The Islamic dilemma even goes further than this!
Today, Muslim apologists say that the New Testament writings (The Gospel) of the Christians have been "corrupted".
But they admit that they cannot produce what they would consider an uncorrupted manuscript of the NT writings. Therefore, how could they prove corruption? They can't because they don't have a reference to prove their claim of manuscript corruption.
All they can do is deny over 5000 ancient documented first century manuscripts which are all up to 98% similar to each other. Lets remember that NO ancient writings of antiquity saved today even comes close to that number.
Islam was established roughly 600 years AFTER the writings of the Apostles (what the Islamic writings call "The Gospel").
They acknowledge the scriptures of old when referring to the Christians and Jews as "The people of the book".
The Old Testament scriptures of the Jews testifies to the prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah to establish a NEW covenant.
The NT writers clearly testify that the OT scriptures testifies to the coming of The Messiah as identified as Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus Himself said that He came to "fulfill the scriptures" of old.
The early church spread the Gospel and laid the foundation of Christianity by demonstrating that Jesus IS indeed the fulfillment of the scriptures.
Then the New Testament writings/teachings along with the Old Testament scriptures were clearly accessible to Muhammad as clearly revealed in the Islamic writings.
Although, it is said that Muhammad was illiterate, the Gospel of Christ at that time was being passed down more verbally than read through scriptures because of the persecution of the church.
In the NT writings, The Gospel of Jesus Christ; His death, burial and resurrection where clearly stated and revealed.
The Gospel was made clear by all the writers of the NT and among those writings, The Apostle Paul
warns:
" And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works".
- 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
" But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed".
- Galatians 1:8-9
So we see that it is taught pretty seriously that any gospel other than that which the apostles were teaching if being spread either by MAN OR EVEN AN ANGEL, should be severely rejected and the person spreading that false gospel, CURSED!
It is clear.
And Muhammad having this warning taught and understood EVEN THEN, should have taken heed to those teachings and warnings but instead quite obviously rebelled against the true Word of God.
*** We can know FOR SURE what the early Christians were teaching, proclaiming and dying for in 600 AD and further on just as we can know what they're teaching, proclaiming and dying for TODAY.
Jesus said:
" ... upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it".
- Matthew 16:18
Amen!
