Biblical and Quranic Narratives - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

11/30/2014
BiblicalandQuranicnarrativesWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
BiblicalandQuranicnarratives
FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
(RedirectedfromBiblicalnarrativesandtheQuran)
TheQur'an,thecentralreligioustextofIslam,containsreferencestomorethanfiftypeopleandeventsalso
foundintheBible.Whilethestoriestoldineachbookaregenerallycomparableinmostrespects,important
differencessometimesemerge.AnythingintheBiblethatagreeswiththeQur'anisacceptedbyMuslims,
andanythingintheBiblethatdisagreeswiththeQur'anisnotacceptedbyMuslims.Manystoriesinthe
BiblearenotmentionedatallintheQur'anwithregardtosuchpassages,Muslimsareinstructedto
maintainneutralpositions,buttoreadthemandpassthemoniftheywishtodoso.
Often,storiesrelatedintheQur'antendtoconcentrateontheIslamicmoralorspiritualsignificanceof
eventsratherthanthedetails.[1]
Fromamodernscholarlyperspective,similaritiesbetweenBiblicalandQuranicaccountsofthesame
personoreventareevidencefortheinfluenceofpreexistingtraditionsonthecompositionoftheQur'an.[2]
FromatraditionalistMuslimperspective,suchadiscussionmakesnosense,sinceMuslimsbelievethatthe
Qur'anwassentfromGodthroughtheangelGabrieltotheprophetMuhammadinaseriesofrevelations,
andthisdivinelyrevealedtextwasthenprogressivelydictated(wordforword,andoverandoveragainto
makecertainthattherewerenomistakes)byMuhammadtothefollowersofIslam.Moreover,Muslims
believethattheBiblicaltraditionwascorruptedovertime,whereastheQur'anictraditionwasuncorrupted.
Contents
1Torahnarratives
1.1AdamandEve(AdamandHawwaa)
1.2CainandAbel(QblandHbl)
1.3Noah(N)
1.4Abraham(Ibrhm)
1.4.1Promisedason
1.4.2Sacrificeshisson
1.5LotandSodomandGomorrah(Land"ThePeopleofLot")
1.6Joseph(Yousuf)
1.7Moses(Ms)
1.8DestructionofKorah(Qarun)
2LaterHebrewBiblenarratives
2.1Gideon
2.2Saul,DavidandGoliath(Tlt,DwdandJalut)
2.3TheQueenofSheba
2.4Jonah(Yunus)andthe"whale"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_and_Quranic_narratives
1/20
11/30/2014
2.5Haman
3NewTestamentnarratives
3.1ZechariahandJohn(Zakariya()andYahya())
3.2Mary("Maryam")
3.3Jesus(Isa)
4Otherfigures
5Mixedsimilarities
5.1IdolcalfandSamaritan
5.2MiriamandMary
5.3HannahandHannah
6Seealso
7References
Torahnarratives
AdamandEve(AdamandHawwaa)
AccordingtooneofthevariousGenesiscreationnarratives,Godinitiallycreatedthefirsthuman,aman
namedAdam,fromthedustoftheground,andbreathedintohisnostrilsthebreathoflifethereafterGod
createdawomannamedEvefromoneofAdam'sribs.GodplacedthemintheparadisiacalGardenofEden,
tellingthemtoeatanyfoodtheretheywished,exceptthatfromasingletree,the"treeoftheknowledgeof
goodandevil",ontheunderstandingthatiftheydideatfromthetree,theywouldimmediatelydie.[3]
Accordingtothestory,aSerpent(oftenbelievedtobeSatan)temptedthemtopartakeoffruitfromthetree,
tellingthemthattheywouldbecomeliketheGodsthemselvesbydoingsoboththenatefromit.
Immediatelythereafter,theybecameashamedandcoveredtheirnakednesswithleaves.[4]Godquestioned
themconcerningtheiractions,remindingthemofHiscommandtonoteatofthetree.[5]Henextputenmity
betweenthewomanandtheserpent,andbetweenhumansandthe'tempter',[6]thenforcedAdamandEveto
leavethegarden,followingwhichthesetwohumansthenpopulatedtheearth.[7]
AccordingtotheIslamiccreationnarrativeintheQur'an,beforecreatingAdamfromclaybyutteringthe
simpleword"Be",[8]GodinformedtheAngelsofHisdivineplanto"createavicegerentonearth".When
theyaskedhim"willYouplacethereinonewhowilldoharmandshedblood,whilewe,wehymnYour
praiseandsanctifyYou?"Hesaid:"SurelyIknowthatwhichyouknownot."[9]AftercreatingAdam,God
taughthimthenamesofallthingsaswellasthoseoftheAngels,whichAdamthenrepeatedcorrectlyafter
theAngelswereunabletocomplywhenGodaskedthemtodosofromtheirownknowledge.[10]Godnext
commandedalloftheangelstoprostratethemselvesbeforeAdam,tohonourGod'snewcreationandto
displayobediencetoGod.[11][12][13]AllofthemdidexceptforIblis(thereafterknownasShaitaan),ajinn
whowasarrogantandrefusedtocomplybecausehethoughtAdamwasinferiortohimbecausehewas
2/20
11/30/2014
createdfromclay,whileIbliswascreatefromfire.Shaitaansubsequentlysworetomisleadmankindfrom
the"straightpathofGod",[14]andGodrespondedtohisarroganceanddisobediencebyexpellinghimfrom
Paradise.
TheQur'ansaysthatAdamandhiswifeweremisledbyShaitaan,whotemptedthemwithimmortalityand
akingdomthatneverdecays,[15]saying:"YourLordonlyforbadeyouthistree,lestyeshouldbecome
angelsorsuchbeingsasliveforever".[16]AdamandEvehadbeenwarnedofShaitaan'sschemingagainst
them,[17]andhadbeencommandedbyGodtoavoidthetreeShaitaanreferredto.AlthoughGodhad
remindedthemthattherewasenoughprovisionforthem"nottogohungrynortogonaked,nortosuffer
fromthirst,norfromthesun'sheat",[18]theyultimatelygaveintoShaitaan'stemptationandpartookofthe
treeanyway.Followingthis,their"nakednessappearedtothem:theybegantosewtogether,fortheir
covering,leavesfromtheGarden",[19]andweresubsequentlysentdownfromParadiseontotheearthwith
"enmityonetoanother".However,Godalsogavethemtheassurancethat"whentherecomeuntoyoufrom
Meaguidance,thenwhosofollowethMyguidance,hewillnotgoastraynorcometogrief."[20]
UnlikeChristianity,IslambelievesthatGodthoroughlyforgaveAdamandEvetheirtransgressionwhen
theybeggedHismercythus,therewasno"originalsin"(asinChristianteaching)thatwaspasseddown
fromAdamtohisdescendants.[21]
Amongthemanysignificantdifferencesbetweenthestoriesare:
IntheBible,Godtellsthemantonametheanimals.[22]IntheQur'an,GodteachesAdamthenames
"ofallthings"andAdamrepeatsthem.[15]
InthesecondoftheBible'screationstories,thewomaniscreatedfromtheriboftheman.Inthe
Qur'an,Eveisnotmentionedbyname,butitstatesthatallmankindwerecreatedfromonesoul
(Adam).[23][24]However,theProphetMuhammaddidconfirmthatEvewascreatedfromAdam'srib
(reportedinaHadith).
