Spotlight On Islam

If You Doubt the Qur’an — Come to Us

A Plain-Language, Qur’an-Alone Analysis of Qur’an 10:94 and 16:43

1. Introduction — Let the Qur’an Speak for Itself

The Qur’an repeatedly claims it is clear, self-authenticating, and authoritative, requiring no human commentary or interpretation to prove its truth.

Two verses stand out for instructing verification through prior revelation:

Qur’an 10:94 —

وَإِن كُنتَ فِي شَكٍّ مِّمَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ فَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ يَقْرَأُونَ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ لَقَدْ جَاءَكَ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ
“If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters.”

Qur’an 16:43 —

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“And We did not send before you [O Muhammad] except men to whom We revealed. So ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know.”

Both verses state plainly that the Torah and Gospel exist, are readable, and are reliable sources for verification. This is not a suggestion, inference, or assumption — it is a declarative Qur’anic claim. Later Islamic ideas claiming these Scriptures were corrupted (taḥrīf) are human interpretations, not Qur’anic statements.

2. The Plain Meaning of 10:94 and 16:43

Reading these verses literally:

Conditional clauses:
- 10:94: “If you are in doubt” — verification is possible.
- 16:43: “If you do not know” — instruction to seek confirmation.
Commands to consult prior Scripture:
- 10:94: “Ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you”.
- 16:43: “Ask the people of the Reminder”.
Together, they assert that prior revelation exists, is readable, and is reliable for verification.
Assurance of truth:
- 10:94: “The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord”.

Plain reading yields a clear, unavoidable fact: the Qur’an relies on prior Scriptures as valid instruments of verification, independent of human interpretation.

3. Supporting Qur’anic Evidence — Affirmation of Prior Scripture

Other Qur’anic verses reinforce this principle:

Verse	Arabic	English Translation
2:41	وَآمِنُوا بِمَا أَنزَلْتُ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ	“Believe in what I have revealed, confirming what is with you.”
3:3–4	أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ	“He revealed the Qur’an to you in truth, confirming what was before it; He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.”
5:44	وَأَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ	“We revealed the Torah, containing guidance and light.”
5:46	وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَى آثَارِهِم بِالْمُرْسَلِينَ وَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الإِنجِيلَ	“We followed their footsteps with the messengers and revealed to them the Gospel.”
5:47	وَلْيَحْكُمَ أَهْلُ الإِنجِيلِ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ	“Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.”
5:48	وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ	“We revealed the Qur’an in truth, confirming what was before it.”
6:115	كَلِمَةَ رَبِّكَ تَمَّتْ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا	“The word of your Lord is complete in truth and justice.”
12:111	فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ	“In their stories there is a lesson for people of reason.”

Each verse asserts that prior Scripture exists, is readable, and is reliable for verification. There is no presupposition or inference — these are explicit statements.

4. Logical Consequences

Syllogism 1 — Verification Principle

A revelation instructing verification through a source implies that the source is reliable.
Qur’an 10:94 and 16:43 instruct verification through prior Scripture.
→ Therefore, the Qur’an treats the Torah and Gospel as reliable for confirming divine truth.

Syllogism 2 — Contradiction with Human Corruption Claims

Later human interpretations claim prior Scripture is corrupted (taḥrīf).
The Qur’an treats prior Scripture as reliable (10:94, 16:43, 5:44–48).
A text cannot simultaneously treat a source as reliable and unreliable.
→ Therefore, accepting human corruption claims creates a logical contradiction with the Qur’an itself.

5. The Qur’an’s Repeated Affirmation

Both 10:94 and 16:43 reinforce that prior revelation is accessible and authoritative:

10:94 — directs asking those who read prior Scripture.
16:43 — directs asking the people of the Reminder.
5:46–48 — Jews and Christians commanded to judge by Torah and Gospel.
3:3–4 — prior Scriptures revealed as guidance and confirmation of truth.
2:41, 12:111 — stories in prior Scriptures contain lessons for people of reason.

The Qur’an explicitly states these facts, leaving no room for assumptions or human reinterpretation.

6. Logical Implications

Following the Qur’an’s own declarations:

Qur’an’s truth is verified through prior Scripture.
Prior Scripture exists, is readable, and contains guidance.
Qur’an commands consultation with prior Scripture (10:94, 16:43).
Human claims of corruption deny the reliability of these Scriptures.
→ Therefore, human corruption claims contradict the Qur’an itself, undermining its self-verifying mechanism.

7. Why Human Interpretations Cannot Rescue the Qur’an

The Qur’an claims clarity (16:89, 12:111).
Later tafsīr or reinterpretation is not authorized by the Qur’an itself.
Divine speech that requires human reinterpretation ceases to be self-authenticating, contradicting the Qur’an’s claim.

8. Stepwise Summary of Logic

Step	Proposition	Deduction
1	Qur’an 10:94 and 16:43 direct verification through prior Scripture	Plain reading
2	Verification requires the source to be reliable	Logic principle
3	Qur’an treats prior Scripture as reliable	Deduction
4	Human corruption claims deny reliability	Historical observation
5	A source cannot be both reliable and unreliable simultaneously	Law of Non-Contradiction
✅	Qur’an’s verification fails under human corruption claims	Necessary inference

9. Conclusion — The Qur’an Speaks for Itself

The Qur’an states that the Torah and Gospel exist, are readable, and are reliable sources for verification.
10:94 and 16:43 explicitly instruct consulting prior Scripture to confirm divine truth.
Later human claims of corruption are not in the Qur’an and contradict its plain statements.
Following the Qur’an’s own words and logic leaves no ambiguity: its verification mechanism either works (then the Bible is authoritative) or fails (then the Qur’an cannot self-validate).

If you doubt the Qur’an, the Qur’an directs you to consult the Bible — and the Bible, by its own guidance, does not corroborate the Qur’an’s unique claims. The text speaks for itself. Its logic is clear. Human interpretations cannot override it.