Quran vs Bible: Similarities and Differences Explained
How the Quran and the Bible compare: authorship, structure, language, shared figures such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus, and the key differences in belief — explained neutrally.
Last updated: 2026-10-03
The Quran and the Bible are the scriptures of the world’s two largest religions, and they share many figures and themes. They are also very different kinds of books. This article compares them factually, describing what each tradition believes without arguing for either.
At a glance
| Quran | Bible | |
|---|---|---|
| Religion | Islam | Christianity (the Hebrew Bible also in Judaism) |
| Understood as | God’s words revealed to one prophet, Muhammad | Inspired writings by many authors |
| Period | About 23 years, 610–632 CE | Many centuries |
| Original language | Arabic | Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek |
| Structure | 114 surahs, 6,236 ayahs | 66 books in Protestant Bibles; more in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles |
| Arrangement | Roughly by length, not chronology | By type and roughly by history |
Is the Quran the “Muslim Bible”?
Not exactly. Muslims call their scripture the Quran. Islam does recognise earlier revealed books — the Tawrat (Torah) given to Moses, the Zabur (Psalms) given to David and the Injil (Gospel) given to Jesus — and the Quran describes itself as confirming them. Most Muslim scholars hold, however, that the texts of those books have not been preserved exactly as revealed, and that the Quran is the final and preserved revelation.
Shared figures and stories
Many people in the Bible appear in the Quran: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Jonah, John the Baptist, Mary and Jesus, among others. Surah Yusuf (12) tells the story of Joseph in one continuous narrative, and Surah Maryam (19) is named after Mary. The Quran usually tells these stories briefly and focuses on their moral lesson, and some details differ from the biblical accounts. See the prophets mentioned in the Quran.
Key differences in belief
- God: both describe one God, but the Quran rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
- Jesus: the Quran honours Jesus as a prophet and the Messiah, born of a virgin, but not divine, and states he was not crucified. Read Jesus in the Quran.
- Prophethood: the Quran presents Muhammad as the final prophet.
- Salvation: Christianity centres on the atonement of Christ; the Quran teaches that each person answers for their own deeds and relies on God’s mercy.
How each is used
The Quran is recited in Arabic in every Muslim prayer and memorised in full by many; translations are read as aids to understanding. The Bible is mostly read in translation and is read aloud in services. Both are central to private devotion and study.
For a deeper understanding of either, read the texts themselves alongside respected commentaries from within each tradition.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Muslim Bible called?
- Muslims don't have a Bible; their holy book is the Quran. Islam also recognises earlier scriptures — the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel — as revelations given to earlier prophets.
- Do Muslims believe in the Bible?
- Muslims believe God revealed the Torah to Moses and the Gospel to Jesus, but they generally hold that the texts in today's Bible are not preserved in their original form, and they take the Quran as the final reference.
- Are there the same stories in the Quran and the Bible?
- Many figures appear in both, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Mary and Jesus. The Quran tells their stories in its own way, often briefly and with a focus on the lesson, and sometimes with different details.
This article explains common understanding and history for general readers; it is not a religious ruling. For questions of practice, consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer.
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