IntheBible,theforbiddentreenamedistheTreeoftheKnowledgeofGoodandEvil(3:5
(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=3:5&src=HE)),andwhileitsfruitis
oftendepictedasanapple,theBibledoesnotdescribethefruit.[25]IntheQur'antheforbiddentreeis
notnamedbutShaitaancallsitTheTreeofEternitytodeceiveAdamandhiswife.[15]
IntheBible,GodcreatesmaninHisownimage.[26]IntheQur'an,Godsays"Surelythelikenessof
(Prophet)Isa(JesusinBible)iswithGodasthelikenessofAdamHecreatedhimfromdust,then
saidtohim,Be,andhewas."[8]
IntheQur'an,GodtellstheangelstoprostratebeforeAdam(asasignofrespectandobedience),but
Iblis(thereafterreferredtoasShaitaan)refuses.[27]IntheBible,nosuchaccountisgiven.
AccordingtotheBible,becauseofGod'scurse,serpentshavetocrawlandeatdust,womenhaveto
sufferinchildbirth,andmenhavetosweatforaliving.TheBiblicalstoryalsostatesthatwomenwill
sufferfromperiodsandwillbearpregnancypain.[28]Thisapparentlydifferentiatesblessingand
obediencefrompainandsinning.AccordingtotheQur'an,nosuchcursewasissued.Thedifficulties
3/20
11/30/2014
oflifeoneartharewhatmakesitdifferentfromlifeinparadise.
(Seealso:Bible:BookofGenesis:2:4(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?
book=Gen&verse=2:4&src=HE),4:1(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?
book=Gen&verse=4:1&src=HE),andQur'an:SurahAlBaqara:3039,[29]SurahAlA'raf:1927,[30]and
SurahTaHa:115.[31]
CainandAbel(QblandHbl)
SeeGenesis4:116(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=4:116&src=HE)andAl
Ma'idaQuran5:2732(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/005qmt.php#005.027).
AccordingtotheBible,AdamandEvehadtwosons:Cain,theeldest,andAbel,hisbrother.Eachmade
sacrificestoGod,butGodonlyacceptedAbel'ssacrificeandoffering,andnotCain'sbecauseAbelgavethe
bestofhisflocks,indicatingthatGodcamefirstinhisheart.Cain,ontheotherhand,gaveasacrificefrom
thefruitofhisground,whichshowsthathewasmorefocusedupononlymakingasacrificeratherthan
pleasingtheLord.(Gen.4:17(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=4:1
7&src=HE)seeAlMa'idaQuran5:3032(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/005
qmt.php#005.030)).AlthoughGodattemptedtoremonstratewithCainabouthisattitude,Cainrefusedto
listenandultimatelymurderedhisbrother,Abel(seeAlMa'idaQuran5:30
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/005qmt.php#005.030)Gen.4:8
(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=4:8&src=HE)).Cainwassubsequentlycalled
toaccountbyGod,whocondemnedhimtoalifetimeofwanderingandfruitlesstoil,whilepromisingto
takevengeanceuponanywhotriedtoavengehisbrother'sblooduponhim.Abel,ontheotherhandwas
regardedbytheBibleasrighteous.
TheQu'ranrelatesaslightlydifferentversion:
RecitetothemthetruthofthestoryofthetwosonsofAdam.Behold!theyeachpresentedasacrifice(to
God):Itwasacceptedfromone,butnotfromtheother.Saidthelatter:"BesureIwillslaythee.""Surely,"
saidtheformer,"Goddothacceptofthesacrificeofthosewhoarerighteous.Ifthoudoststretchthyhand
againstme,toslayme,itisnotformetostretchmyhandagainsttheetoslaythee:forIdofearGod,the
cherisheroftheworlds.Forme,Iintendtolettheedrawonthyselfmysinaswellasthine,forthouwiltbe
amongthecompanionsofthefire,andthatistherewardofthosewhodowrong."The(selfish)soulofthe
otherledhimtothemurderofhisbrother:hemurderedhim,andbecame(himself)oneofthelost
ones.ThenGodsentaraven,whoscratchedtheground,toshowhimhowtohidetheshameofhisbrother.
"Woeisme!"saidhe"WasInotevenabletobeasthisraven,andtohidetheshameofmybrother?"then
hebecamefullofregrets.Onthataccount:WeordainedfortheChildrenofIsraelthatifanyoneslewa
personunlessitbeformurderorforspreadingmischiefinthelanditwouldbeasifheslewthewhole
mankind:andifanyonesavedalife,itwouldbeasifhesavedthelifeofthewholemankind.Thenalthough
therecametothemOurmessengerswithclearsigns,yet,evenafterthat,manyofthemcontinuedtocommit
excessesintheland.
ComparethelastpartwiththeTalmudYerushalmi(Mishnayot),MishnahSanhedrinTractate4:5,and
Folia23a,andintheTalmudBavliFolia37a.
'[]
4/20
11/30/2014
Therefore,humanswerecreatedsingly,toteachyouthatwhoeverdestroysasinglesoul[ofIsrael],
ScriptureaccountsitasifhehaddestroyedafullworldandwhoeversavesonesoulofIsrael,Scripture
accountsitasifshehadsavedafullworld.([32])
Noah(N)
SeeGenesis6:59:29(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=6:59:29&src=HE)and
mainlyHud11:2548(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.025)as
wellasAlA'raf7:5964(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/007qmt.php#007.059),
Yunus10:7173(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/010qmt.php#010.071),Al
Muminun23:2328(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/023qmt.php#023.023),
AshShu'ara26:105121(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/026qmt.php#026.105),
AlQamar54:916(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/054qmt.php#054.009),and
allofNuh71:128(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/071qmt.php#071.001)
NoahisdescribedintheBibleasarighteousmanwholivedamonga"wickedpeople".Goddecidedtokill
allthepeoplethroughavastflood,whilesavingtherighteousNoahandhisimmediatefamilysohe
commandedNoahtobuildanArk,usingGod'sowninstructions.(Gen.6:916
(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=6:916&src=HE)Hud11:39
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.039))Noahdidsoandhe,his
family,sevenpairsofbirdsandclean(hoofed)animals,andtwoofeachotheranimalspecies(afemale
andamale)boardtheArk(Gen.6:19(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?
book=Gen&verse=6:19&src=HE)Hud11:42(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious
texts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.042)).Watergushesupfromthegroundandrainsfallfromthesky,
floodingtheearthandkillingallthewicked.(Gen.7:1112(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?
book=Gen&verse=7:1112&src=HE)AlQamar54:1113(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious
texts/quran/verses/054qmt.php#054.011)).AllaboardtheArkaresafeuntilthewatersretreat(Gen.8:14
(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=8:14&src=HE)Hud11:44
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.044)).Thereisdisagreement
amongChristiansandMuslimsconcerningwhetherthefloodwaslocalorglobal.
ThereareseveraldifferencesbetweentheBiblicalandQuranicversionsofthestoryofNoah:
TheQur'anfocusesonadialoguebetweenNoahandthewicked(Hud11:3237
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.032)),inwhichNoah
unsuccessfullyattemptstoremonstratewithhiscountrymen,whorejecthismessage.TheBible
mentionsnosuchdialogue.
IntheQur'an,Noah'swifeandoneofhissonsrejecthim(Hud11:43
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.043))anddieinthe
flood,whilesomepeopleoutsidehisfamilyarefaithfulandjoinhim(Hud11:42
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.042)).Inthebiblical
narrative,Noah'swifetogetherwithhisthreesonsandtheirwivesallboardtheArk,butnoothers.
