Exposing Islam

Why Is Muhammad Told to Ask the People of the Book if in Doubt (Qur’an 10:94), If Their Scriptures Are Supposedly Corrupted?

Introduction: A Qur’anic Puzzle — Ask the People of the Book?

In the Qur’an, a remarkable verse seems to present a paradox: the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is instructed to consult the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) if he is in doubt about the revelation he has received:

“So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], 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 never be among the doubters.”
— (Surah Yunus 10:94)

But how could this make sense? Islam teaches that the Qur’an is the final, perfect, and preserved word of Allah, while the scriptures of the People of the Book — the Torah and the Gospel — are believed to have been altered and corrupted over time. So why would the Prophet be directed to ask their followers for confirmation?

To understand this verse, we must explore the deeper context of revelation, the nature of the People of the Book, the status of their scriptures, and how classical Islamic scholars have interpreted this puzzling instruction.

1. Context of Revelation: Reassurance, Not Doubt

A. The Human Side of Prophethood

The Qur’an acknowledges the humanity of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. As a man entrusted with the weighty task of delivering Allah’s final message to humanity, he faced rejection, hostility, and even threats from the disbelievers of Mecca. In such a difficult environment, the Qur’an frequently provides him with words of comfort and reassurance:

“We know that you are saddened by what they say. And they certainly do not call you untruthful, but it is the signs of Allah that the wrongdoers reject.”
— (Surah Al-An’am 6:33)

B. A Divine Reassurance, Not an Actual Inquiry

Islamic scholars explain that Surah Yunus 10:94 is not a directive for the Prophet to actually ask the People of the Book about the truth of the Qur’an. Instead, it is a rhetorical reassurance, affirming that the message he received is consistent with previous revelations.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as the final messenger, did not require confirmation from any human source. This verse is meant to emphasize that the Qur’an is not a new or alien message but a continuation of the divine truth revealed to earlier prophets.

2. Who Are the People of the Book, and What Are Their Scriptures?

A. The Identity of the People of the Book

The People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab) are specifically identified in the Qur’an as Jews and Christians, who were given previous scriptures:
- The Torah (Tawrah) given to Musa (Moses).
- The Psalms (Zabur) given to Dawud (David).
- The Gospel (Injil) given to Isa (Jesus).

B. The Divine Status of Their Scriptures

The Qur’an acknowledges the divine origin of these scriptures in their original form:
- “Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light…”
  — (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:44)
- “And We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light, and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah…”
  — (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:46)
However, the Qur’an also warns that these scriptures have been corrupted over time:
- “So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ in order to exchange it for a small price…”
  — (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:79)

C. Corruption: Textual and Interpretative

Textual Corruption (Tahrif Lafzi): Alteration of the original text.
Interpretative Corruption (Tahrif Ma’nawi): Misinterpretation of the divine message.
Yet, despite this corruption, the Qur’an maintains that remnants of truth still exist within these scriptures, providing a point of reference for those who understand.

3. Why Would Muhammad Be Directed to Ask Them?

A. Confirming the Consistency of Divine Revelation

The instruction to ask the People of the Book is a rhetorical device, affirming that the Qur’an is consistent with the teachings of previous prophets.
Even though their scriptures were corrupted, the People of the Book still retained knowledge of true monotheism and the coming of a final prophet, which is confirmed in the Qur’an:

“Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him (Muhammad) as they know their own sons…”
— (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:146)

B. A Challenge to the Disbelievers

Some scholars explain that this verse is also a challenge to the disbelievers of Mecca:
- If they doubted Muhammad’s prophethood, they could consult the learned Jews and Christians who recognized the descriptions of the final prophet in their scriptures.
This aligns with the Qur’anic narrative that the People of the Book were aware of the prophecies regarding the coming of Muhammad ﷺ:

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel…”
— (Surah Al-A’raf 7:157)

4. How Islamic Scholars Interpret Qur’an 10:94

A. Tafsir Ibn Kathir: A Rhetorical Assurance

Ibn Kathir explains that this verse is not a directive for the Prophet to actually ask the People of the Book but a reassurance of the truth of his message.
The Qur’an challenges the disbelievers to verify the consistency of Muhammad’s message with the teachings of previous prophets.

B. Tafsir Al-Qurtubi: Addressing the Doubters

Al-Qurtubi interprets this verse as a message to the doubters of Muhammad’s prophethood, advising them to consult the People of the Book who possess knowledge of the prophecies.

C. Tafsir At-Tabari: Affirming the Truth

At-Tabari highlights that the verse is a confirmation of the truth of the Qur’an, urging those who reject it to recognize its consistency with earlier divine guidance.

5. Conclusion: Qur’an 10:94 — A Divine Reaffirmation, Not an Inquiry

The instruction for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to “ask the People of the Book” is not an admission of doubt, nor is it an affirmation of the absolute authenticity of their scriptures. Rather, it is a profound rhetorical assurance of the Qur’an’s truth. It serves several purposes:

Reassurance for the Prophet: Affirming that his message is consistent with divine truth.
A Challenge to the Disbelievers: Encouraging them to seek confirmation from those who recognize the continuity of divine guidance.
Recognition of Divine Truth Within Corrupted Texts: While the scriptures of the People of the Book were corrupted, remnants of true divine knowledge still remain within them.

Key Takeaways:

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not doubt his message; this verse is a rhetorical assurance of the Qur’an’s truth.
The People of the Book possess knowledge of divine truth, even if their scriptures have been corrupted.
The Qur’an maintains continuity with previous revelations, reinforcing the Prophet’s mission.

In Islam, the Qur’an is the final, perfect, and preserved word of Allah. But it also acknowledges the divine origins of the Torah and the Gospel, even as it warns of their later corruption. Qur’an 10:94 is a profound reminder of the continuity of divine guidance — and a challenge to those who deny the truth.