What is the Ruling of Reading the Jewish and Christian Bible?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
What is the ruling of reading the Jewish and Christian bible? One scholar said that it is haram, if one wants to get truth from it. As for researchers, he further said that it is mukhtalif. Some say it is permitted, some say it is impermissible, according to him.
I would like to read those books of researchers who falsify their religion (not the Bible itself), be it books from temporary Muslim researchers like Ali Ataie or non-Muslim researchers like Bart Ehrman.
Answer
I pray you are well.
Bismillah.
This depends on your background in the Islamic Sciences. If you understand your creed well, and are not prone to doubts or confusion then reading it may be permissible.
Scholars have deemed reading advanced Islamic theological texts impermissible for someone who does not have the prerequisite knowledge, due to the confusion one of the positions transmitted from a deviant group could cause. (Sanusi, Sharh Umm al-Barahin)
If you are interested in the topic it’s best to listen to experts who will clarify the matter for you. Start by listening to the debates of Shaykh Ahmad Deedat, the work Izhar al-Haqq by Rahmatullah Kairawani, the lectures of Dr Ali Ataie. The works of Bart Erhman are also useful.
Don’t go online trying to find issues and their refutations. This is a quick way to fill yourself with doubts from unscrupulous sources.
May Allah give us certainty in the truth.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