IntheQur'an,theArkissaidtorestonthehillsofMountJudi(Hud11:44
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.044))intheBible,itis
5/20
11/30/2014
saidtorestonthemountainsofArarat(Gen.8:4(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?
book=Gen&verse=8:4&src=HE))TheAlDjoudi(Judi)isapparentlyamountintheBiblical
mountainrangeofArarat.TheQur'ancitesaparticularmountintheAraratRange,whereastheBible
justmentionstheAraratRangebyname.ThereisaMountAlDjoudiinthepresentdayArarat
mountainrangeinTurkey.ThusthereappearstobenoconflictbetweentheBibleandtheQur'anon
thistopic.
Abraham(Ibrhm)
Promisedason
SeeGenesis18:115(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=gen&verse=18:115&src=HE),22:1
20(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=gen&verse=22:120&src=HE)andHud11:6974
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.069),AlHijr15:5156
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/015qmt.php#015.051),AsSaaffat37:102109
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/037qmt.php#037.102),andAdhDhariyat
51:2430(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/051qmt.php#051.024).Several
messengerscometoAbrahamontheirwaytodestroythepeopleofSodomandGomorrah.Abraham
welcomesthemintohistentandprovidesthemwithfood.TheythenpromisetheirhostthatIsaac(Isq
)willsoonbeborntoAbraham'swife,Sarah(Srah).Sarahlaughsattheideabecausesheisfar
toooldtobearchildren.
Genesis18:12(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=gen&verse=18:12&src=HE)"AfterI
amwaxedoldshallIhavepleasure,mylordbeingoldalso?"
Hud11:72(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.072)(Yusuf
Ali).Shesaid:"Alasforme!shallIbearachild,seeingIamanoldwoman,andmyhusbandhereis
anoldman?Thatwouldindeedbeawonderfulthing!"
Theangelsrebukeher,tellingherthatbyGod'swillshecanbearason.Aconversationensuesinwhich
AbrahamadmitsthathewishedGodtohavemercyonthepeopleofSodomandGomorrah.
Sacrificeshisson
Inanothernarrative,Abrahamreceivesacommand(inhisdream)fromGodtosacrificehisson.Abraham
agreestothisandpreparestocarryoutthesacrifice.Beforehecandoso,however,Godtellshimtostop
andgiveshimareplacementsacrifice.AbrahamissubsequentlyhonoredforhisfaithfulnesstoGod.(As
Saaffat37:102108(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/037qmt.php#037.102)
Genesis22:218(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=gen&verse=22:218&src=HE))
However,thereareseveraldifferencesbetweentheBiblicalandQur'anicaccounts:
InGenesis,thesacrificialsonisIsaac,whereasintheQur'anitisIshmael(Ism'l),sinceit
firstnarratesthisstory,followedbytheaccount(mentionedabove)ofAbrahamreceivingthetidings
6/20
11/30/2014
ofason,Isaac(AsSaaffat37:102112(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious
texts/quran/verses/037qmt.php#037.102).Therefore,MuslimsbelievethesacrificialsonwasIshmael
(Ism'l)andthatthiseventhappenedpriortoIsaac'sbirth.
WhileGodseemstospeakdirectlytoAbrahaminGenesis,HespeaksthroughavisionintheQur'an.
IntheQur'an,AbrahamdirectlytellshissonIshmael(Ism'l)thatheintendstosacrificehim.
InGenesis,AbrahamtellsIsaac,that"Godwillprovidethesacrifice."
LotandSodomandGomorrah(Land"ThePeopleofLot")
AccordingtotheBible,aftervisitingAbraham,twoangelsgotothecityofSodominwhichAbraham's
nephewLotisaforeigner.TheytellhimGodwillsoondestroythecitybecauseofthewickednessofthe
people.Themenofthecity,uponhearingthatLotisentertainingmalevisitors,convergeuponhishouse
anddemandthatthemenbebroughtoutsothattheycanhavesexwiththem.Lotoffershisdaughtersin
theirplace,butthemeninsistuponrapingtheangelsinstead.Afterblindingthecity'sinhabitants,the
angelstellLotandhisfamilytofleebynightandtonotlookback.Thefollowingmorning,Goddestroyed
SodomandGomorrahwithashoweroffierystonesfromthesky.Lot'swifelookedbacktoseetheburning
cityandwasturnedintoapillarofsalt.[33]
Thestorycontinuesfurtherafterthedestructionofthetwincities,withLotleavingZoar(wherehehadfled
forrefuge)withhistwodaughterstoliveinacave.[34]Fearingthatallthemenweredead,thedaughters
decidedthatinorderto'preservetheseedoftheirfather'andprocreate,theymusthavesexualintercourse
withhim[35]theydecidetogethimintoadrunkenstuporsoastobeableto'liewithhim'andobtainhis
seed.[36]Andsotheyeachsleepwiththeirfather(oneeachonsuccessivenights),havingintoxicatedhimto
apointwhereinhecould'perceivenot',[37][38][39]andthusgetimpregnatedbyhim.TheBiblethen
continues"Andthefirstbornbareason,andcalledhisnameMoab:thesameisthefatheroftheMoabites
untothisday.Andtheyounger,shealsobareason,andcalledhisnameBenammi:thesameisthefather
ofthechildrenofAmmonuntothisday".[40][41]TheBiblicalstoryofLotendshere.
AccordingtotheQur'an,Lot(orLut,asheiscalledintheQur'an)wasaProphet.Hewasalsoanephewof
ProphetIbrahim(Abraham).AgroupofAngelsvisitedIbrahimasguests[42]andgavehimgladtidingsofa
son"endowedwithwisdom"[43][44]theytoldhimthattheyhadbeensentbyGodtothe"guiltypeople"[45]
ofSodom,[46]todestroythem[47][48]with"ashowerofstonesofclay(brimstone)"[49]anddeliverLotand
thosewhobelievedinhim.However,Lot'swifewasspecificallyexcluded,withtheangelssaying"sheisof
thosewholagbehind".[50][51]TheQur'andrawsuponLot'swifeasan"examplefortheunbelievers",asshe
wasmarriedtoarighteousmanbutrefusedtobelieveinhiswordshence,shewascondemnedtothe
Hellfire.[52]
AccordingtotheQur'an,thepeopleofSodomandGomorrah,towhichLothadbeensentwithGod's
message,indulgedintheabominablesinofhomosexuality[53][54]uponLot'sexhortingthemtoabandon
theirtransgressionagainstGod,theyridiculedhim,[55]threateninghimwithdireconsequences.[54][56][57]
LotprayedtoGodtobesavedfromdoingastheydid[58]whentheAngelscametohim,hebecame
distressed.Knowingwellthecharacterofhispeopleandfeelinghimselfpowerlesstoprotectthem,hesaid:
"thisisadistressfulday."[59]Whenhispeopleoverjoyedatthenewsofnewvisitorsinthevillagecame
7/20
11/30/2014
tosnatchthemawayfromLot,[60]hetriedtoconvincethemtorefrainfrompracticingtheirlustsonthe
malevisitorsandofferedthedaughtersoftheworldinmarriagetotheminexchangeforthevisitors
release.[61][62]However,themenofSodomwereunrelentingandreplied:"wehavenoneedofthy
daughters:indeedyouknowquitewellwhatwewant!"[63]TheQur'andescribesthepeoples'statethenas
"...theymovedblindlyinthefrenzyofapproachingdeath".[64]SeeingthatLotwaspowerlesstoprotect
them,thevisitorsrevealedtohimthattheywereangelssentbyGodtopunishhispeoplefortheir
transgressions.TheyadvisedLottoleavetheplaceduringthenightandnotlookback,informinghimthat
hiswifewouldbeleftbehindduetohersinfulnature[65]andthatthey(theAngels)"...wereabouttobring
downuponthefolkofthistownshipafuryfromtheskybecausetheyareevildoers".Keepinghisfaithin
God,Lotlefthishomeandthecitiesduringthenightwithhisfamilyandotherswhobelievedinhim[66]
onlyhiswifestayedbehind.[67]
Whenmorningcame,[68][69]God"turnedthecitiesupsidedown,andraineddownonthemBrimstoneshard
asbakedclay,spread,layeronlayer",[70][71][72]puttinganendtothelivesofthepeopleandexclaiming:"so
tasteyeMyWrathandMyWarning!"accordingtotheQur'an.[73]TheQur'anreferstothesitesofSodom
andGomorrahas"signsforthosewhounderstandbyexample",forthosewho"caretounderstand"and
thosewho"fearagrievouspenaltyorapainfuldoom".[74][75][76]ThestoryofLotintheQur'anendsafter
describingthisevent,andthereafterisusedbyGodasanexamplestating"andmostsurelyyoupassby
them(SodomandGomorrah)bytheday,andatnightdoyounotthenunderstand?"[77]
ThereareseveraldifferencesbetweentheQur'anandBible:
IntheQur'an,Lotisdescribedaprophet,likehisuncleAbraham.InGenesis(Genesis19:129),Lot
isnotdescribedasaprophet.IntheNewTestament,(2Peter2:7,8)PetertheApostledescribesLotas
arighteousmanwhowasdailytormentedbythelawlessdeedshesawinSodom.
