Can Later Revelation Replace Earlier Truth?

Before applying this idea to any specific teaching, it is important to examine the assumption itself more carefully.

Islam teaches that God revealed truth progressively, with the Qur’an presented as the final message.

At the same time, the Qur’an affirms that God previously revealed the Torah and the Gospel.

This raises a foundational question: If God is truthful and consistent, what does it mean for a later message to correct or replace an earlier one?

If the earlier revelation was false, then it could not have come from God.

If it was true, then replacing it requires careful and transparent explanation.

Truth that comes from God cannot quietly reverse itself without raising questions about trust, consistency, and authority.

Before asking what later revelation says about Jesus, it is worth asking whether replacement itself is a reliable way to recognize truth.

If replacement requires evaluation, the next question becomes how God Himself defines the test for recognizing what truly comes from Him.