Have you ever wondered which sacred book came first, Is The Quran Older Than The Bible? This question opens the door to a deeper understanding of divine revelation, history, and faith. At Madrasat El-Quran, we guide you through the timelines, truths, and teachings that define both scriptures.
Discover the origins of the Quran and the Bible from an Islamic perspective, in a clear and enlightening way.
Which is Older Quran or Bible?
From a historical standpoint, the Bible was written and compiled long before the Quran. The Quran was revealed in the 7th century CE, while the various books of the Bible were written over many centuries, beginning as early as 1400 BCE.
In Islamic belief, the Quran confirms and continues the messages of earlier scriptures, including the Torah and the Gospel, serving as a final revelation. Its authority for Muslims stems from its divine origin, not chronological precedence.
{وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ}
“And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it.”
وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:48)
When Was The Quran Written
The question of when the Quran was written remains. As you may know, the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in two distinct ways. Initially, it was revealed in its entirety on Laylat al-Qadr, also known as the Night of Ordainment.
Following this, the Quran was revealed gradually over a period of 23 years. However, there is no precise historical record indicating the exact year of Laylat al-Qadr or when the Quran was revealed all at once.
The gradual revelation began at the start of the Prophet’s mission, around AD 609 or 610, when he was 40 years old, and continued until his death at age 63. During this time, the Prophet would recite the verses to his companions, who would then write them down.
Who Wrote The Quran
The straightforward answer to “Who wrote the Quran?” is that it is considered the word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad himself did not physically write down these revelations; instead, several of his trusted companions served as scribes. They documented the revelations on various materials available at the time, such as parchment, palm leaves, and bones.
After Muhammad’s death, the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, took the initiative to compile these writings into a single manuscript to preserve the Quran.
This effort was later continued by the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, who standardized the Quranic text to ensure consistency across the Islamic empire.
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Conclusion: What Came First the Quran or The Bible?
In conclusion, both the Quran and the Bible hold significant roles in their respective faiths. While they differ in language, context, and transmission, each has deeply shaped spiritual thought and human history.
From an Islamic perspective, the Quran confirms previous revelations and stands as the final message. Understanding these distinctions encourages respectful dialogue, deepens interfaith awareness, and promotes a more informed and balanced view of religious texts.