InboththeBibleandintheQur'an,AbrahampleadsforGodtohavemercy(Qur'an11:75
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.075)Gen.18:2433).In
Genesis,GodagreestospareSodomifjusttenrighteousmencanbefoundthere(buttheyarenot
found).IntheQur'an,GodcommandsAbrahamnottoaskformercyonthem.11:76
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.076)
InGenesis,Lot'swifeleaveswithLotbutturnsaroundbrieflyandGodturnsherintoapillarofsalt
(Gen.19:26).IntheQur'an,thereisnomentionofherleavingratherLotandhisfollowerswere
commandedbytheangelsnottoturn,butLotisinformedthathiswifewillturnandlookbehind
(quranhud11:123),andthusbedestroyedwiththerestofthetwocities.11:81
(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/011qmt.php#011.081)
FollowingthedestructionofSodom,theBibledescribesanincestouseventbetweenLotandhistwo
daughters,athisdaughters'behest,inGenesis19:3038.TheQur'andoesnotdescribeanysuch
event,andMuslimsrejectanysuchoccurrence.
NotethatMuslimsdonotbelieveinwhatcontradictswiththeQur'an.
8/20
11/30/2014
(SeeAlso:Bible:Genesis19:126.Qur'an:SurahAlHijr5777,SurahHud7483,SurahAlA'raf8084,
SurahAshShu'ara160174,SurahAnNaml5458,SurahAlAnkabut2835,SurahAsSaaffat133138,
SurahAdhDhariyat3137,andSurahAlQamar3639.)
Joseph(Yousuf)
ThenarrativesofJosephcanbefoundinGenesis3745andintheQur'an12.4102.
InboththeBibleandtheQur'an,Josephhasavisionofelevenstarsandthesunandthemoonallbowingto
himwhichheshareswithhisfamily.
(Genesis37:9)Andhedreamedyetanotherdream,andtoldithisbrothers,andsaid,"Behold,Ihave
dreamedadreammoreand,behold,thesunandthemoonandtheelevenstarsmadeobeisancetome."
(Yusuf|12.4)Behold!Josephsaidtohisfather:"Omyfather!Ididseeelevenstarsandthesunandthe
moon:Isawthemprostratethemselvestome!"
Joseph'sbrothersbecamejealousthattheirfatherpreferredJosephoverthem,andsotheyformaplottokill
Joseph.However,onebrotherconvincesthemnottokillhimbutthrowhimdownawellwhiletheyare
alone.(Yusuf|12.810Genesis37:2022)Theyagree.TheysubsequentlylietotheirfatherastoJoseph's
whereabouts,coveringhisclothinginbloodandassertingthatawildanimalhadattackedhim.Acaravan
passingthewellinspiresthebrotherstopullJosephoutofthewellandtosellhimasaslavetotradersin
thecaravan.LaterthetraderssellhimtoawealthyEgyptian.(Genesis37:2736Yusuf|12.2022)
JosephgrowsupinthehouseoftheEgyptian.WhenJosephisagrownman,hismaster'swifetriesto
seducehim.Josephresistsandrunsaway,butiscaughtbyotherservantsandreportedtohismaster.The
wifeliestoherhusband,sayingthatJosephtriedtorapeher.(Yusuf|12.25Gen.39:12)Atthispointthe
twostoriesdiffer.
IntheBible,Joseph'smaster(namedasPotiphar)refusestobelieveJoseph'sdenialandimprisons
him.
IntheQur'an,Joseph'smaster(whoisonlyidentifiedas"theVizier")acceptsthesuggestionof
anotherwisepersontocheckJoseph'stunic.Ifitistornfromthefront,thewisepersonasserts,itwill
proveJosephaliarbutifitistornfromtheback(asprovestobethecase),Josephwillbevindicated
andthemaster'swifeprovenaliarandanadulteress.TheVizierreprimandshiswife,andpermits
Josephtoremaininhishousehold.However,duringasubsequentdinnerpartythrownbytheVizier's
wifetoprovethereasonofherlustforJoseph,Josephiscommandedtoappearbeforethewifeand
herladyfriendstheycuttheirhandswithknivesoutoflustforhim,andalthoughtheVizieragain
recognizesJoseph'sinnocence,heordershimimprisonednevertheless.
Inprison,Josephmeetstwomen.Onehasadreamofmakingwineandtheotherdreamsofcarryingastack
ofbreadsthatbirdsareeating.JosephtellsthefirstthathewillservethePharaohagainandthesecondwill
beexecuted.Boththingshappen,preciselyasJosephforetold.AlthoughJosephasksthefirstmantobring
hisnameandunjustimprisonmenttotheattentionofthePharaoh,(referredtointheQuranasonlythe
King,notaPharaoh)thefirstmanquicklyforgetsabouthimoncerestoredtotheroyalfavor.
9/20
11/30/2014
Sometimethereafter,Pharaohhadadream:
(Genesis41:1724)"17.ThenPharaohsaidtoJoseph,"InmydreamIwasstandingonthebankoftheNile,
18.whenoutoftherivertherecameupsevencows,fatandsleek,andtheygrazedamongthereeds.
19.Afterthem,sevenothercowscameupscrawnyandveryuglyandlean.Ihadneverseensuchugly
cowsinalltheLandofEgypt.20.Thelean,uglycowsateupthesevenfatcowsthatcameupfirst.21.But
evenaftertheyatethem,noonecouldtellthattheyhaddonesotheylookedjustasuglyasbefore.ThenI
wokeup."22."InmydreamsIalsosawsevenheadsofgrain,fullandgood,growingonasinglestalk.
23.Afterthem,sevenotherheadssproutedwitheredandthinandscorchedbytheeastwind.24.Thethin
headsofgrainswallowedupthesevengoodheads.Itoldthistothemagicians,butnonecouldexplainitto
me."
(Quran:Yusuf|12.43)Theking(ofEgypt)said:"Idosee(inavision)sevenfatkine,whomsevenleanones
devour,andsevengreenearsofcorn,andseven(others)withered.Oyechiefs!Expoundtomemyvisionif
itbethatyecaninterpretvisions."
