The Islamic Dilemma: An Internal Contradiction at the Heart of the Quran
Introduction
Among the many internal tensions some readers identify within the Quran, one occupies a special place due to its doctrinal scope. From the early centuries of Islam, scholars have faced interpretative difficulties, even developing the doctrine of abrogation, whereby some verses cancel out others.
However, the issue we are concerned with here goes beyond the framework of classic internal divergences. It directly touches on the overall coherence of the Quranic message in relation to previous revelations. This issue is often referred to as the "Islamic dilemma."
Islam presents itself as the culmination of divine revelation: the Torah was revealed to Moses, the Gospel to Jesus, and the Quran to Muhammad. In this perspective, the Quran is not a break but a confirmation and a restoration of the original message.
A major difficulty arises: the Quran simultaneously affirms the authority of previous Scriptures and proposes teachings that seem to be in direct contradiction with them, particularly concerning the nature of Jesus, his crucifixion, and his resurrection.
Confirmation of previous Scriptures
The Quran repeatedly states that it comes to confirm previous revelations, particularly the Torah and the Gospel:
"He has sent down upon you the Book with the truth, confirming what was before it." (3:3)
"We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming the Scriptures that came before and as their guardian." (5:48)
"What confirms the previous Scriptures." (2:97)
These statements are recurrent in the Quranic text. They clearly establish continuity between the Quran and the biblical Scriptures.
The Scriptures as reference
The Quran does not just confirm previous texts. It also invites reference to them in case of doubt:
"If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, ask those who have been reading the Scriptures before you." (10:94)
This verse is particularly significant. It suggests that the previous Scriptures constitute a criterion of discernment, including for evaluating the Quranic revelation itself.
The question of falsification
In response to these affirmations, a classic objection is that the Torah and the Gospel were altered.
However, several passages in the Quran indicate that these Scriptures were present and recognized at the time of Muhammad:
"Those who find it written with them in the Torah and the Gospel…" (7:157)
"Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein." (5:47)
These verses suggest the texts were accessible and considered normative.
A. The invariability of the divine word
The Quran also asserts that the word of God is immutable:
"No one can alter His words." (6:115)
"No one can change His words." (18:27)
Yet, the Torah and the Gospel are explicitly presented as divine revelations:
"We sent down the Torah…" (5:44)
"We gave the Gospel…" (5:46)
This raises a question: how could texts originating from the divine word be altered if this word is declared unalterable?
B. A logical tension
If the Scriptures had been corrupted, it would be hard to understand why the Quran would invite reference to them to assess its own truth.
Conversely, if they are reliable, then the doctrinal divergences become problematic.
Historical data on the transmission of texts
Modern historical research has allowed comparison between ancient manuscripts and current texts.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 20th century, demonstrate considerable stability of the Old Testament text over more than a thousand years.
Similarly, ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, like the Codex Vaticanus or Codex Sinaiticus, show content very similar to current versions, with minor variations not affecting the central doctrines.
These elements are generally interpreted as indicating a broadly stable transmission of biblical texts.
The heart of the dilemma
The central problem can be formulated as follows:
The Quran affirms the validity of previous Scriptures
But it contradicts some of their fundamental teachings
Two options seem possible:
Either the Scriptures are reliable, and the contradictions pose a problem for the coherence of the Quran
Or they are not reliable, but then some Quranic affirmations become difficult to reconcile
This reasoning is often presented as a logical dilemma.
The role of Jesus' disciples
Another passage reinforces this tension:
"We supported those who believed, and they prevailed." (61:14)
This verse suggests that Jesus' disciples were supported in spreading his message.
Similarly:
"I will place those who follow you above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection." (3:55)
These affirmations can be interpreted as validating the transmission of Jesus' message throughout history.
A persistent difficulty
If the disciples faithfully transmitted Jesus' message, then the historical Christian tradition would be its heir.
If, on the contrary, this message was altered, it becomes difficult to reconcile this idea with verses mentioning their triumph and preservation.
Conclusion
We can therefore affirm that, both according to the Quran's own declarations and the conclusions of historical criticism, the Torah and the Gospel have not been altered and cannot be.
It is necessary to conclude that the teachings of the Torah and the Gospel are true and, according to the Quran itself, constitute the ultimate reference for judging its truthfulness. In case of doubt about the Quran, Allah explicitly orders reference to them.
However, the Gospel clearly states that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the Cross for our redemption, and that he resurrected.
Problem: the Quran denies that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the Cross for the salvation of mankind.
Thus, the Quran simultaneously affirms that the Gospel is true and that the Gospel is false.
This is precisely where the dilemma lies:
Either the Quran is true when it confirms the truth of the Gospel and Christianity. But in this case, it contradicts itself when it denies the divinity of Christ, his divine sonship, his crucifixion, as well as other central teachings affirmed by the Gospel. Therefore, the Quran is false.
Or, conversely, the Quran's affirmations regarding the truth of the Gospel and Christianity are false, and the Quran is then also false.
In any case, the Quran is false. If it confirms the truth of the Torah and the Gospel, then it is refuted by their very teachings. And if it errs in affirming their truth, it disqualifies itself as a word coming from God.