The Articles of Faith (Series 3): Faith in the Books.
Bismillahi Rahman Roheem.
All Praise is for Allah. We adore Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We have Faith and Trust in Him. We seek Allah’s refuge against evil tendencies of our Soul and our bad deeds.
He whom Allah guides no one can lead him astray. And he whom Allah lets go astray there is none to guide him. We bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, the One and without any Partner; and we also bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and Messenger. Allah had sent him with Truth, to give good tidings and to warn before the Doomsday. Whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be successful and well guided.
And whosoever disobeys either of them has gone astray. Such a person harms none save himself; he does no harm to Allah. The best Word is the Book of Allah. And the best Guidance is that given by Muhammad (SAW). Good things are the firm (original) ones, and Bad things are those introduced later on. And everything introduced later (in religion) is innovation. And every innovation is Hell fire.
Gradually we are now at the third series of the six Articles of Faith which Muhammad (SAW) has commanded us to believe. Believe in the Books of Allah which He Has sent down to mankind through His prophets.
Allah had revealed His Books to His Prophets before Muhammad (SAW) and these Books were sent down in the same way as He sent down the Quran to Muhammad (SAW). We have been informed of the names of these books: Books (suhuf) of Ibrahim (A.S), the Taurah of Musa (A.S), Zabur (Psalms) of Dawud (A.S), and the Injil (Gospel) of Issah {Jesus} (A.S). We have not been informed of the names of Books which were given to other Prophets. Therefore with regard to other existing religious books, we are not in a position to say with certainty whether they were originally books or not?
Allah says: “Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad {SAW}], as We revealed to Nuh and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yakub, the Descendants, Issah, Ayub, Yunus, Harun, and Sulaimon, and to Dawud We gave the book [of Psalms]” Q4:163.
And we tacitly believe that whatever books were sent down by Allah are all True and worthy to believe. Of the Books we have been told, the Books of Ibrahim (A.S), are extinct and are not traceable in existing world literature. Dawud’s (A.S) Zabur, the Taurah of Musa (A.S) and Injil of Issah (A.S) exist with Jews and the Christian, but the Quran informs us that people have changed and added to these Books and Allah’s word have been mixed up with texts of their own making. This corruption and pollution of the books has been so large and so evident that even the Jews and Christians themselves admit that they do not possess their original texts, and have only their translations which have been altered over many centuries and are still being changed.
Allah says: “Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, "We hear and disobey" and "Hear but be not heard" and "Ra‘inā," twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said [instead], “We hear and obey" and "Wait for us [to understand]," it would have been better for them and more suitable. But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few”.Q4:46.
On studying these Books we find many passages and accounts which evidently cannot be from Allah. Allah’s words and those of man are mixed together in these Books, and we have no means of knowing which portions are from Allah and which part from man.
We have been commanded to believe in previously revealed Books as Muslims only in the sense of admitting that, before the Quran, Allah had also sent down Books through previous prophets, that they were all from one and the same Creator, the same God Who sent down the Final testament Al-Quran and that the sending of the Quran as Divine Book is not new and not a strange event, but only confirms, restates and completes those divine instructions which people had mutilated or lost in antiquity.
“ O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down [to Muhammad], confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them toward their backs or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers. And ever is the decree of Allah accomplished”. Q4:47.
There are pertinent differences between the Quran and the previous and the reason why Quran is the last Testament to be follow to guide the way of life as we can read from the above verse, Quran is to confirms and consolidate the previous books.
These Differences are:
1. The original texts of most former Divine Books were lost altogether, and only their translations exist today while the Quran on the other hand exists exactly as it was revealed to Muhammad (SAW) not a word, not a syllable of it has been changed.
Even the Prophet was warned not to changed the words:
“Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad {SAW}], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate”.Q4:105.
2. In the previous books man mixed his words with Allah’s, Allah Says: “Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in superstition and false objects of worship and say about the disbelievers, "These are better guided than the believers as to the way"?Q4:51.
But in the Quran we find only the words of Allah and in their pristine purity. This is admitted widely even by opponents of Islam.
Allah Says: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian”.Q15:9.
3. Some of the presents Books with the Jews and Christians can not be said on the basis of authentic historical evidences that those Books are really belongs to the attributed Prophets. In the case of some of them it is not even known in what age and to which Prophet they were revealed to. As for the Quran, the evidence that is was revealed to Muhammad (SAW) is so voluminous, so convincing, so strong and so compelling that even the fiercest critics of Islam cannot cast doubt on it. This evidence is detailed that even the occasion and place of the revelation of many of the verses and injunctions of the Quran can be known with certainty.