Pharaoh'scupbearer,whohadbeenpreviouslyimprisonedwithJoseph,suddenlyremembershispromise
andtellsPharaohaboutthemanwhoforetoldhisownrestorationtofavor.Pharaohsenttotheprison,
askingJosephtointerprethisdream.
IntheQur'anicaccount,JosephinsiststhattheVizier'swifevindicatehimbeforethekingbeforeJoseph
willagreetodoso(thisisnotmentionedintheBible)PharaohsummonstheVizier'swife,whoadmitsher
liesaboutJosephandproclaimshisinnocence.TheQur'annowrejoinstheBiblicalnarrative,whereJoseph
revealsthemeaningoftheking'sdream:Egyptwillhavesevenyearsofgoodcropsfollowedbyseven
yearsoffamineandthefaminewillbeworsethantheabundance.ThekingrewardedJosephbygivinghim
chargeoverthestorehousesandtheentirelandofEgypt.
Duringthefamine,Joseph'sbrotherscametoEgypttobuyfood,buttheyoungestwasleftwiththeirfather.
WhileJosephrecognizedthem,theydidnotrecognizehim.Hedemandedthattheyreturnwiththemissing
brother.ThebrothersreturnhomeandfindthatJosephhadhiddenintheirpacksmorethantheypaidfor.
Theyaskedtheirfatheriftheymightreturnwiththeyoungestbrother.Reluctantly,theirfatherallowsthis.
Theyreturn,andaftersomefurtherincidentsJosephultimatelyrevealshimselftohisbrothers.(Genesis
45:1Yusuf|12.90).
InboththeQuranandtheBible,themissingbrotherisBenjamin,(Arabic:
)Joseph'sonlyfullblood
brother.Theothersarehalfbrothers.
Moses(Ms)
IntheBible,thenarrativesofMosesareinExodus,Leviticus,Numbers,andDeuteronomy.Thenarratives
herearemostlyinExodus114and32.IntheQur'an,theMosesnarrativesareinthefollowingpassages:
2.4961,7.103160,10.7593,17.101104,20.997,26.1066,27.714,28.346,40.2330,43.4655,44.17
31,and79.1525.
PharaohslewtheyoungmalechildrenoftheIsraelites(II:46).Moses'mothercastMosesasaninfantintoa
smallark.Godprotectedhim.MoseswasfoundbythehouseholdofPharaoh.Theyadoptedhim.Moses'
sister,Miriam,hadfollowedMoses.Whenhewasfound,sherecommendedthathisownmotherserveas
nursetohim.WhenMosesbecameanadult,hesawanEgyptianfightingwithanIsraelite.Moses
intercededandkilledtheEgyptian.ThenextdayMosessawtheIsraelitewhomhesaved."Doyouintendto
10/20
11/30/2014
killmeasyoukilledtheEgyptian?"heasks.PharaohtriedtohaveMoseskilledandMosesfled.Hewentto
awateringplaceinMidian.Hemetsomesistersandwateredtheirherd.Whenthewomen'sfather,Jethro,
learnedofMoses,heinvitedhimtostayandgavehimadaughter,Zipporah,tomarry.
InMidian,Mosessawafireandapproachedit.Godspoketohim,andtoldhimtoremovehisshoes.God
saidthathehadchosenMoses.Godsaidtothrowdownhisstaffandtostretchouthisarmassigns.His
staffturnedintoaserpentandthenreturnedtotheformofastaff.Hisarmbecamewhitealthoughhewas
notsick.GodcommandedhimtogotoPharaohtodeliveramessage.Mosessaidthathecouldnotspeak
well.SoGodprovidedAaron,hisbrother,tohelpMosesspeak.
GodsentMosestothecourtofPharaoh.PharaohrefusedtolistentoMoses.Mosesthrewdownhisstaff
anditbecameaserpent.Pharaoh'smagiciansalsothrewdowntheirstaffswhichturnedintosnakes.Butthe
snakesofPharaoh'smagicianswereswallowedbyMoses'serpent.Godcausedafamine.Godsentplagues
oflocusts,frogs,blood,anddestruction.GodsentatleastninesignstoPharaohbutPharaohdisregardedthe
firstfewsignsandwhenhecouldn'tdisregardthemanylonger,heagreedtolettheIsraelitesgobutafter
Godallowedtranquility,PharaohstillstubbornlyrefusedtolettheIsraelitesgosoGodmadeeveryfirst
bornEgyptiansondieandsparedeveryIsraelite(thefirstPassover).Pharaohbecamehystericaland
demandedthatMosesandtheIsraelitesleaveatonceonlytopursuethemwithhisarmyaftertheirexit.
ThenGodhelpedMosesleadtheIsraelitesintoadesertandacrossasea.Mosesstrucktheseawithhisstaff
andtheseasplitinhalfexposingdryland(whilecreatingawallofwateroneachside)fortheIsraelitesto
walkthrough.PharaohandhisarmywerecatchinguptotheIsraelitesbutthewaterreturnedtoitsoriginal
state.Pharaohandhisarmydrowned.(Exodus14:7,II:47)
MoseslefttheHebrewsforfortynights.HeputhisbrotherAaroninchargeofthepeople(AlBaqara|2.48)
Onamountain,GodgaveMosesarevelationofpreceptsforIsraeltofollow.Godmadetabletswithwriting
onthemwhichMosescarriedbacktoIsrael.
MosesaskedtoseeGod.Thepeoplesawthefireandlightningandthemountainandareafraid.While
Mosesisgone,theIsraelitesdemandedtoworshipanidol.Theyusedthegoldfromtheirornamentsto
constructagoldencalfwhomtheysaidwasthegodwhorescuedthemfromEgypt.Aarondoesnotstop
them.ThenMosesreturnedandchastisedthemandAaron.Manywerekilledfortheiraction.Godsent
downmannaandquailtoeatbuttheHebrewsstillrebelledagainstGod,andcomplainedaboutthefood.
MosesaskedGodforwaterandGodansweredhim.Mosesstruckastonewithhisstaffandwatercame
forth.TheIsraelitesweredividedintotwelvetribes.
GodgavetheIsraelitesabountifulland,butthisoccurredatdifferenttimesinthetwoscriptures.Besides
thatandthemanyadditionaldetailsintheTorah,thereareotherdifferences:
TheBiblicalMosesisreluctanttobecomeaprophetandmakesexcuses.Heeventuallyagreesand
AaronspeaksandperformsmiraclesatfirstuntilMosesisreadyandtakesover.InQuran,Aaronwas
madeGod'smessengeronMoses'requesttobackhimupinthedifficulttask.MosesaskedGodto
givehimhumansupportfromFamily,thenaskforAaron(hisbrother)praisingAaronbysayingthat
he(Aaron)isbetterspeakerthanhim(Moses).
Thesorcerers,intheQuranicstory,repentafterseeingMoses'signsandsubmittoGodattheangerof
Pharaoh.
IntheQuran,Pharaohdidn'trepentbuttriedtodeceiveMosesandGodbysayingthatnowhe
11/20
11/30/2014
believesinoneGod,theGodofMosesandAaron(whiledrowning).ButGoddidn'tacceptthis
becausehesoughtrepentanceatthetimeofdeathafterseeingtheangels.
IntheBible,MosesfirstgoestoPharaohwithoutshowinganysigns.
InExodus,Aaronhelpsmakethegoldencalf.IntheQuran,AaronhimselfwasamessengerofGod
andwasrepresentingMosesinhisabsences.Heopposedthatideawithallhismightandwarnedthe
IsraelitesthatGodwillbeangrywiththem.
