The Claim that the Qur'an Came to Replace the Bible

Many Muslims contend that the Qur'an, the Holy Book of Islam, came to replace the Holy Books of the Jews and Christians, as contained in the Bible, because they became corrupted, altered, outdated, lost, etc. However, the Qur'an itself says no such thing. Instead the Qur'an declares that it was sent to confirm the previous revelations. It should be understood that if something is to be confirmed, then that something is of extreme importance, especially if God does the confirming! Notice now the following references. The Qur'an did not come to correct, replace, annul, modify, or do away with; it came to CONFIRM!

And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you...
Surat-ul Baqara (2):41

And when there comes to them a Book (Qur'an) ftom God, confirming what is with them...
Surat-ul Baqara (2):89

... yet they reject all beside, even if it (Qur'an) be truth confirming what is with them.
Surat-ul Baqara (2):91

And when there came to them an apostle (Muhammad) of God confirming what was with them...
Surat-ul Baqara (2):101

And before this (Qur'an) was the Book of Moses as a guide and a mercy; and this book (Qur'an) confirms (it) in the Arabic tongue.
Surat-ul Ahqaf (46):12

And this is a book (Qur'an) which We have seat down, bringing blessings and confirming (the revelations) which came before it.
Surat-ul An'am (6):92

To thee (Muhammad) We sent the scripture (Qur'an) in truth confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety.
Surat-ul Maida (5):48

What was so important about these previous revelations that are now contained in the Bible? Why does the Qur'an say it came to confirm and to guard them? The Qur'an itself gives us the answer. It tells us that the previous revelations were sent to mankind as admonition, insight, mercy, guidance, and light -- and, of course, this light is the only light that can lead man from the darkness of sin and judgment into the splendor of salvation and eternal life. Here are the testimonies of the Qur'an:

And He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this (the Qur'an) as a guide to mankind. Surat-u Ali-Imran (3):3

It was We who revealed the Law (to Moses); therein was guidance and light.
Surat-ul Maida (5):44

We sent him (Jesus) the Gospel; therein was guidance and light.
Surat-ul Maida (5):46

We did reveal to Moses the book after We had destroyed the earlier generations, (to give) insight to men, and guidance and mercy, that they might receive admonition. Surat-ul Qasas (28):43

Once again it is extremely important for the Muslim to realize that the revelations spoken of above are the same as those found in the Bible. They are Signs from God, and, as such, must be believed upon in faith. The Qur'an is clear on this:

Then those who reject faith in the Signs of God will suffer the severest penalty, and God is exalted in might, Lord of retribution.
Surat-u Ali-Imran (3):4 Those who reject the Book and the (revelations) with which We sent Our apostles: but soon shall they know, - when the yokes (shall be) round their necks, and the chains; they shall be dragged along in the boiling fetid fluid; then in the Fire shall they be burned.
Surat-ul Mumin (40):70-72

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