Does Later Mean Truer?
Timing matters in truth claims
Timing matters in truth claims
Islam teaches that God revealed messages through many prophets, with later revelation correcting earlier misunderstanding.
This raises an important question: If God speaks truthfully, can later messages contradict earlier ones?
If contradictions exist, either understanding changed—or authority shifted.
How later revelation is tested
Islam teaches that God revealed messages through many prophets, with the Qur’an presented as the final and complete revelation.
At the same time, the Qur’an affirms earlier revelation:
“He has sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.”
— Qur’an 3:3
This raises an important question: If God is truthful and consistent, should later revelation confirm earlier revelation—or correct it?
If later teaching contradicts what God previously revealed, then either the earlier revelation was false, or the later claim must be examined carefully.
Truth that comes from God cannot quietly reverse itself without undermining confidence in revelation altogether.