How many years after the Bible was the Quran written? The answer depends on whether you’re comparing the Quran to the Old Testament, the New Testament, or the completed biblical canon. Looking at the historical timeline helps explain the relationship between these sacred texts and when each was written.
Historical Context of the Bible and the Quran
The Bible and the Quran were formed in different ways. The Bible is a collection of books written over many centuries, while Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over about 23 years.
As a result, comparing the two requires looking at several important dates rather than a single point in history.
When Was the Old Testament Completed?
The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, was completed around 430 BC. It contains three major sections:
- The Torah (the Law)
- The Nevi’im (the Prophets)
- The Ketuvim (the Writings)
These books were written over many centuries before the time of Jesus Christ.
When Was the New Testament Written?
The New Testament was written much later. Most scholars date its books between about AD 45 and AD 100, with the final writings completed around AD 90–100.
These books record the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, along with the history of the early Christian Church.
Although Christians used these writings much earlier, church leaders formally recognized the biblical canon during the fourth century AD.
When Was the Quran Written?
The Prophet Muhammad was born in AD 571. According to Islamic belief, he received revelations from God through the angel Gabriel over approximately 23 years.
These revelations were later compiled into the Quran, which was completed in AD 632, the year Muhammad died.
The Quran contains 114 chapters, known as surahs.
Shared Biblical Figures
The Quran includes many people who also appear in the Bible, including:
- Moses
- Abraham
- Lot
- Jesus
- Mary
In addition, it mentions prophets such as Hud and Shu’ayb, who are not found in the biblical text.
How Was the Quran Preserved?
Unlike the Bible, the Quran was first preserved primarily through oral recitation. Muhammad’s followers memorized the revelations before they were compiled into written form.
Today, memorizing and reciting the Quran remains an important part of Islamic worship throughout the world.
Bible and Quran Timeline
- Old Testament completed: approximately 430 BC
- New Testament completed: approximately AD 90–100
- Biblical canon widely recognized: approximately AD 300–400
- Quran completed: AD 632
How Many Years After the Bible Was the Quran Written?
The answer depends on which milestone you compare.
- From the Old Testament (430 BC) to the Quran (AD 632): approximately 1,000 years.
- From the New Testament (AD 100) to the Quran (AD 632): approximately 530 years.
- From the recognized biblical canon (AD 300–400) to the Quran (AD 632): approximately 200–300 years.
Conclusion
How many years after the Bible was the Quran written? Historically, the Quran was completed several centuries after the Bible. It was finalized in AD 632, roughly 530 years after the New Testament and about 1,000 years after the Old Testament.
Although the Quran shares many biblical figures and historical traditions, it remains a distinct religious text with its own message, structure, and theological teachings.
Watch Next
If you’d like to continue studying this topic, read our article on How Many Times Is Jesus Mentioned in the Quran? to explore Jesus’ role in Islamic scripture.
For additional historical background, you can also explore the Encyclopaedia Britannica overview of the Quran.
