The Injil is the Arabic word for the Gospel, the revelation the Qur'an says God gave to Jesus (5:46). In Christianity, the Gospel is the good news of Jesus recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Do Muslims believe the Gospel was changed?

Many Muslims hold the view of tahrif, that the original Injil given to Jesus was later altered. It is a sincere and common position. Christians hold that the Gospels faithfully preserve the eyewitness testimony; the best response is to read the text and examine it.

Can a Muslim read the Gospel?

Yes. The Qur'an itself calls the Injil 'guidance and a light' (5:46). Many Muslims read the Gospels, often beginning with John or Luke, to learn about Jesus in his own words.

Christianity & Islam

The Injil (Gospel) in Islam and Christianity

The Qur'an speaks of the Injil, the Gospel, as a revelation God gave to Jesus, 'guidance and a light' (5:46). In Islam the Injil is one of the holy books. In Christianity the Gospel is the good news of Jesus, recorded by his followers in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Many Muslims wonder whether today's Gospels are the same Injil; this page looks at that honestly, and invites you to read it.

What the Qur’an says

“...And We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah, a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).”

Qur'an, Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:46 (Pickthall)

The Qur’an holds the Injil in honour and even calls on the People of the Gospel to judge by what God revealed in it (5:47). Many Muslims believe the original Injil was a single book given to Jesus and that today’s Gospels differ from it, a view known as tahrif (alteration). It is a sincerely held position, and we state it plainly rather than brushing past it.

What Christians believe

Christians understand ‘the Gospel’ as the good news of Jesus, his life, teaching, death, and resurrection, written down by those who knew him or knew the eyewitnesses. The four Gospels are our earliest and best sources for what Jesus said and did, supported by thousands of ancient manuscripts.

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Mark 1:1 (KJV)

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

John 20:31 (KJV)

Where they agree

Both faiths hold that God gave a true revelation through Jesus and speak of the Gospel with honour as guidance and light.

Where they differ

Islam generally teaches the original Injil was a book given to Jesus and later altered; Christianity holds that the Gospels faithfully preserve the eyewitness testimony about Jesus. On the reliability of the text, the traditions differ, so the honest thing is to read it and weigh it yourself.

The Qur’an calls the Gospel ‘guidance and a light.’ If that is so, it is worth reading with your own eyes. The Gospel of John is a gentle place to start.

Qur’an quotations: Pickthall (1930, public domain); translations vary, compare others at quran.com. Bible: King James Version. Every reference on this page was checked against its primary source.

The word itself

الإنجيل (al-Injil) → εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) → the Gospel

al-Injil in Arabic, euangelion in Greek, 'good news.' The Qur'an calls it guidance and light; Christians call it the record of Jesus himself. Either way, it is meant to be read.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Injil?: The Injil is the Arabic word for the Gospel, the revelation the Qur'an says God gave to Jesus (5:46). In Christianity, the Gospel is the good news of Jesus recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Do Muslims believe the Gospel was changed?: Many Muslims hold the view of tahrif, that the original Injil given to Jesus was later altered. It is a sincere and common position. Christians hold that the Gospels faithfully preserve the eyewitness testimony; the best response is to read the text and examine it.
Can a Muslim read the Gospel?: Yes. The Qur'an itself calls the Injil 'guidance and a light' (5:46). Many Muslims read the Gospels, often beginning with John or Luke, to learn about Jesus in his own words.

Come and see

The Qur’an itself honours the Injil (the Gospel) as “guidance and a light” (5:46). The most direct way to know who Jesus is, is to read his words for yourself. There is no pressure here, and no one has to know. You are welcome exactly as you are.

Read the Gospel of John Why Jesus?Ask for prayer

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