The Quran and the Bible

What are the similarities and differences?

In this course you will learn about the differences and similarities between the Quran and the Bible, with guest instructor Sharif Randhawa.


Who is this course for?


If you’d like to:

  • Answer your questions about the Quran and the Bible

  • Understand the key differences and similarities of the Prophet's stories in these two books

  • Increase your conviction of the Quran

  • Better appreciate the books of Allah that He sent to His prophets (pbut)

  • Be a more confident Muslim

  • Learn more about your own deen

  • Be able to teach your idea about people of other faiths they interact with

  • Connect with your fellow humans at an interfaith level

Then this is the course for you!

Curriculum:

We will focus on the stories of the Prophets - how the Quran retells their stories in biblical tradition with important similarities and differences. We will look at the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus - and even Muhammad, peace be upon them all!

Course length:

  • 13 lessons, all between 90 and 120 minutes

Homework:

There's no actual homework, but to ensure the information doesn't fade away once the classes finish, regular review of the slides and lessons will help to cement it in your mind. This will help when trying to impart what you've learnt to others, as well.

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites, except a keen mind!

Materials required:

  • A notebook and pen

  • An internet connection

  • A computer / phone / tablet, with a working speaker

Students receive:

  • Every recording

  • All materials used by the instructor

Course length:

  • 12 lessons, all between 90 and 120 minutes

What can I do after this?

We recommend joining our Quranic Supplications course, to continue reflecting on the Quran.

Alternatively, we urge you to check out all our courses here.

Please share this page with your family and friends, to support our courses and instructor, and so we can continue to create more content, inshaa'Allah.

See you inside the course!

About Your Instructor

Sharif Randhawa

Guest Instructor

Sharif Randhawa studied Arabic at the Dream program and then went on to complete his Bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Washington. He is currently pursuing graduate studies in the same field at the University of Chicago. His interests include the composition of the Quran as well as its relationship with biblical tradition. He authored Divine Speech: Exploring the Quran as Literature and was a researcher on the Quran for Bayyinah Institute. He currently is a guest instructor for the Islamic Seminary of America

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Course curriculum

  • 1

    The Quran and The Bible

    • Welcome!

    • Link to Slides
  • 2

    Lesson 1: Introduction of Course

    • 1.1: Introduction to our Guest Instructor

    • 1.2: Should we Study the Bible? - Part 1

    • 1.3: Should we Study the Bible? - Part 2

    • 1.4: Similarities and Differences (Terminology) - Part 1

    • 1.5: Similarities and Differences (Terminology) - Part 2

    • 1.6: Stories of the Prophets

    • 1.7: Jesus: Prophet or Son of God?

