Quran vs. Bible

The "Quran" means "the recitation".
Chapters are called the Suras.
Verses are called Ayahs.

1. The Quran- its composition

Gabriel appeared to Mohammed and gave him visions.
After Mohammed's death in 632 A.D. his students compiled everything he said into one document.
Central religious text of Islam is the Quran.
There are 114 Suras in the Quran. Roughly the size of the New Testament.
The Suras are arranged in decreasing size, largest to smallest.

2. The Quran - its treatment

Muslims believe that this is the only uncorrupted holy book.
A special cloth or stand is put on the ground before the Quran can be placed there.
The Quran is to occupy the highest place in the house.
Only the clean can touch the Quran. (washed hands/ bathed to be clean)
When the Quran is read publicly everything happening around it must stop as respect for the text.


3. The Quran - how it was received

Once a year Gabriel appeared to Mohammed and gave him more of the Quran.
For the messages to be true they must be in the Arabic language.
Only once in the Quran is Gabriel named.

4. The Quran - its relation with the Bible

The Quran recounts stories of the Old Testament and even the Apocrypha.
Moses is mentioned in the Quran more than any other individual.
Jesus is mentioned more than Mohammed.

A. Mary:

The Quran gives her parents' names: Hannah and Emrom.
The Muslims affirm her virgin birth.
The Quran teaches that Mary was raised in the temple under the eye of Zechariah (father of John the Baptist).
She gives birth under a palm tree.

B. Jesus:

Jesus speaks as an infant in the cradle.
He performs miracles in the Quran.
There are two miracles that are not found anywhere in the Bible.
Both of these miracles are recorded in the Apocrypha.
The biggest sin is to believe that God would become man.

C. Holy Spirit :

The Holy Spirit and Gabriel seem to be confused as the same person.
Not the same Spirit Christians believe in.