Biblical Origins of Islam and Its Teachings
The Bible does not contain references to Islam or its teachings, as the Islamic faith originated in the 7th century CE, long after the biblical texts were written. However, some biblical themes and figures are also present in Islamic tradition, though often with different interpretations.
The Old Testament, for instance, lays the foundation for understanding God as the Creator of the world [1, 7]. Genesis describes God's creative acts, with some interpretations noting that God imbued the earth and water with the power to bring forth life at His command [3]. This concept of a singular, powerful Creator is central to both biblical and Islamic traditions. The Hebrew Bible also recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing God's continuous presence and guidance, as seen in the cloud that led the Israelites through the wilderness [2].
Figures like Abraham, Moses, and other prophets are significant in both biblical and Islamic narratives. The lineage of Abraham is traced through Isaac and Jacob in the biblical account, with the "seed" referring to the people God adopted [5]. The Old Testament Scriptures provided wisdom and instruction, as seen in Timothy's upbringing, which prepared him to understand Christ [8]. The prophets, such as Daniel, foretold future events concerning world powers and Israel's ultimate triumph [4]. The book of Ezekiel, for example, addresses Israel's "abominations" and their departure from God's covenant [6].
While the Bible does not directly address Islam, it provides the theological and historical context from which later monotheistic traditions, including Islam, would draw and reinterpret certain narratives and figures. The emphasis on God's oneness, creation, and the role of prophets are shared elements, though understood through distinct theological frameworks.
Sources
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 1 (introduction): The foundation of all religion being laid in our relation to God as our Creator, it was fit that the book of divine revelations which was intended to be the guide, support, and rule, of religion in the world, should begin, as it does, with a plain and full account of the creation of the world - in answer to that first enquiry of a good conscience, "Where is God my Maker?" (Job 35:10). Concerning this the pagan philosophers wretchedly blundered, and became vain in their imaginations, some asserting the world's eternity and self-existence, others ascrib”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 40:38: For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day - This daily and nightly appearance was at once both a merciful providence, and a demonstrative proof of the Divinity of their religion: and these tokens continued with them throughout all their journeys; for, notwithstanding their frequently repeated disobedience and rebellion, God never withdrew these tokens of his presence from them, till they were brought into the promised land. When, therefore, the tabernacle became fixed, because the Israelites had obtained their inheritance, this mark of the Divine pre”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 1:11: AND GOD SAID. Scripture states, Let the earth put forth grass (Gen. 1:11); Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures (Gen. 1:20); Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind (Gen. 1:24). This teaches that God placed in the earth and in the water the power to bring forth these things at God’s command. These are the generations (offspring) of the heaven and the earth (Gen. 2:4). 104 Filwarg. For an alternate interpretation see Krinsky.”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 7:19: Balaam, an Aramean, dwelling on the Euphrates, at the beginning of Israel's independent history, and Daniel at the close of it, prophetically exhibit to the hostile world powers Israel as triumphant over them at last, though the world powers of the East (Asshur) and the West (Chittim) carry all before them and afflict Eber (Israel) for a time (Num 23:8-10, Num 23:28; Num 24:2, Num 24:7-9, Num 24:22-24). To Balaam's "Asshur" correspond Daniel's two eastern kingdoms, Babylon and Medo-Persia; to "Chittim," the two western kingdoms, Greece and Rome (compar”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 19.10: it is certain that neither the posterity of Ishmael nor of Esau is to be taken into this account, because the legitimate seed is to be reckoned by the promise, which God determined should remain in Isaac and Jacob; yet the same doubt arises respecting the posterity of Jacob, because many who could trace their descent from him, according to the flesh, cut themselves off, as degenerate sons and aliens, from the faith of their fathers. I answer, that this term seed is, indiscriminately, extended to the whole people whole God has ado”
- Ezekiel (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Ezekiel 16:1: Israel, by nature unclean, miserable, and near to destruction (Eze 16:3-5), is adopted by the Lord and clothed in splendour (Eze 16:6-14). Eze 16:1 and Eze 16:2 form the introduction. - Eze 16:1. And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Eze 16:2. Son of man, show Jerusalem her abominations. - The "abominations" of Jerusalem are the sins of the covenant nation, which were worse than the sinful abominations of Canaan and Sodom. The theme of this word of God is the declaration of these abominations. To this end the nation is first of all shown what it was by n”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 1 (introduction): Genesis 1:1 THE CREATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. (Gen 1:1-2) In the beginning--a period of remote and unknown antiquity, hid in the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used in Pro 8:22-23. God--the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in Hebrew, "Strong," "Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power; and by its use here in the plural form, is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, namely, that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead--Father, So”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”