The Bible does not talk about “Muslims” or “Islam” by name, because Islam began centuries after the last biblical books were written, but it does speak about people traditionally linked with Arabs (like Ishmael’s descendants) and gives clear commands about how to treat people of other nations and beliefs.

No direct mention of Muslims

  • The term “Muslim” and the religion of “Islam” arose in the 7th century with the prophet Muhammad, long after the Bible was completed.
  • Because of this, there is no verse that says “Muslims” explicitly, and no direct biblical statement about Islam as a later historical religion.

Ishmael and Arab peoples

Many Christians historically have connected Muslims with the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar, though this link is more traditional than explicit.

  • In Genesis, God promises Hagar that her son Ishmael will become a “great nation,” and that his descendants will be numerous.
  • Ishmael’s descendants are described as living “eastward” and in the wilderness regions often associated with northern Arabia, which some later interpreters connect with Arab tribes.

These passages talk about real ancient peoples, but they do not say “these will one day be Muslims”; that is a later religious-historical connection made by readers, not a statement of the Bible itself.

How to treat people of other faiths

While the Bible does not name Muslims, it clearly instructs how to relate to people of other nations and beliefs.

  • Jesus commands love of neighbor and even love of enemies: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” which Christians often apply to all people, including followers of other religions.
  • The New Testament urges believers to live peaceably with all and to show gentleness and respect when explaining their faith, which shapes many Christians’ approach to Muslims today.

Christian views of Islam today

Different Christian groups interpret the relationship between the Bible and Islam in different ways.

  • Some see Islam as a later faith that picked up ideas about Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but diverged theologically, so they emphasize evangelism and doctrinal disagreements.
  • Others highlight common ground (belief in one God, respect for Jesus and Mary) and emphasize dialogue, peacemaking, and shared moral concerns while still acknowledging real differences in belief.

Key takeaway

  • The Bible does not specifically say anything “about Muslims” as a named group, but it does speak about peoples associated with the broader Middle Eastern region and, more importantly, gives sweeping commands about loving, respecting, and living peacefully with all people, which many Christians understand as including Muslims.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.