The Gospel (Arabic: Injil) was the divine scripture revealed to the Prophet Jesus. In this post we will look briefly at this Scripture:
- The word Injil means glad tidings.
- When mentioned in an Islamic context, the gospel refers to the scripture given directly to the Prophet Jesus.
- The gospel is considered an extension of the Torah with some amendments and abrogations in laws. God says in the Quran about Jesus, “I have come to confirm the truth of the Torah which preceded me, and to make some things lawful to you which used to be forbidden.” [3:50]
- As the Gospel follows on from the Torah, much of what God ascribes in the Quran to the Torah also corresponds to the Gospel. This includes mention of the Messenger Muhammad and the description of his disciples.
- God mentions in the Quran that the Prophet Jesus spoke of the coming of the Messenger Muhammad, “Jesus, son of Mary, said, ‘Children of Israel, I am sent to you by God, confirming the Torah that came before me and bringing good news of a messenger to follow me whose name will be Ahmad.’” [61:6] Ahmad was one of the names of the Messenger Muhammad.
- Both the Torah and the Gospel no longer exist in their original form. Over time, the originals have been lost and the present versions have been changed from the original texts. The Quran also supersedes all scriptures that came before it. Therefore, what the Quran confirms from the present versions of the Torah and Gospel, we accept and what it contradicts we reject. The Quran has been preserved and safeguarded against such corruptions.