    • 1.8: Jesus Dying for Makind's Sins

    • 1.9: Q&A
  • 3

    Lesson 2: The Quran and Biblical Tradition

    • 2.1: The Old Testament

    • 2.2: The New Testament

    • 2.3: Extra-Canonical Literature

    • 2.4: The Quran's Relationship to the Bible

    • 2.5: Quranic Terms for Previous Scriptures

    • 2.6: Quran and Bible in Muslim Scholarship

    • 2.7: Quran and Bible in Western Scholarship - Part 1

    • 2.8: Quran and Bible in Western Scholarship - Part 2

    • 2.9: Engagement with Jewish and Christian Theology

    • 2.10: Interlinguistic Wordplay

    • 2.11: Debates about Salvation History

    • 2.12: Closing Reflections and Q&A - Part 1

    • 2.13: Q&A - Part 2

    • 2.14: Q&A - Part 3
  • 4

    Lesson 3: The Story of Creation

    • 3.1: Introduction

    • 3.2: Holger Zellentin's Studies - Part 1

    • 3.3: Holgen Zellentin's Studies - Part 2

    • 3.4: Similarities and Differences in the Stories - Part 1

    • 3.5: Similarities and Differences in the Stories - Part 2

    • 3.6: The Rabbinic Retelling

    • 3.7: Adam, Eve, and the Tree

    • 3.8: The Genesis Account

    • 3.9: Q&A - Part 1

    • 3.10: Q&A - Part 2

    • 3.11: Q&A - Part 3
  • 5

    Lesson 4: The Flood

    • 4.1: What is History? - Part 1

    • 4.2: What is History? - Part 2

    • 4.3: Prehistory Legends and Myths

    • 4.4: The Flood Myths

    • 4.5: A Historical Core

    • 4.6: The Flood in the Biblical Account - Part 1

    • 4.7: The Flood in the Biblical Account - Part 2

    • 4.8: The Flood in the Biblical Account - Part 3

    • 4.9: The Flood in the Quranic Account

    • 4.10: Conflicts

    • 4.11: Demographic Extent of the Flood

    • 4.12: Geographical Extent of the Flood

    • 4.13: Time Period of the Flood

    • 4.14: Q&A - Part 1

    • 4.15: Q&A - Part 2
  • 6

    Lesson 5: Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac

    • 5.1: The Patriarchs

    • 5.2: Historicity

    • 5.3: The Quran and Parabiblical Traditions

    • 5.4: The Astral Triad

    • 5.5: God's Promises to Abraham

    • 5.6: God's Covenant with Abraham

    • 5.7: Abraham and Ishmael - Part 1

    • 5.8: Abraham and Ishmael - Part 2

    • 5.9: The Ishmaelites and Historical Evidence - Part 1

    • 5.10: The Ishmaelites and Historical Evidence - Part 2

    • 5.11: Abraham and Sarah's Promised Son

    • 5.12: The Binding of Isaac or Ishmael?

    • 5.13: Q&A
  • 7

    Lesson 6: The Setting of the Exodus - Part 1

    • 6.1: Introduction on the Exodus

    • 6.2: Moses and Muhammad

    • 6.3: The Israelites and Slavery

    • 6.4: The Unlikelihood of Escaping Egypt

    • 6.5: Semitic Slave Labor

    • 6.6: City Names and Descriptions

    • 6.7: People Names and Setting of the Exodus

    • 6.8: The Pharaoh of the 'Awtad' - Part 1

    • 6.9: The Pharaoh of the 'Awtad' - Part 2

    • 6.10: Pharaoh's Claim to Divinity and Preservation

    • 6.11: King vs. Pharaoh

    • 6.12: Q&A - Part 1

    • 6.13: Q&A - Part 2
  • 8

    Lesson 7: The Setting of the Exodus - Part 2

    • 7.1: The Adoption of Moses

    • 7.2: Who is God?