PharaohdrownsinExodus.IntheQuran,Pharaohdrownedaswell,andGodsaidintheQur'anthat
hekeptpharaoh'sbodyasanexampleforgenerationstocome(ormadeanexampleforcoming
generations)
SeealsoAaron,IslamicviewofAaron,andIslamicviewofPharaoh.
DestructionofKorah(Qarun)
ThestoryofthedestructionofKorahappearsinNumbers16:150intheTorahandinAlQasas7682in
theQuran.KorahwasanIsraelitelivingduringthetimeofMoses.Becauseofhiswickedness,Godcaused
himtodiebyopeningthegroundandswallowinghimandhishome(Numbers16:3133AlQasas|28.81).
IntheQur'an,Karonissimplyarichmanwhoistooarrogant.IntheTorah,heleadsaminorrebellion
againstMoses.Godalsokillstheotherswhorebelwithhimanddestroystheirhomes.
LaterHebrewBiblenarratives
Gideon
IntheBible,bothGideonandSaularemilitaryleadersofIsraelbetweentheExodusandExile.IntheBook
ofJudgesintheBible,GideonishesitantaboutleadingtheHebrewstobattle.TodemonstrateGod'spower,
GodtellsGideontoobservewhenthetroopsreachariverandwhoeverdrinkswithouthishandsGideon
mustsendhome.TheHebrewslaterhavevictory.
IntheQur'an,thesameeventhappenstoSaulonthewaytomeetGoliath.IntheBiblicalaccountofSaul
andGoliath,SaulisalsohesitantaboutthebattlewithGoliath'sarmybutDavidwinsthebattleforIsrael.
Saul,DavidandGoliath(Tlt,DwdandJalut)
Thestoryappearsin1Samuel812and17:158andinSurah2246248andSurah2249251.
AprophetofIsraelappointsSaulaskingaftertheIsraelitespetitiontheprophetforaking(Samuel9:17
AlBaqarah|2.247).AtleastafewpeoplearenothappywithSamuel'schoice.Saulisgoingintobattlewith
hisarmyandisunsureabouthisvictory.DavidkillsGoliath,asignificantwarriorintheopposingarmy
(Samuel17:50AlBaqarah|2.251).IntheBible,GoliathisthechampionofthePhilistinearmy.Inthe
Qur'an,heistheleader.TheaccountalsobearssimilaritytowhenGideonledanarmy.SeeMixed
Similarities.
TheQueenofSheba
12/20
11/30/2014
Thestoryappearsin1Kings10:113and2Chronicles9:113andinversesSurah272044.Thetwo
storieshavealmostnothingincommon.Ineach,theQueenofShebacomestovisitSolomonandis
impressedbyhiswisdomandriches.IntheBible,thevisitisonlydiplomatic.IntheQur'an,theQueen
becomesmonotheistandpeaceisestablishedinthekingdoms.AlthoughnotpartoftheQur'an,Islamic
traditionholdsthatthenameoftheQueenofShebaisBilqisorBalqis.
Jonah(Yunus)andthe"whale"
InboththeBibleandtheQur'an,Jonahisswallowedbya"bigfish",usuallyinferredtobeawhale.The
BookofJonahintheBibleconsistsoffourchaptersaboutJonah'smissiontoNineveh.Thestoryis
referencedthreetimesintheQur'an:inverses139148ofSura37(AsSaaffat)(Thosewhosettheranks),
verses8788ofSura21:alAnbiya'(TheProphets)andverses4850ofSura68:alQalam(ThePen)/Nun.
Itismentionedinverse98ofSura10:Yunus(Jonah)andverse86ofSura6:alAn'am(TheCattle).
IntheQur'an,JonahgetsfrustratedbyhisownpeopleandabandonsthemtoGod'smercy,howeverwithout
askingpermissionfromGodandthusgoingagainsthisgivenresponsibility.IntheQuran,itisalso
mentionedthatifJonahhadnotprayedinsidethebellyofthefishhewouldhavestayedinthereuntilthe
Judgementday.IntheBible,JonahpaysafaretosailtoTarshish.Inbothstories,heboardstheshiploaded
withpassengers,lotsarecastandJonahisthrownoverboardandswallowedbyalargefish(Jonah1:17,As
Saaffat37|142).Afterpraying,heiscastoutofthefishandwashedashore,andGodcausesagourdtogrow
(37|146)orweeds(2:5).IntheBible,JonahcontinuesintoNineveh,andthecityissparedbyGod.Inboth
BibleandQuran,GodcausesthegourdtogrowtocomfortJonahafterheliesontheshoreinasicklystate,
Jonah(4:6),(AsSaaffat37|145).AccordingtoanIslamictraditionhowever,thebigfishgetsfrightenedat
first,fearingitmighthaveswallowedaholypersonasitheardprayersandsupplicationsreadina
wonderfulvoicefromherstomach,hearingwhichnumerousseacreatureshadsurroundedit.Butshe
comfortsherselflatersinceitwasGod'sordertoswallowJonah.Aftertwodaysthefishcastshimoutthe
beachofanislandandheisveryweak.Thegastricjuiceswiththehotsunlightburnedhisskintillthepoint
hewasabouttoscreamofpain.Godcausesavinetogrowoverhimandprovidehimfruitandshade.He
recoversandgoesbacktohispeoplewhohadbecomegoodafterheleft.AccordingtotheQuran,the
numberofthepeoplehewassenttowardsasaprophetexceededahundredthousand.Theybelievedinhis
messageandGodgrantedthemprosperityforalongtime.(AsSaaffat37|147148).
Haman
IntheBible,HamanwasaPersiannobleandvizieroftheempireunderPersianKingAhasueruswho
desirestopersecutetheJews.IntheQur'an,HamanisanadviserandbuilderunderaFiraun(Pharaoh)of
ancientEgyptwhosenarrativerelationshipwithMosesisrecountedintheQur'an.
ThestructurewhichFirauncommandsHamantobuildissimilartotheTowerofBabelinGenesis,
unrelatedtothenarrativeofHamanintheBible.Bothstructuresaremadefromburntbricksforthepurpose
ofascendingtotheheavens.
However,it'salsobeensuggestedthatthesetwoaredifferentindividuals.Thename"Haman"wasinfact
mentionedinoldEgyptiantabletswhichnowstandintheHofMuseum,Vienna(WalterWreszinski,
gyptischeInschriftenausdemK.K.HofMuseuminWien,1906,J.C.Hinrichs'scheBuchhandlung).
NewTestamentnarratives
13/20
11/30/2014
ZechariahandJohn(Zakariya()andYahya())
ThestoryofZechariahistoldintheGospelofLuke1:580andLuke3:122andintheQur'an19.215.
Zechariahandhiswifereachedanoldagewithoutbearingchildren.GodspoketoZechariahandtoldhim
hiswifewouldconceive,despiteherbarrenness,andhisnamewouldbeJohn.Asasignthatthiswould
happen,GodstruckZechariahmuteuntilJohnwasbornthoughhecommunicatedusingsigns.Johnbecame
agreatandrighteousprophetandcametoconfirmGod'sWord.BothaccountsmentionJohn'sdeath.
Thetwoaccountsneverdirectlydisagree,buteachhaveuniqueelements:IntheBibleZechariahisapriest.
