'an that the Christians are People of the Book and that they read a Divine Book. If the Injil had been distorted or lifted to the heaven, as many Muslims claim, the Qur'an would not have advised the Christians to refer to the Injil as a judge, as it would not make sense for the Qur'an to tell the Christians to refer to an Injil that was distorted or lifted to the heaven. If the Injil had been distorted, the Qur'an would not have advised Muhammad to refer to the People of the Book. Did Muhammad ever have any doubts concerning the Qur'an?

The Committee replied as follows: Part (1) of the question: The Qur'an clearly refers to the Injil and the Christians, and mentions that the Injil includes guidance and light, and that it was revealed as guidance for all humans (Surah Al `Imran 3: 34)?Allah mentions the Injil in the Qur'an and asks its people to judge according to what was revealed by Allah in it, to believe in the good news Allah sent of the mission of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the obligation of believing in it. Allah even took a strong covenant from every prophet to believe in all the Messengers that He sent after him. It was therefore made obligatory for `Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) and his Ummah (nation) to believe in Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he was sent, as his Message was general, for all people, as Allah says: And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge among them by what Allâh has revealed, and follow not their vain desires. (Part No. 3; Page No. 337) Allah tells us that He revealed the Qur'an to confirm the previous Divine Books and prevail over them; it confirms what Allah wants to confirm and abrogates what He wants to abrogate. Allah praises those who believed in it from the People of the Book, whether they were the Jews or Christians, and He censures those who did not believe in it, broke the covenant, and disobeyed the commands of their Lord. Allah says: And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fâsiqûn (disobedient to Allâh and rebellious against Allâh’s Command). They will do you no harm, barring a trifling annoyance; and if they fight against you, they will show you their backs, and they will not be helped. Up to His Saying: Not all of them are alike; a party of the people of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Verses of Allâh during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer. They believe in Allâh and the Last Day; they enjoin Al-Ma‘rûf (Islâmic Monotheism, and following Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and opposing Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم); and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous. And whatever good they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for Allâh knows well those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2). Allah (Exalted be He) also says: ...and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud. And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognised. They say: "Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses. And why should we not believe in Allâh and in that which has come to us of the truth (Islâmic Monotheism)? And we wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection) along with the righteous people (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and his Companions رضي الله عنهم)." So because of what they said, Allâh rewarded them Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers). (Part No. 3; Page No. 338) Allah (Exalted be He) also says: Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allâh and His Messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. Up to His Saying: They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allâh (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allâh), and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded [in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] to worship none but One Ilâh (God - Allâh) Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory be to Him (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)." This is in addition to other Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) that were revealed praising those who believed in Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and censuring those who disbelieved in him.The Injil that Allah (Exalted be He) revealed to `Isa (peace be upon him) was the Book that heralded the coming of the Message of Muhammad (peace be upon him). But despite this, the Christians do not believe in him. However, you use as evidence the Qur'an, which was revealed to him by Allah, and still believe the claims made by the Jews that they crucified `Isa ibn Maryam and killed him. You claim that this was written in the Injil, but Allah declares you to be liars, as He did the Jews by saying in the Qur'an: And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah ‘Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allâh," - but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them [the resemblance of ‘Isâ (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)] You claim that `Isa ibn Maryam is the son of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He! High above having children) and He declares you to be Kafirs (disbelievers) when He says: (Part No. 3; Page No. 339)  Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allâh is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). You also claimed that he is a god with Allah, and so He declares you to be Kafirs when He says: Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no Ilâh (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilâh (God -Allâh). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them. You claimed that eating pork is Halal (lawful), and monasticism is a form of worship, although this was not mentioned in the Injil; this is a religion other than that which Allah revealed or declared lawful. After these claims and others that you fabricated, you claim that the Injil has not been distorted, that you have not hidden or added anything to it, and then you try to use the Qur'an to prove your claims and innovations. In doing so, you pay attention to the Mutashabihat (dependent Qur'anic verses, open to more than one interpretation or whose meaning is known only to Allah) and you avoid the Muhkamat (decisive legislative, independent Qur'anic verses, closed to interpretation), seeking to create confusion, twisting the words, and defaming the religion. Allah says: O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and pass over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much. Up to the last Ayah in which Allah says: O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) making (things) clear unto you, after a break in (the series of) Messengers, lest you say: 'There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner.' Allah also says: O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion up to His Saying: The Messiah will never be proud to reject to be a slave to Allâh If you do not do this, you will be (Part No. 3; Page No. 340) among those about whom Allah says: Verily, those who disbelieve in Allâh and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allâh and His Messengers (by believing in Allâh and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, "We believe in some but reject others," and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment.