Religious deviations and ways to address them between the Holy Qur’an and the Old and New Testaments: A comparative study

Abstract

This study reveals the diversity of religious deviations in the three divine messages. Previous messages, as the Holy Qur'an demonstrates, were subjected to waves of doctrinal and legislative distortions. The most prominent of these distortions was the distortion of the divine scriptures, the attribution of human or material attributes to the divine, the slander of the prophets, and the emptiness of religion of its spiritual essence                                                                                          

In the Holy Qur’an, we find a precise and profound treatment of these deviations, not only in describing them, but also in establishing a comprehensive approach to confronting them, based on pure monotheism, resorting to reason and argument, and referring to the infallible ones among the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them)                 

The Old Testament, on the other hand, emphasizes a historical narrative filled with political conflicts and military orders attributed to God, while portraying prophets as lacking infallibility and even attributing major sins to them, which constitutes a profound doctrinal deviation.

As for the New Testament, despite its tendency toward spirituality, it neglected the legislative aspect and lifted the Sharia from people without a practical religious system, which opened the door to multiple interpretations and behavioral deviations.

 The fundamental reason for these deviations lies in the absence of an infallible authority, and that preserving religion from distortion and deviation can only be achieved by adhering to both the Book and the Prophet's family. History has proven that ignoring this authority after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him and his family) was a reason for the emergence of sects, divisions, and deviations in the understanding of the religious text.