Differences between the Quran Creation narrative with that of the Christian narrative?

Answer 1

Although tradition holds that the Quran was written in heaven and read to the Prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel, we can say that Islam arose at a time when many Arabs had already converted to Christianity or Judaism. The Muslims, as much as the Christians and Jews, are committed to the Pentateuch being written by Moses. Much material in the Koran comes from the Pentateuch, referred to as the Taurat (Hebrew Torah) in the Koran: Moses -502 verses in 36 suras; Abraham - 245 verses in 25 suras; Noah - 131 verses in 28 suras. As we should expect, there are many similarities between the Quranic creation account and the biblical creation account.

The following extracts from the Quran show both similarities and differences between it and The Bible: (007:054) Your Lord is the one GOD, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then assumed all authority. The night overtakes the day, as it pursues it persistently, and the sun, the moon, and the stars are committed to serve by His command. Absolutely, He controls all creation and all commands. Most Exalted is GOD, Lord of the universe.

In the description of the creation of heaven and earth, we see the same view as held by St. Paul and later Christians, but which is not in Genesis: that there were seven heavens: (002.029) It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.

Unlike Jews and Christians, Muslims believe in jinns, apparently pre-Islamic supernatural beings of complex nature and morality. In the context of condemning idols, the Quran acknowledges the God created jinns: (006:100) Yet, they set up beside GOD idols from among the jinns, though He is the One who created them. They even attribute to Him sons and daughters, without any knowledge. Be He glorified. He is the Most High, far above their claims.

Adam is mentioned in many places in the Quran, in different words but the same essence: (004:001) O people, observe your Lord; the One who created you from one being, and created from it its mate, then spread from the two many men and women. You shall regard GOD, by whom you swear, and regard the parents. GOD is watching over you.

After creating Adam, God demanded that the angels prostrate themselves before Adam: We created you, then we shaped you, then we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except Iblees (Satan); he was not with the prostrators.