Quran and Gospel of Luke:

Quran and Gospel of Luke: Similarities

The writing found within the Qur'an and the Gospel of Luke shows similar stylistic choices made by the writer of each book. The writing style used by both authors incorporates narrative and dialogue both for historical purposes but also to inspire the reader. Both authors use many of the same stories to relay the divinity of God. Finally, both texts were written to teach and assist those who are already believers. These stylistic similarities offer an interesting dichotomy wherein two texts from two seemingly distant religions actually call upon the same tools to inspire, teach, and explain divinity to those who seek spiritual guidance.

The narrative examples in both the Gospel of Luke and the Qur'an are not difficult to find. The Gospel of Luke mainly tells the history of Jesus' life, including the prediction of the Immaculate Conception. Though the author of the Gospel is attempting to be informative, the story of Jesus' life is also given a story-like feel, in many cases including conversation. For example, in the story where Jesus multiplied the fish and loaves, the apostles say, "Send the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions" (Luke 9:12). This is a very practical, conversational piece of dialogue. This sort of conversation is normally reserved for stories, not histories written years after the deaths of those involved. Similarly, the Qur'an uses both prose and poetry to glorify Allah and his prophet Muhammad. Many of these accounts also use narrative and conversational dialogue to make a point. One example exists in Surah 21:55, where those with Abraham ask him if he is joking: "They said: 'Are you speaking in earnest, or only jesting?'"

Since both the Qur'an and the Gospel of Luke relay stories that are spiritually and historically important, it is not difficult to understand why the same stories appear in both. Though the Qur'an is a Muslim text, many of the stories associated with Jesus' divinity are found in it, both complementing and reinforcing those found in the Gospel of Luke. For example, Mary and the angel Gabriel have a discussion when he informs her of her future child. The text reads: "And Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I have no husband?' And the angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you... therefore the child to be born will be called holy" (Luke 1:34). In the corresponding story within the Qur'an, "She said: 'How can I have a son, O Lord, when no man has touched me?' He said: 'That is how God creates what He wills... And he will be Apostle to the children of Israel" (3:47-49). In this case, the books tell the same story. However, even in the areas where the story does not overlap, both books focus on the glorification of prophets and God / Allah through stories and exclamations of their greatness.