    • 7.3: The Plagues

    • 7.4: Moses' Following and The Re(e)d Sea

    • 7.5: The Wilderness Tradition

    • 7.6: Revelation of the Torah and The Golden Calf Incident

    • 7.7: The Ark of the Covenant and Food in Egypt

    • 7.8: The Incident of The Spies, Korah, and The Death of Moses

    • 7.9: The Late Bronze Age Collapse

    • 7.10: The House in Paradise

    • 7.11: Q&A - Part 1

    • 7.12: Q&A - Part 2

    • 7.13: Q&A - Part 3

    • 7.14: Q&A - Part 4

    • 7.15: Q&A - Part 5

    • 7.16 - Q&A - Part 6

    • 7.17: Q&A - Part 7
  • 9

    Lesson 8: The Conquest of The Promised Land, Monarchy, Exile and Return

    • 8.1: Introduction of the Conquest

    • 8.2: Conquest of the Promised Land - Part 1

    • 8.3: Conquest of the Promised Land - Part 2

    • 8.4: The Book of Joshua

    • 8.5: The Deuteronomistic History and The Conquest in the Quran

    • 8.6: Hadiths on the Conquest

    • 8.7: Historical Issues

    • 8.8: The Pre-Monarchic Period and The Beginning of Monarchy

    • 8.9: The Monarchy in the Quran - Part 1

    • 8.10: The Monarchy in the Quran - Part 2

    • 8.11: A Case of Confusion - Part 1

    • 8.12: A Case of Confusion - Part 2

    • 8.13: The Quranic Name of Talut

    • 8.14: Q&A - Part 1

    • 8.15: Q&A - Part 2
  • 10

    Lesson 9: The Beginning of the Monarchy

    • 9.1: David's Kingdom and Prophecy in the Quran

    • 9.2: The Tel Dan Stele

    • 9.3: The Reign of Solomon

    • 9.4: Historical Evidence

    • 9.5: Divided Kingdoms, The Prophets and Their Books

    • 9.6: Function of Prophets

    • 9.7: Key Concept - The Day of the Lord (YHVH) - Part 1

    • 9.8: Key Concept - The Day of the Lord (YHVH) - Part 2

    • 9.9: The Assyrian Exile

    • 9.10: Q&A - Part 1

    • 9.11: Q&A - Part 2

    • 9.12: Q&A - Part 3

    • 9.13: Q&A - Part 4

    • 9.14: Q&A - Part 5
  • 11

    Lesson 10: The Babylonian Exile

    • 10.1: Review

    • 10.2: The Babylonian Exile

    • 10.3: Deliverance From Exile

    • 10.4: The Second Temple Period and The Postexilic Persian Period

    • 10.5: The Hellenistic Period

    • 10.6: The Hasmonean Period

    • 10.7: Significance of the Second Temple Period and Key Concepts

    • 10.8: Messiah and Resurrection

    • 10.9: Jewish Sects

    • 10.10: The Roman Occupation and The Emergence of Christianity and Judaism

    • 10.11: Q&A - Part 1

    • 10.12: Q&A - Part 2

  • 12

    Lesson 11: Christian Origins

    • 11.1: What is Christianity?

    • 11.2: The Structure of the New Testament

    • 11.3: Paul and The Canonization of the New Testament

    • 11.4: The Gospels

    • 11.5: The Life and Ministry of Jesus in the Gospels and The Temple Complex

    • 11.6: The Nativity of John the Baptist and Jesus in the Qur'an

    • 11.7: The Birth of Jesus in the Qur'an

    • 11.8: "O Sister of Aaron"

    • 11.9: The Titles of Jesus in the Quran

    • 11.10: The Miracles of Jesus

    • 11.11: Q&A - Part 1

    • 11.12: Q&A - Part 2

    • 11.13: Q&A - Part 3

    • 11.14: Q&A - Part 4
  • 13

    Lesson 12: The Conclusion of the Monastery of Jesus

    • 12.1: The Conclusion of the Ministry of Jesus

    • 12.2: Exegetical Notes

    • 12.3: The Crucifixion - Part 1

    • 12.4: The Crucifixion - Part 2

    • 12.5: The Crucifixion - Part 3

    • 12.6: The Crucifixion - Part 4 - The Jewish Perspective

    • 12.7: Talmudic Subtext

    • 12.8: God Takes Jesus' Soul

    • 12.9: Christ's Death and Resurrection in the Quran

    • 12.10: God's 'Raising' of Jesus

    • 12.11: Comparison with Christian Views and The Divinity of Jesus

    • 12.12: Further Reading

    • 12.13: Q&A - Part 1

    • 12.14: Q&A - Part 2

    • 12.15: Q&A - Part 3

    • 12.16: Q&A - Part 4
  • 14

    Lesson 13: Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) Foretold

    • 13.1: The Promise to Abraham

    • 13.2: A Prophet Like Moses

    • 13.3: Interpretation of the Prophecy

    • 13.4: Likeness to Moses

    • 13.5: The Prophet's First Revelation

    • 13.6: Objection and Answer

    • 13.7: The Prophet's Description

    • 13.8: Isaiah 42

    • 13.9: Villages of Kedar and Inhabitants of Sela

    • 13.10: The Paraclete and The Messenger 'Whose Name is Ahmad'

    • 13.11: Parable of the Wicked Tenants

    • 13.12: The Destruction of the Temple and Conclusion (References)

    • 13.13: Q&A - Part 1

    • 13.14: Q&A - Part 2

    • 13.15: Q&A - Part 3 (Where to Learn Arabic)
  • 15

    Feedback

    • Feedback form

FAQ

  • Are the classes live?

    The classes are all pre-recorded, so you can complete the course in your own time, at your own pace.

  • Is there an age requirement?

    We've had students from ages 8-70+ in our courses and they've all enjoyed it and benefited. We recommend children under 10 take our classes with an adult.

  • Do you offer scholarships?

    We never want finances to stand in the way of learning. If you require financial aid, contact us at success@getquranic.com and we will find the best solution for you.

  • Is there a refund policy?

    If you register for lifetime access for one course, or subscribe monthly, and your expectations were not met, then you may email us within 30 days at support@getquranic.com to receive a prompt, no-questions-asked, full refund.

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