By definition, these are Hadiths, narratives written about a prophet rather than revelation directly received by him. The Quran, however, speaks of the true Injeel, which exists within its own pages, not as a separate book that was later compiled or lost.
The Injeel Is Within the Quran, Not an External Scripture
When the Quran references the Torah and Injeel, it consistently uses the phrase “Bayna Yadayhi” (بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ), literally meaning “between his hands.” Many translators, influenced by external theological interpretations, have erroneously rendered this phrase as “what came before it.”
However, a precise reading of the Arabic suggests that the Torah and Injeel existed in the hands of the prophets themselves, and were not external, separate books predating the Quran.
Quranic Evidence
Surah 5:46
“And in their footsteps, We sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Torah between his hands (bayna yadayhi). We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Torah that (was) between his hands: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear God.”
Surah 61:6
“And when Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of God unto you, confirming what is between my hands (bayna yadayya) of the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who comes after me, whose name is the Praised One…”
These verses explicitly indicate that the Torah and Injeel were present with Isa (AS), rather than being texts lost to history.
The True Injeel: The Gospel of Yahya (John the Baptist)
If the New Testament is not the Injeel, then what is?
The Quran itself provides an answer:
the Gospel of Yahya (John the Baptist), the son of Zakariya (AS).
A crucial distinction must be made here. The Biblical “Gospel of John” is attributed to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee, a disciple of Isa (AS). However, the Yahya (John) of the Quran is a different person entirely—a prophet chosen by Allah before Isa’s mission.
The Mysterious “Q Source”
Biblical scholars have long debated the existence of an early, now-lost source from which Matthew and Luke copied their material. This hypothetical document is known as the “Q Source.” Could this missing Gospel actually be the book of Yahya, the one he was commanded by Allah to record?
Why Was Yahya Chosen?
Unlike the disciples, Yahya is given a uniquely high status in the Quran.
• He was chosen to receive divine wisdom as a child (Surah 19:12).
• His character was marked by purity, righteousness, and devotion (Surah 19:13-15).
In contrast, the Quran presents the disciples of Isa in a far less favorable light. In Surah 3:52-54, Isa perceived their disbelief, he asked them to proclaim faith. Yet, the verse later states:
Surah 3:54
“And they schemed, and Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.”
This passage implies that not all the disciples were unwavering in faith and were part of a greater test.
Also in Surah 5:111-115 when Isa’s disciples asked for a table spread from heaven, Allah’s response was not one of immediate acceptance but rather a warning:
Surah 5:115
Allah said, "Indeed I (will) send it down to you, then whoever disbelieves after (that) among you, then indeed I [I] will punish him (with) a punishment not I have punished anyone among the worlds.”
This caution suggests a lack of conviction or faith among the disciples, further reinforcing that they were not the ones entrusted with the true Gospel.
Allah’s Promise of Preservation
If the Injeel were a separate book, it would have been lost or altered, contradicting Allah’s promise to protect His revelation:
Surah 15:9
“Absolutely, We have revealed the Reminder, and,
absolutely, We will preserve it.”
The Quran is the final revelation, containing within it is the true Gospel of Yahya, free from corruption.
The Gospel of Yahya in Surah Maryam
Surah Maryam (Chapter 19) provides a detailed account of Yahya’s mission and the message he was entrusted with.
1.
Surah 19:1-11 – How Yahya came to be and his miraculous birth is announced:
19:7
"O Zakariya! Surely We give you good news of a boy whose name shall be Yahya: We have not made before anyone his equal.”
2.
Surah 19:12 – Yahya is commanded to take the Book:
“O Yahya! Take hold of the Book with strength, and We granted him wisdom while yet a child.”
3.
Surah 19.13-15 - Character reference of Yahya:
And affection from Us and purity and he was righteous. And dutiful to his parents, and not he was a tyrant disobedient. And peace be upon him (the) day he was born and (the) day he dies and (the) day he will be raised alive.
4.
Surah 19:16 – Yahya is told to record the story of Maryam:
“And mention Maryam in the Book…”
5.
Surah 19:39 – Yahya is warned to convey a message:
“And warn them of a day of intense regret…”
6.
Surah 19.41 - Yahya is being told to mention in the book:
"And mention Ibrahim in the Book......"
7.
Surah 19.51 - Yahya is being told to mention in the book:
" And mention Musa in the Book......"
8.
Surah 19.54 - Yahya is being told to mention in the book:
" And mention Ismail in the Book......"
9.
Surah 19.56 - Yahya is being told to mention in the book:
"And mention Idris in the Book......"
10.
You can even argue that as far as Surah 19.97, Yahya is being told it will be in his language:
Surah 19.97
"we have only made it easy in your tongue that you may give good news"
-is still directly speaking to Yahya.
The repeated phrase “mention [prophet] in the Book” suggests that Surah Maryam itself is the true Injeel, recorded by Yahya.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the True Gospel
The Quran does not validate the New Testament as the Injeel. Instead, it presents a compelling case that the real Gospel is preserved within its own text, particularly in Surah Maryam.
The Injeel was not a lost scripture but a living revelation entrusted to Yahya, recorded within the final revelation—the Quran.
The disciples’ accounts, compiled decades after Isa’s departure, were prone to distortion. The Quran not only corrects their narrative but also warns that Isa will distance himself from their writings on the Day of Judgment (5:116-119).
Thus, the Muslim Gospel is not the New Testament—it is the Injeel of Yahya, preserved within the Quran itself.