How did the Koran come about, and is it reliable?

The textual history of the Koran shows that different versions have existed and its content deviates significantly from previous biblical revelation. Textual critical observations call its traditional concept of reliability into question.

Was there something unusual about the revelations Muhammad received?

The figure that appeared to Muhammad differs significantly from the angel Gabriel described in the Bible. The quality of Muhammad's experiences and the resulting moral fruit raise questions about the true origin of these revelations.

How is Jesus, or Isa, depicted in the Koran?

The Koran gives Jesus many high titles and even references his exceptional status, which raises questions about his true nature in relation to the rest of Islamic teaching.

Why does Islamic teaching not offer a firm assurance of salvation?

In contrast to the Christian message of grace and a certain assurance of salvation through the work of Jesus, Islam is based on the weighing of deeds, which leaves the believer in uncertainty regarding God's final acceptance.

Is the Koranic claim about the corruption of the Bible true?

Historical manuscript discoveries and early translations demonstrate that the Bible had remained unchanged for hundreds of years before the birth of Islam, which refutes claims of later textual corruption.

Islam – Articles, Analyses and Historical Background

Q: What is the relationship between Islam and Christianity?

Islam and Christianity differ on core doctrinal points, such as the divinity and crucifixion of Jesus. Historical examination shows that there are irreconcilable contradictions between the Koran and the Bible in many places.

Q: What historical remnants are connected to the Islamic pilgrimage?

Early Islamic sources and historical research indicate that the current pilgrimage to Mecca has preserved significant remnants of the pagan idolatry that prevailed before Islam.

Q: How well do Muslim arguments against Christianity hold up under scrutiny?

Common Muslim claims about the corruption of the Bible or the denial of Jesus' crucifixion do not withstand historical or textual critical examination, which confirms that the New Testament has been reliably preserved.

Q: Why do many Muslims reject the Gospel?

The rejection is often based on the assumption of the infallibility of the Koran and Muhammad's status as the final prophet, but historical evidence suggests that these premises are erroneous.

Q: How do the moral teachings of Islam and the Bible differ?

The differences are most clearly seen when comparing the lives and teachings of Muhammad and Jesus, particularly regarding their attitudes toward violence, marriage, and spiritual fruit.

This page gathers all my writings related to Islam. I examine the topic from the perspectives of history, theology and textual criticism, aiming for a respectful yet honest analysis.

The goal is to help the reader understand:

the historical background of Islam
the origin and reliability of the Koran
the life and teachings of Muhammad
the key differences between Islam and Christianity
the most common Muslim objections to the Christian faith

Articles on Islam

Are muslims right or wrong?

Read the article: Are muslims right or wrong? This article explains why there are strong reasons to believe that Muslims are mistaken when they reject the gospel and trust in the Koran and Muhammad as God’s prophet. It includes historical and theological arguments as well as comparisons between the Bible and the Koran.

Idolatry in islam and in Mecca

Read the article: Idolatry in islam and in Mecca. This writing describes how remnants of pre‑Islamic idolatry have been preserved in modern Islam, especially in the pilgrimage to Mecca. The article is based on early Islamic historical sources.

Muhammad’s revelations and life

Read the article: Muhammad's revelations and life. This article examines the origin of Muhammad’s revelations and the fruit of his life. It raises the question of whether Muhammad’s revelations came from God or from another source, and what kind of moral and spiritual legacy his life left behind.

Islam and Jesus

Read the article: Islam and Jesus. This article addresses the most common Muslim objections to Christianity: the reliability of the Bible, the divinity of Jesus and the crucifixion. The purpose is to show why these objections do not withstand historical examination.

Is the Koran reliable?

Read the article: Is the Koran reliable? This writing describes the textual history of the Koran, its different versions and its contradictions with the Bible. The article includes textual‑critical observations and historical sources.

Christ in Islam

Read the article: Christ in islam. This article examines the position of Jesus in the Koran and in Islam. Many Koranic passages refer to Jesus’ exalted status and even hint at divinity, raising important questions about the relationship between Islam and the New Testament.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Islam

🕌 Islam’s Relationship to Christianity

What is the relationship between Islam and Christianity? Islam and Christianity differ in key doctrines such as the divinity of Jesus and His crucifixion. Historical examination shows that in many areas the Koran and the Bible contain irreconcilable contradictions.

📜 The Origin and Reliability of the Koran

How did the Koran originate, and is it reliable? The textual history of the Koran shows that multiple versions once existed, and its content differs significantly from the earlier biblical revelation. Textual‑critical findings challenge the traditional view of its reliability.

👤 Muhammad’s Revelations

Was there anything unusual about Muhammad’s revelations? The figure who appeared to Muhammad differs significantly from the Gabriel described in the Bible. The nature of Muhammad’s experiences and the moral fruit that followed raise questions about the true origin of the revelations.

🕋 Historical Remnants in the Pilgrimage

What historical remnants are connected to the Islamic pilgrimage? Early Islamic sources and historical research show that the current pilgrimage to Mecca preserves significant elements of pre‑Islamic pagan worship.

📖 Muslim Objections to Christianity

How do Muslim objections to Christianity hold up under scrutiny? Common Muslim claims — such as the corruption of the Bible or the denial of Jesus’ crucifixion — do not withstand historical or textual‑critical examination, which confirms the New Testament’s reliable preservation.

✝️ Jesus (Isa) in the Koran

How is Jesus, or Isa, portrayed in the Koran? The Koran gives Jesus many exalted titles and refers to His unique status, raising questions about His true nature in relation to the rest of Islamic teaching.

🚫 Rejecting the Gospel in Islam

Why do many Muslims reject the gospel? The rejection is often based on the assumption of the Koran’s infallibility and Muhammad’s status as the final prophet, but historical evidence suggests these foundations are mistaken.

⚖️ Assurance of Salvation in Islam

Why does Islamic teaching not offer assurance of salvation? Unlike Christianity’s message of grace and certain salvation through Jesus’ work, Islam is based on the weighing of deeds, leaving the believer uncertain of God’s final acceptance.

📚 Moral Teachings in Islam and the Bible

How do the moral teachings of Islam and the Bible differ? The differences are most evident when comparing the lives and teachings of Muhammad and Jesus, especially regarding violence, marriage and spiritual fruit.

📝 The Koran’s Claim That the Bible Was Corrupted

Is the Koran’s claim that the Bible was corrupted true? Historical manuscript discoveries and early translations show that the Bible remained unchanged for centuries before the rise of Islam, disproving claims of later textual corruption.

About the Author – Jari Iivanainen

I have written numerous theological and historical articles dealing with the Christian faith, salvation, evolution theory, religions, worldviews, everyday life and ethical questions. My goal is to offer readers clear, well‑reasoned and respectful perspectives on spiritual and other topics. Above all, I hope that my writings will lead people toward salvation and the forgiveness of sins.

You can find more articles on the Writings page.