Islam is a worldwide religion with around two billion followers, making Muslims one of the largest unreached people groups on earth. Each Muslim, like every person, is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27) and should always be treated with dignity and respect. Loving our Muslim neighbors (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37–39) is an essential starting point for any engagement.
I had the privilege of meeting the former Muslim, Nabeel Qureshi, a Christian apologist, during my studies in England before he passed away from cancer at a young age. Nabeel provided a humble and powerful example of what it means to let our speech be gracious at all times, “seasoned with salt,” so that we may give thoughtful answers to everyone (Colossians 4:6).
One thing that stood out about Nabeel was how he combined a deep love for Muslims—including his own family—with a bold commitment to proclaiming the truth in love. As Scripture says, love “rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Nabeel debated prominent Islamic scholars like Shabir Ally, demonstrating that it is possible to engage in respectful, loving, yet truthful dialogue. This balance of truth and love is essential as Christians engage with Muslims today.
Christians need to be equipped to give thoughtful answers to questions about faith, as 1 Peter 3:15 instructs. One common claim among Muslims is that the Bible has been corrupted. How can Christians respond? Here are some points to consider:
1. Ask Clarifying Questions
If the Bible is truly corrupted, we should ask: When did this happen? Who corrupted it? Why? Additionally, where in the Quran does it explicitly say the Bible is corrupted? In fact, the Quran instructs Muslims to consult the “People of the Book” (Jews and Christians) for guidance (Surah 10:94; 16:43). This implies that Allah considers these scriptures trustworthy and expects Muslims to seek answers from them, rather than assuming corruption.
2. Consider the Logical Issues
How could Allah allow His revelation to be corrupted for over 1,400 years, when the Quran itself says that His words cannot be corrupted (Surah 6:115; 18:27; 10:64)? If the Bible were truly corrupted, when and how would this have occurred? Moreover, which came first—the Bible or the Quran? It seems far more logical that any textual errors would have occurred in later copies rather than in the original manuscripts.
3. Eyewitness Testimony
Jesus’ closest disciples consistently testified to His divinity. If Islam’s claim of corruption were correct, this would mean that His immediate followers misunderstood or misrepresented Him. Then, 600 years later, Muhammad, geographically and culturally distant from Jesus, claimed to receive the “correct” revelation. How can we logically trust someone 600 years later over the eyewitnesses present during Jesus’ ministry?
4. Historical and Textual Evidence
The earliest copies of the Old Testament, such as the Septuagint, date back to the 2nd century B.C. There are tens of thousands of Old Testament manuscripts. The New Testament is exceptionally well-documented, with around 24,000 manuscript copies, the earliest dating from 125–150 A.D. It is arguably the most well-documented work of ancient literature.
This abundance of manuscript evidence makes it relatively easy to detect corruption, yet no one has found evidence that undermines Christianity. Even critics as well as Christian textual scholars of Christianity acknowledge this:
— Bart Ehrman, Misquoting Jesus (2005)
— Daniel Wallace (textbook/lecture summary)
— F. F. Bruce, The Books and the Parchments, as cited by scholars
In other words, the claim that the Bible has been corrupted does not hold up to historical or textual scrutiny. Either Jesus’ disciples, many of whom died for their convictions, misrepresented Him, or the Islamic claim about the Bible is incorrect. Given the historical evidence, it is far more plausible that the Bible, especially in its original manuscripts, has been faithfully preserved, and that claims of corruption arise from misunderstandings or later interpretations rather than facts.
5. An Illustrative Analogy
Imagine wandering for three years with twelve people. Those twelve people later recorded what was said. Then several years afterward, a man from another country—more than 1000 kilometers away—who had no contact with those people, their families, or their community claims that he knows what was actually said better than the individuals who were there.
Historians would not consider such a claim credible. Firsthand witnesses and early sources are given greater weight than accounts produced centuries later by someone outside the original context.
This argument may sound persuasive to someone who already accepts Islamic tradition, but it is unlikely to convince non-Muslims who rely on standard historical methods and source criticism—especially when comparing twelve people who were actually present to a man generations later in another town who never met any of the people involved or their relatives.
6. Engage with Love and Respect
Muslims, contrary to some stereotypes, often enjoy talking about God, Jesus, and the Bible. They can be more open to such conversations than secular audiences. As Christians engage Muslims:
- Love them and treat them as image-bearers of God.
- Be gracious, gentle, and respectful.
- Proclaim truth in a winsome way.
- Ask thoughtful questions: How, when, why? Where in the Quran is this claim made?
Being a good listener and asking questions is often the best way to start a meaningful and respectful conversation. And by engaging Muslims, we fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), helping to bring them to Christ so they can glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