GodspeakstohimonYomKippurintheHolyofHolies.HedoubtsthatGodwillactandhismutenessisa
signandpunishment.MuslimsregardZechariahasaProphetandthereforeclaimhewouldneverdoubt
God'somnipotencealthoughintheQuranicnarrativehedoesquestionhowwoulditcomeaboutsinceheis
anoldmanandhiswifelongbarren.UponwhichheistoldthatforGoditisindeedveryeasyandthat
hasn'tGodcreatedyoualreadywhileyouwerenaught.IntheQuranicnarrativeZechariahisalsoreminded
thatthesignheshouldseekforwouldbeamutenessforthreenightsalthoughwithoutbeingrestrained
fromspeech,implying,[78]hesimplywouldnotfindanoccasiontotalktoanyone.Zechariah,therefore,is
foundemergingfromhischamberandremindinghispeopletocelebratethepraisesoftheLordthroughan
inspirationalgesture(SurahMaryam19|111).
Mary("Maryam")
Mary'sstoryistoldintheGospelofLuke1:2637,2:121,andQur'an19.1635.IntheBible,inthesixth
monthaftertheconceptionofJohntheBaptistbyElizabeth,theangelGabrielwassentfromGodtothe
VirginMary,atNazareth.MarywasofthehouseofDavid,andwasbetrothedtoJoseph,ofthesameroyal
family.Andtheangelhavingtakenthefigureandtheformofman,cameintothehouseandsaidtoher:
'Hail,fullofgrace,theLordiswiththee.'Maryhavingheardthegreetingwordsdidnotspeakshewas
troubledinspirit,sincesheknewnottheangel,northecauseofhiscoming,northemeaningofthe
salutation.Andtheangelcontinuedandsaid:'Fearnot,Mary,forthouhastfoundgracewithGod.Behold
thoushaltconceiveinthywomb,andshaltbringforthasonandthoushaltcallhisnameJesus.Heshallbe
great,andshallbecalledtheSonoftheMostHighandtheLordGodshallgiveuntohimthethroneof
DavidhisfatherandheshallreigninthehouseofJacobforever.Andofhiskingdomthereshallbeno
end.'NotdoubtingthewordofGod,unlikeZachariah,butfilledwithfearandastonishment,shesaid:"How
shallthisbedone,becauseIhavenotknownaman?'Theangel,toremoveMary'sanxietyandtoassureher
thathervirginitywouldbespared,answered:'TheHolyGhostshallcomeupontheeandthepowerofthe
MostHighshallovershadowthee.AndthereforealsotheHolywhichshallbebornoftheeshallbecalled
theSonofGod.'IntokenofthetruthofhiswordhemadeknowntohertheconceptionofJohn,the
miraculouspregnancyofherrelativenowoldandsterile:'Andbehold,thycousinElizabethshealsohas
conceivedasoninheroldage,andthisisthesixthmonthwithherthatiscalledbarren:becausenoword
shallbeimpossiblewithGod.'Marymaynotyethavefullyunderstoodthemeaningoftheheavenly
messageandhowthematernitymightbereconciledwithhervowofvirginity,butclingingtothefirst
wordsoftheangelandtrustingtotheomnipotenceofGodshesaid:'BeholdthehandmaidoftheLord,beit
donetomeaccordingtothyword.'
InLuke,MaryisbetrothedtoJosephbuttheQur'annevermentionsanyman.IntheQur'an,'herpeople'
haveaconversationwithMaryaccusingheroffornication.IntheBible,nosuchconversationhappensbut
Josephknowsthatpeoplearethinkingthis.
14/20
11/30/2014
TheQuranstatesinthechapternamedafterMary,verse1637:IntheBook,tellthestoryofMaryam,when
shewentawayfromherfamily(forPrayer)toaplaceintheEast.Sheplacedascreen(tohideherself)from
themThenWesenttoherOurangel,andheappearedbeforeherintheformofamanofrespectinevery
way.Shesaid:"Verily,IaskshelterfromyouwiththeMostGracious(Allah):(Donotcomenearme)ifyou
guardyourselfagainstevil."Hesaid:"IamamessengerfromyourLord,onlytoannouncetoyou,thegift
ofarighteousson."Shesaid:"HowshallIhaveason,whennomanhastouchedme,andIamnot
indecent?"Hesaid:"Itwillbeso:YourLordsays'ThatiseasyforMe:And(Wewish)toappointhimasa
SigntomenandaMercyfromUs':Itisathing(already)ordained."Soshestartedtocarryhim(Jesus),and
shewent(torest)withhimtoafarplace.Andthepainsofchildbirthtookhertothetrunkofapalmtree:
Shecried"Oh!IfIhaddiedbeforethis!IfIwasathingforgottenandnotseen!"Then(avoice)criedtoher
fromunderthetree:"Donotfeelsad!BecauseyourLordhasmadeastreamunderneathyouAndshake
towardsyourselfthetrunkofthepalmtree:Itwilldropfreshripedatesuponyou.Soeatanddrinkandcool
(wetyour)eye.Andifyouseeanyman,say,'IhavepromisedsolemnlytotheMostGracious,andthisdayI
willnotenterintotalkwithanyhumanbeing.'"Attheendshebroughtthebabytoherpeople,carrying
babyJesusinherarms.Theysaid"OMaryam!Trulyanamazingthinghaveyoubrought!Osisterof
Aaron!Yourfatherwasnotanadulterousman,andyourmotherwasnotanimmoralwoman!"Then,she
pointedtothebaby.Theysaid,"Howcanwetalktoonewhoisonlyachildinthecradle?"He(BabyJesus)
said,"IndeedIamaservantofAllah:HehasgivenmetheInjeel(Gospel)andmademeaprophetandhe
hasmademeblessedwhereeverIbe,andhascommandedformeprayerandcharityaslongasIliveAllah
hasmademekindtomymother,andnotarrogantormiserableAndPeaceisonmethedayIwasborn,the
dayIdie,andthedayIwillberaisedupalive!"Jesus,thesonofMaryamwaslikethis:Itisastatementof
truth,aboutwhichtheydispute(uselessly).ItisnotsuitedforAlmightyAllahthatHeshouldfatherason.
GlorytoHim!WhenHedeterminesanything,Heonlysaystoit,"Be",anditis.Jesussaid:"Andsurely
AllahismyLordandyourLord:Himaloneyouthereforeworship:ThatistheStraightPath."Then,the
groupsdifferedamongthemselves:sothisisawarningtothedisbelieversbecauseoftheJudgementona
greatDay!(Translation:SyedVickarAhamed,2007.ApprovedbyAlAzharIslamicResearchAcademy,
Cairo,Egypt.)
Jesus(Isa)
JesustakesupthewholeofthefourGospels(Matthew,Mark,LukeandJohn)intheBible,aswellasbeing
thefocusofthesubsequentbooksoftheNewTestament.HeappearsseveraltimesintheQur'an:inverses
3559ofSura3:alImran(TheFamilyofImran),verses156158ofSura4:anNisa'(TheWomen),verses
109120ofSura5:alMa'idah(TheRepast),verses1635ofSura19:Maryam(Mary),verse50ofSura23:
alMu'minun(TheBelievers)verses5765ofSura43:azZukhruf(TheGoldAdornments)andinverses6
and14ofSura61:asSaff(TheBattleArray).Referenceismadetohimseveralmoretimes.
TheQur'ancontainsfewnarrativesfromJesus'life,butdoesincludemanybriefdescriptionsincommon
withtheBible:
MadethedeadtolivethroughGod'shelpandwill[79]
IstheMessiah(theChrist).[80]
Haddisciples.[81]
Hisdisciplesweresuccessfuloverdisbelievers.[82]
HealedtheblindandhealedthelepersbyGod'swill.[79]
15/20
11/30/2014
Isaliveinheavennow.[83]
IntheQur'anJesusissaidtohavecreatedabirdoutofclayandblownlifeintoitandheisalsosaidto
havespokenasaninfantinthecradletodefendhismotherfromthefalseaccusationsoffornication.These
twonarrativesarenotfoundintheBible,butareintheInfancyGospels(NonCanonicalGospels).
