The central claim of Islam is that the Quran is the uncreated, perfect, and final revelation of Allah, preserved without corruption, flawless in word, grammar, doctrine, science, and history. Muslims frequently argue that the Quran stands apart from all other religious texts in its supposed perfection, immutability, and freedom from error. They believe it was revealed verbatim through the angel Gabriel to Muhammad, without the possibility of alteration or human influence. This belief forms the cornerstone of Islamic apologetics and polemics, often placed in contrast to the Bible, which Muslims allege has been altered or corrupted.

Yet the question must be asked in the light of historical, linguistic, scientific, and theological scrutiny: are there errors in the Quran? When examined carefully, the Quran does not withstand the test of consistency and accuracy. Unlike the Bible, which has unparalleled manuscript evidence demonstrating a stable and reliable transmission of Jehovah’s inspired Word, the Quran demonstrates contradictions, scientific fallacies, historical inaccuracies, and internal inconsistencies. This calls into question not only its claim of divine origin but also its authority as an infallible revelation.

The Claims of Quranic Infallibility

Muslims point to Quranic texts such as Surah 2:2, “This is the Book about which there is no doubt,” or Surah 15:9, “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” These verses are often cited to argue that Allah Himself guarantees the Quran’s preservation and purity. However, this argument is circular: the Quran claims to be perfect, and its perfection is defended by verses within the same book. Such reasoning offers no external verification, and history demonstrates significant textual and transmissional challenges to this assertion.

The collection and preservation of the Quran are themselves marked by human influence, editing, and destruction of variants. Islamic historical sources—such as Sahih al-Bukhari—record that Caliph Uthman standardized the Quran around 650 C.E., ordering the destruction of variant manuscripts. If the Quran had been perfectly preserved from the beginning, such drastic measures would not have been necessary. This undermines the claim that the Quran’s perfection is guaranteed and beyond dispute.

Internal Contradictions

One of the hallmarks of divine revelation is perfect internal consistency. The Bible, though written over more than a thousand years by dozens of writers across diverse settings, presents a unified message without true contradiction. By contrast, the Quran demonstrates contradictions in law, theology, and narrative detail.

The doctrine of abrogation (naskh) admits this openly. Surah 2:106 states, “We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth one better than it or similar to it.” This admission means that some verses were replaced by others, raising the question: how can a supposedly eternal, perfect, and unchanging word contain verses that are outdated and in need of replacement? Divine perfection excludes error, revision, and contradiction, yet the Quran itself acknowledges all three.

Examples abound. The Quran states in Surah 4:82, “Do they not reflect upon the Qur’an? If it had been from other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.” Yet contradictions do exist. One passage says there is no compulsion in religion (Surah 2:256), while another commands fighting unbelievers until they submit (Surah 9:5, 9:29). These are not merely contextual differences but mutually exclusive approaches, one tolerant and the other coercive. The doctrine of abrogation conveniently allows later militant verses to override earlier peaceful ones, demonstrating the text’s lack of harmony.

Scientific Errors

The Quran also contains statements about the natural world that contradict observable reality and modern science. Muslims often attempt to argue that the Quran miraculously anticipated modern scientific discoveries, yet such claims collapse under scrutiny.

For example, the Quran describes embryonic development in Surah 23:12–14, claiming that man is created from “a drop of fluid,” then becomes a “clinging clot,” then “a lump,” followed by bones clothed with flesh. This is inaccurate. Embryology demonstrates that bones and flesh form simultaneously, not sequentially. The description reflects ancient Greek medical ideas, particularly those of Galen, which were known in Arabia at the time of Muhammad. This reveals a human, not divine, source for the text.

The Quran also describes the sun setting in a muddy spring (Surah 18:86) and implies a flat earth in several places, such as Surah 88:20, “Do they not look at the earth—how it was spread out?” These are not poetic metaphors but mistaken cosmological ideas consistent with pre-scientific cultures.

Historical Inaccuracies

The Quran contains accounts of historical events that conflict with established facts. It refers to Haman as a minister of Pharaoh (Surah 28:6, 38), yet Haman is a Persian name found in the book of Esther, centuries later. It confuses Mary, the mother of Jesus, with Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron (Surah 19:28). Such an error collapses the genealogical and chronological distinctions of centuries, indicating a lack of historical precision.

The Quran’s account of Alexander the Great (referred to as “Dhul-Qarnayn” in Surah 18:83–98) is filled with legendary embellishments, such as Alexander building a great wall to restrain Gog and Magog. This reflects apocryphal myths circulating in late antiquity rather than verifiable history.

Theological Errors

Most importantly, the Quran denies central biblical truths that are attested by Scripture and confirmed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It denies the crucifixion of Jesus (Surah 4:157), claiming that it only appeared so. Yet all historical sources, both Christian and non-Christian, confirm Jesus’ crucifixion under Pontius Pilate in 33 C.E. The denial in the Quran contradicts the overwhelming testimony of history.

The Quran also misrepresents the doctrine of the Trinity, claiming Christians worship three gods, including Mary (Surah 5:116). This demonstrates not only a misunderstanding of biblical theology but also a gross mischaracterization of Christian belief. If the Quran were truly divine, it would not misrepresent the faith it seeks to correct.

The Contrast With the Bible

The Quran’s errors stand in contrast to the Bible’s accuracy and preservation. The Hebrew Scriptures and the Greek New Testament are grounded in history, supported by archaeology, consistent manuscript traditions, and theological coherence. The Bible presents a unified message of Jehovah’s redemption through Christ, fulfilled perfectly in the Messiah who gave His life as a ransom for many.

By contrast, the Quran reflects the limitations of a seventh-century Arabian context, adopting pre-scientific cosmology, borrowing from Jewish and Christian apocryphal traditions, and displaying contradictions that no true divine revelation would contain.

The evidence demonstrates that the Quran is not free from error. Its claims of perfection are refuted by its own content, its scientific and historical mistakes, and its theological distortions. Unlike the inspired Word of God, the Quran bears the marks of human origin, not divine authorship.

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