A Literary Contrast of the Bible with the Qur’an

It was once posited to me, by my friend J____ that the Bible and the Qur'an were identical. So, I investigated this. Where to begin?

Literarily, there is a plot structure. Beginning, Middle, End. The Bible demonstrates this plot structure. The Qur'an, in the first two chapters, displays an odd sort of jumping around, and incoherence. It talks of the Christian theology of Resurrection, it talks of the Jewish Law given by Moses, it talks of Adam and Eve. Which, if it wishes to invoke these themes, it should at least get them right. Which it does not. Rather, it invokes some doctrine of Reincarnation and a doctrine of Hell, and a doctrine of disobedience and obedience. It throws some cursory analysis of Genesis and Exodus. But, it is entirely incoherent.

The Bible, however, from the Book of Genesis, comprises an entire Ethical Lexicon based in the most original laws of Monotheism. It gives a history, based on the most original mythologies of Monotheism. It gives detailed story---rather than sparse commentary---and frankly, this is just the beginning of my criticism of the Qur'an.

Frankly, I'm disinterested in it... but am simply offended that my friend would suggest something so slanderous. As it's a common theme among Atheists to say that the Bible and Qur'an are so similar, and so much the same. This is entirely false.

What I've read of the Qur'an, it seems to be diatribes telling its adherent to believe in their god. And this is all it is. Always reasserting itself as authentic, while borrowing heavily on the Bible to even be understood. Couple that with the fact that it claims its simplicity is the proof of its authenticity, yet what in life is ever simple? What moral teachings are sparse, it inquires itself that it is from Gabriel, given to Muhammad. One section actually implored a writer, that if they were given divine revelation, to match the Chapters of the Qur'an. Which, isn't hard to do, actually. As it talks of a parable of a Mosquito, without actually giving it. Probably referring to Jesus' parable, which again, the Qur'an is making itself a commentary again, on stories outside of its own domain. As it goes on long, tireless rants of false piety, and reverence, and demanding obedience. Always scolding you, where the Bible invites; as is true for any great poetry, it doesn't demand obedience, but seeks to win you over with persuasion. And the whole revelation is given to Muhammad, who implores that Moses gave scripture. Should Moses have given scripture, I'd say that the scripture Moses gave is 100% imperative for understanding the Qur'an, and if understood, makes the Qur'an seem quite silly.

There is no beginning. It begins with Muhammad and Gabriel. The Bible begins with "In the Beginning, God Created the Heaven and the Earth." A beginning. Then the Bible has a complex history--corroborated by actual evidence---from the Late Bronze Age until the days of Rome. An actual history of a people is transferred from these verses of the Bible. Their actual laws. Their actual culture. Their actual rituals. Their actual miracles and Mythology. And most importantly, their actual history.

Muhammad in an effort to appropriate this---for a simple false friend (bilingual homophone), is what we discover later on in the Qur'an, that makes Muhammad believe he knows better---goes on a sort of incoherent rant about resurrection, obedience to god, reincarnation and the Jewish Law.

Later, we get a diatribe against poets---likely because the book was worried someone would discover the poetry of Genius found in many of the great poets and philosophers---which tells the adherent not to read poetry, unless it's from a Muslim. Which this duplicitous reasoning, is also to shield them from the fact, that many poets throughout history have achieved greater clarity and success than the Qur'an.

Later, there are antisemitic rants telling you to despise Jews, and to both trust yet absolutely not trust Christians. It tells of those who feign obedience to the Qur'an in public but in private espouse a strange doctrine. While, on the other end, Islam advocates lying about one's faith to avoid persecution...

As is singing, "Listen to what I say, a child, sleeping in the night, he will bring us goodness and light." And even this, is so coherently woven throughout the miracle of scripture. It is prophesied in Psalms and Prophets. It is so prophetic, that scholars have to increase the year the Bible was written every century or two... and yet, the evidence pushes back its authorship a century or two.

With that said, the Prophecies of the Bible so unerringly prophesy. They so beautifully give description of people's behaviors; it tells the reality of human behavior. It doesn't hide its defeats. It details the entirety of Jewish History---it is one continuous thread from the Beginning, when God created the Heavens and the Earth, to the days we live in now. Compositionally, poetically, logically, it is superior in every way.