One of the most discussed arguments in Christian-Muslim dialogue is what apologist David Wood calls “The Islamic Dilemma.” The heart of the issue lies in the Qur’an’s claims about earlier scriptures—the Torah and the Gospel—and the way these claims clash with Islamic theology. Here is a summary of David’s presentation with Muslim John Fontaine, who was recently there. 

In this article, we will examine the dilemma in detail, drawing on Wood’s presentation, Qur’anic texts, and Islamic sources.

What Is the Islamic Dilemma?

The argument can be stated:

  1. The Qur’an affirms the inspiration, preservation, and authority of the Jewish and Christian scriptures.
  2. The Qur’an, however, contradicts these scriptures on key doctrines (such as the nature of God, the deity of Christ, and salvation).
  3. This produces a dilemma:
    • If the Bible is reliable, Islam is false because it contradicts it.
    • If the Bible is corrupted, Islam is false because the Qur’an affirms its truth and preservation.

In short: Either way, Islam is false.

Key Assumptions of the Islamic Dilemma.

  1. The Quran affirms the Torah and the Gospel as divine revelations. The Quran explicitly endorses the Torah (Tawrat) and Gospel (Injil) as scriptures revealed by Allah to previous prophets.
  2. The Quran claims perfect preservation and inerrancy, presenting itself as flawless, eternal, and unchanged, serving as the ultimate criterion for truth.
  3. Allah’s words are unchangeable: The Quran states that no one can alter Allah’s words, implying the same protection for prior revelations.
  4. Muslims must believe in all previous revelations: Believers are commanded to affirm and acknowledge the Torah and Gospel without qualification.
  5. The Gospel is authoritative for judgment: The Quran instructs Christians to rule and judge by the Gospel as Allah’s revelation.
  6. People of the Book should adhere to their scriptures: Jews and Christians are urged to stand firm by the Torah and the Gospel in their entirety.
  7. Muhammad was to consult prior scriptures if in doubt: The Quran directs the Prophet to verify matters with those who possess the earlier books (Jews and Christians).
  8. The Injil refers to the canonical Christian Gospels. There is no historical evidence of a separate, singular “Injil” book among 7th-century Christians; it aligns with the New Testament Gospels.
  9. Biblical teachings contradict the Quran: If the Gospel is preserved and authoritative, its doctrines (e.g., the Trinity, Jesus’ death and resurrection) conflict with Quranic teachings.
  10. Corruption of the Gospel would falsify the Quran: Denying the Bible’s integrity contradicts the Quran’s claims of its divine origin and immutability.

The Qur’an on the Inspiration of the Scriptures

The Qur’an consistently affirms that the Torah and Gospel were revelations from God.

  • “Say: We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them.” (Surah 3:84)

Here, Muslims are commanded to believe not only in the Qur’an but also in all earlier revelations. To say that the Torah and Gospel are corrupted would be to make a “distinction” between them and the Qur’an—precisely what this verse forbids.

The Qur’an on the Preservation of the Scriptures

A critical part of the argument is that the Qur’an claims no one can change the words of Allah.

  • “The Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice. None can change His words.” (Surah 6:115)
  • “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord; none can alter His words.” (Surah 18:27)

Since the Torah and Gospel are described as Allah’s words (Surah 3:3–4; 5:44, 46–47), these verses imply their protection from corruption.

Even Muhammad affirmed this. In Sunan Abu Dawud 44:449, when a copy of the Torah was brought before him, he placed it on a cushion and said: “I believe in you and in the One who revealed you.”

The Qur’an on the Authority of the Scriptures

The Qur’an does not merely acknowledge the inspiration and preservation of earlier scriptures—it also insists that they remain authoritative.

  • For Jews:
    “Why do they come to you for judgment when they have the Torah, in which is the judgment of Allah?” (Surah 5:43)
  • For Christians:
    “Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.” (Surah 5:47)
  • For All People of the Book:
    “O People of the Book, you have no ground to stand upon unless you uphold the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.” (Surah 5:68)

If the Torah and Gospel were already corrupted in Muhammad’s day, these commands would make no sense.

Muhammad and the Scriptures

Interestingly, even Muhammad himself was told to consult the earlier scriptures if he doubted his revelations:

  • “But if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to you, ask those who have been reading the Book before you.” (Surah 10:94)

This only makes sense if the “Book before” was intact and reliable. Otherwise, Allah would be telling Muhammad to confirm his revelations by consulting corrupted sources—a theological absurdity.

The Core Problem

Here is the heart of the dilemma:

  • If the Torah and Gospel are reliable (as the Qur’an repeatedly states), Islam is false because its teachings contradict them.
  • If the Torah and Gospel are unreliable, Islam is also false because the Qur’an affirms their reliability.

Thus, on its own terms, Islam collapses.

Notes

  1. On Qur’anic clarity: The Qur’an describes itself as a “clear book” (Surah 11:1; 12:1; 15:1), undercutting claims that these verses are ambiguous.
  2. On “confirming what is before it”: The Arabic phrase bayna yadayhi (“between his hands”) in Surah 3:3–4 refers to scriptures still present at the time of Muhammad, not lost or corrupted texts.
  3. On Hadith evidence: Multiple hadith collections show Muhammad affirming the Torah and acknowledging its ongoing authority (see also Jami al-Tirmidhi 2653).
  4. On historical context: By the 7th century, the Torah and Gospel were widely circulated across Jewish and Christian communities, and no evidence of textual loss or wholesale corruption supports the Muslim claim.

Conclusion

The Islamic Dilemma is a theological problem rooted in the Qur’an itself. In affirming the inspiration, preservation, and authority of the Torah and the Gospel—while contradicting them—the Qur’an places Islam in an inescapable bind.

This is why Muslim apologists often find themselves forced to reject or reinterpret the Qur’an’s plain statements. Yet, as David Wood emphasizes, if Muslims take their own scripture seriously, they must admit what follows:

Islam, by its own standards, refutes itself.