TheQur'anrejectstheChristianviewofJesus,specificallyhisdivinity.AccordingtotheQur'an,Jesusdid
notasktobeworshippedandJesusaskedpeopletoworshipGod.Also,accordingtotheQur'an,God"has
nopartners"andbelievesthatGodnevertookphysicalformofasin.
Otherfigures
TheQur'anandBiblehaveover50peopleincommon,typicallyinthesamenarratives.TheQur'an
identifiesEnochandIshmaelasprophets,buttheyarenevergivenastory.IntheBible,allthesemenare
identifiedasrighteouspeoplebutnotprophetsexceptIshmaelwhoisnotwrittenoffavorably.
ThereisalsoonepersonmentionedintheQur'an,DhulQarnayn,whoisnotmentionedintheBiblebythat
namebutwhosestoryissimilartostoriesaboutAlexandertheGreatasmentionedinotherJewishand
Christianwritings(seeAlexandertheGreatintheQur'an).HoweverDhulQarnaynmayalsobeCyrusthe
GreatwhoismentionedintheBible(seeCyrus(Bible)andCyrustheGreatintheQur'an).
Mixedsimilarities
Inseveralcases,theQur'anandtheBiblehavecommoneventsbutoccurindifferentnarrations.
IdolcalfandSamaritan
IntheBible,inMoses'absencecertainpeoplewhowentoutofEgyptwiththeHebrewsworshipagolden
calfsaying"ThisisyourGod,OIsrael,whobroughtyouupoutofEgypt."Hundredsofyearslater,
SamariawasfoundedandbecamethecapitaloftheNorthernKingdomofIsrael.KingJeroboam,itsfirst
king,alsomadetwogoldencalvesandsaid,"Theseareyourgods,OIsrael,whobroughtyouupoutof
Egypt."Later,around700BC,anotherpeoplegroupoccupiesSamariacalledtheSamaritans.
TheQur'antellsthestoryofacalfwhileMosesisgone.Amancalled"theSamari"YusufAlior"the
Samaritan"(Arberry)isblamedforprotagonizingtheiridolatry.
AverseinHosea8:56containsthesamecontentasTaHa|20.97whereHoseareferstotheJeroboamcalf
andtheQur'anreferstotheearliercalf.BothfeatureaprophetspeakingtotheSamaritan/Samaria
promisingtodestroythecalf.
Throwoutyourcalfidol,OSamaria!Myangerburnsagainstthem.Howlongwilltheybe
incapableofpurity?TheyarefromIsrael!ThiscalfacraftsmanhasmadeititisnotGod.
Itwillbebrokeninpieces,thatcalfofSamaria.
(Moses)said:"Gettheegone!butthy(punishment)inthislifewillbethatthouwiltsay,
'touchmenot'...Nowlookatthygod,ofwhomthouhastbecomeadevotedworshipper:
Wewillcertainly(melt)itinablazingfireandscatteritbroadcastinthesea!"(YusufAli
[Quran20:97(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/020qmt.php#020.097)])
16/20
11/30/2014
IntheQur'an,Moses'punishmentthattheSamaricannotbetouchedisthesameasthemodernSamaritan's
punishmentwherenoJewwasallowedtotouchthembecauseoftheiridolatry.Inhiscommentary,Yusuf
AliclaimsthattheSamariisnotaSamaritan.
MiriamandMary
InArabic,boththenamesMaryandMiriamarecalledMaryam.Mary,motherofJesus,isoneofthe
femaleswhohashernamementionedintheQuran.WhilespeakingaboutMary,themotherofJesus,the
Qur'analsocallsherasthesisterofAaron.ThereisanotherAaronintheBible,namelyAaronthebrother
ofMoses,whoalsohadasisterMiriam.AccordingtoMusliminterpreters,thisAaronisdifferentfromthe
brotherofMoses.MosesandJesuswereseparatedfarapartintime,butitwasatraditiontogivepeoplethe
namesofprophetsandpiouspersonswholivedbeforethemasmentionedinthefollowinghadeeth:
Mughirab.Shu'bareported:WhenIcametoNajran,they(theChristiansofNajran)askedme:You
read"OsisterofHarun"(i.e.HadratMaryam)intheQur'an,whereasMoseswasbornmuchbefore
Jesus.WhenIcamebacktoAllah'sMessenger(maypeacebeuponhim)Iaskedhimaboutthat,
whereuponhesaid:The(peopleoftheoldage)usedtogivenames(totheirpersons)afterthenames
ofApostlesandpiouspersonswhohadgonebeforethem.(SheikMuslimAdaaabBook)
HannahandHannah
IntheBooksofSamuel,HannahisgratefulthatGodgaveherason,Samuel.ShededicatedhimtoGodby
lettinghimlivewithElitheprophetandpriest.
IntheQur'an,Mary'smotherisgratefultoGodforMaryanddedicateshertoGod.Marythenlivesinthe
householdofZechariahtheprophet.
IntheBible,Zechariahisalsoapriest.Mary'smotherhasnonameintheQur'an.
Seealso
OriginanddevelopmentoftheQur'an
LegendsandtheQur'an
AlexandertheGreatintheQur'an
Sourcecriticism
IslamandJudaism
Isra'iliyat
Abrahamicreligion
ChristianityandIslam
ChristianityandJudaism
17/20
11/30/2014
Comparativereligion
Cyrus(Bible)
CyrustheGreatintheQur'an
References
1. ê.g.GeraldHawting,interviewed(http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s591483.htm)forThe
ReligionReport,RadioNational(Australia),26June2002.
2. ^TheOrientalists,TheBible&TheQur'n:ABriefReviewOfTheBibleBorrowingTheories
(http://www.islamicawareness.org/Quran/Sources/BBorientalist.html)(IslamicAwareness)AMuslimreview
andcritiqueofthenotionthattheQur'andependsonearliersources.
3. ^Genesis2:17(http://tools.wmflabs.org/bibleversefinder/?book=Gen&verse=2:17&src=HE)
8. âb[Quran3:59(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/003qmt.php#003.059)]
9. ^[Quran2:30(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/002qmt.php#002.030)]
15. âbc[Quran20:120(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/020qmt.php#020.120)]
21. ^LawrenceE.Brown,M.D.,OriginalSin(http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/1776/).
28. ^Genesis3:16(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:16)
18/20
11/30/2014
32. ^http://on1foot.org/text/mishnasanhedrin45
33. ^(Genesis19:526
54. âb[Quran26:165(http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religioustexts/quran/verses/026qmt.php#026.165)]
19/20
11/30/2014
79. âbSurah5.110
80. ^Surah3.45
81. ^Surah3.52
82. ^Surah3.55
83. ^Surah4.158
Retrievedfrom"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Biblical_and_Quranic_narratives&oldid=632968327"
Categories: Quranicnarratives Islamandotherreligions
Thispagewaslastmodifiedon8November2014at16:10.
TextisavailableundertheCreativeCommonsAttributionShareAlikeLicenseadditionaltermsmay
apply.Byusingthissite,youagreetotheTermsofUseandPrivacyPolicy.Wikipediaisa
registeredtrademarkoftheWikimediaFoundation,Inc.,anonprofitorganization.
20/20

Biblical and Quranic Narratives - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Biblical and Quranic Narratives - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

11/30/2014

Potrebbero piacerti anche