Why This Question Matters
You may have wondered, “What is the name of the Muslim Bible?” It’s a fair question. When we think of world religions, we often compare them in terms of their holy books. Christians have the Bible. Jews have the Tanakh. Hindus have the Vedas. But what about Muslims?
For many Christians, this question arises when talking with Muslim friends, reading the news, or simply being curious about faith. Understanding what Muslims believe about their holy book doesn’t mean compromising our own faith. In fact, it can give us greater clarity, compassion, and confidence in conversations about God’s Word.
In this article, we’ll walk gently but clearly through what the “Muslim Bible” is, why Muslims call it something different, and how it connects (and contrasts) with the Bible we hold dear.
The Simple Answer: The Qur’an
The Muslim holy book is called the Qur’an.
The word Qur’an comes from an Arabic root meaning “to recite” or “to read aloud.” Muslims believe the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years (610–632 AD) through the angel Gabriel.
Unlike the Bible, which is a collection of 66 books written by many authors over centuries, the Qur’an is considered by Muslims to be one single book with one author, God Himself, delivered in the Arabic language.
So, if someone asks, “What is the Muslim Bible called?” the simplest and most accurate answer is: The Qur’an.
Do Muslims Have a “Bible”?
Here’s where language can cause confusion. Strictly speaking, Muslims do not call their book a Bible. The word Bible itself comes from the Greek biblia meaning “books.” Our Bible is a library of books, Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, all inspired by God.
Muslims believe in one single revealed book, the Qur’an, so they don’t use the same term. Still, sometimes people loosely refer to the Qur’an as the “Muslim Bible” just to compare it to what Christians use.
But for clarity, it’s better to say:
Christians have the Bible (Old and New Testaments).
Muslims have the Qur’an.
What About the Injeel, Torah, and Zabur?
Now comes an interesting part. Muslims don’t just believe in the Qur’an. They also acknowledge that God gave earlier revelations. These include:
Tawrat (Torah) – given to Moses
Zabur (Psalms) – given to David
Injeel (Gospel) – given to Jesus
Muslims say these were genuine revelations from God but that they were later corrupted or lost in their original form. That’s why they believe the Qur’an came as the final and perfect revelation.
This is why, when you ask a Muslim, “Where is the Injeel now?”, they may say: the true Injeel has been lost or altered, and what we call the Gospels in the New Testament are not exactly the same as what they believe God originally gave to Jesus.
Comparing the Qur’an and the Bible
To understand better, let’s compare:
| Aspect | Bible (Christian) | Qur’an (Muslim) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | “Books” – a library of 66 writings | “Recitation” – a single book |
| Language | Written in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek | Written in Arabic |
| Authors | Many human authors inspired by God | One source, believed to be God dictating |
| Timeframe | Over ~1,500 years | Over ~23 years |
| Message | God’s covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ | God’s final message through Muhammad |
For Christians, the Bible reveals God’s story of salvation, fulfilled in Christ. For Muslims, the Qur’an is the ultimate guide for life and law.
Do Muslims Use the Bible?
This is another common question: Do Muslims use our Bible?
The answer is no, not in worship. Muslims may study parts of the Bible historically or out of curiosity, but their prayers, sermons, and laws come strictly from the Qur’an and Hadith (sayings of Muhammad).
Some Muslims will point out that their Qur’an mentions biblical figures like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Mary, and Jesus. In fact, Jesus (Isa in Arabic) is honored as a prophet, and Mary (Maryam) has an entire chapter named after her.
But in practice, the Bible is not their scripture. The Qur’an is.
Do Muslims Believe in Jesus?
Yes, but differently than Christians do. Muslims believe Jesus (Isa) was:
Born of a virgin (Mary).
A prophet and messenger of God.
Given a book (the Injeel).
A miracle worker.
Taken up by God (not crucified, in their belief).
But they do not believe He is the Son of God or Savior who died for sins. That’s the key difference.
So when Muslims speak of Jesus, they mean someone who overlaps with the Jesus of the Bible but is not the same as the Jesus we worship as Lord.
Why This Matters for Christians
You may be wondering, why should Christians learn all this?
Three reasons:
Clarity – To avoid confusion when we hear terms like “Muslim Bible.”
Conversation – To better engage with Muslim neighbors and friends.
Confidence – To strengthen our own understanding of why we trust the Bible.
When we know what Muslims believe, we can lovingly explain what makes the Bible unique and why Jesus is central to our faith.
What Do Muslims Believe About Corruption of the Bible?
Muslims often say that the Bible has been changed over time, and that’s why God gave the Qur’an. As Christians, we believe the opposite, that God’s Word endures forever and that His promises in Scripture are trustworthy.
It’s important not to approach this with anger or pride, but with patience. We can gently share that the Bible has thousands of ancient manuscripts that preserve its message faithfully, while also respecting the sincerity of Muslim belief.
The Heart of the Question
So, what is the name of the Muslim Bible? The straightforward answer is: Muslims do not have a “Bible” as Christians do. They have the Qur’an.
Alongside this, they recognize the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injeel as earlier revelations, but only in theory, not in practice. In everyday life, the Qur’an alone guides Muslim worship and belief.
A Pastoral Reflection
As I reflect on this question, I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Acts 17 when he stood among the philosophers in Athens. He saw their altar to “an unknown god” and used it as a bridge to share the truth of Christ.
In the same way, when you hear someone ask about the “Muslim Bible,” let it be an open door to explain both what Muslims believe and what makes the Bible we love so precious.
We can listen with compassion, speak with gentleness, and point people always back to Jesus, the true Word made flesh.
Conclusion
If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this:
Muslims call their holy book the Qur’an, not the Bible.
They also recognize earlier scriptures like the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel.
But for Christians, the Bible is God’s final Word fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Understanding these differences doesn’t need to create distance. Instead, it can give us deeper insight, greater love, and fresh opportunities to share the hope we have in Christ.