4. On account of man’s interpolations, many things have been inserted in those books which are against reality, revolting to reason and an affront to every instinct of justice. There are things which are cruel and unjust, which vitiate man’s beliefs and actions. While the Quran is free from all these, it contains nothing against reasoning and nothing can be proved wrong. Even the world scientists confirmed to that with their newly inventions and findings to a Books which was revealed for over 1400 years ago. The Book is full of wisdom and Truth with the best philosophy and the choicest of Law for Human civilizations.
However Faith in all books is required by all Muslims and the faith in the previous Books should be limited to the confirmation that they were from Allah, were true and were sent down then to fulfill in their time, the purpose which Allah Has sent the Quran. On the other the belief in the Quran should be of the nature that it is the last Book revealed to the seal and last prophet. It is purely and absolutely Allah’s words, that it is perfectly true, that every word of it is preserved, that everything mentioned in it are right, that it is the bounded duty of everyman to carry out his life in accordance with the command of it and whatever against must be rejected.
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian”.Q15:9.
Let us be Muslim and a model for others to follow and Insha Allah we will continue next with belief in the Prophets the fourth articles of Faith.
I ask for Allah forgiveness upon you and me, May He gives us the strength to be firm on the path of Islam, if you find any mistake in this discussion indeed it’s from me and whatever therein that benefit you is definitely Allah’s guidance. May Allah continue to Guide and Guard us aright. Amin
Oh Allah! We implore your extended mercy that will forgive our sins and erase our misdeeds and errors. Oh Allah Forgive all our sins hidden and open, big and small.
Oh Allah forgives all our dead love ones, our parents living and dead. Oh Allah preserve our teachers those that are dead and those that are living make them a great guide for us to Aljannah and not a distractor. Amin
Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!
(OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me!)
“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded". (6:90)
May Allah bless us to serve him in all aspects of our lives.
Wa Salaam Alaikum Waramotullahi Wabarakatuhu
All Praise is for Allah. We adore Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We have Faith and Trust in Him. We seek Allah’s refuge against evil tendencies of our Soul and our bad deeds.
He whom Allah guides no one can lead him astray. And he whom Allah lets go astray there is none to guide him. We bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, the One and without any Partner; and we also bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and Messenger. Allah had sent him with Truth, to give good tidings and to warn before the Doomsday. Whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be successful and well guided.
And whosoever disobeys either of them has gone astray. Such a person harms none save himself; he does no harm to Allah. The best Word is the Book of Allah. And the best Guidance is that given by Muhammad (SAW). Good things are the firm (original) ones, and Bad things are those introduced later on. And everything introduced later (in religion) is innovation. And every innovation is Hell fire.
Gradually we are now at the third series of the six Articles of Faith which Muhammad (SAW) has commanded us to believe. Believe in the Books of Allah which He Has sent down to mankind through His prophets.
Allah had revealed His Books to His Prophets before Muhammad (SAW) and these Books were sent down in the same way as He sent down the Quran to Muhammad (SAW). We have been informed of the names of these books: Books (suhuf) of Ibrahim (A.S), the Taurah of Musa (A.S), Zabur (Psalms) of Dawud (A.S), and the Injil (Gospel) of Issah {Jesus} (A.S). We have not been informed of the names of Books which were given to other Prophets. Therefore with regard to other existing religious books, we are not in a position to say with certainty whether they were originally books or not?
Allah says: “Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad {SAW}], as We revealed to Nuh and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yakub, the Descendants, Issah, Ayub, Yunus, Harun, and Sulaimon, and to Dawud We gave the book [of Psalms]” Q4:163.
And we tacitly believe that whatever books were sent down by Allah are all True and worthy to believe. Of the Books we have been told, the Books of Ibrahim (A.S), are extinct and are not traceable in existing world literature. Dawud’s (A.S) Zabur, the Taurah of Musa (A.S) and Injil of Issah (A.S) exist with Jews and the Christian, but the Quran informs us that people have changed and added to these Books and Allah’s word have been mixed up with texts of their own making. This corruption and pollution of the books has been so large and so evident that even the Jews and Christians themselves admit that they do not possess their original texts, and have only their translations which have been altered over many centuries and are still being changed.
Allah says: “Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, "We hear and disobey" and "Hear but be not heard" and "Ra‘inā," twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said [instead], “We hear and obey" and "Wait for us [to understand]," it would have been better for them and more suitable. But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few”.Q4:46.
On studying these Books we find many passages and accounts which evidently cannot be from Allah. Allah’s words and those of man are mixed together in these Books, and we have no means of knowing which portions are from Allah and which part from man.
We have been commanded to believe in previously revealed Books as Muslims only in the sense of admitting that, before the Quran, Allah had also sent down Books through previous prophets, that they were all from one and the same Creator, the same God Who sent down the Final testament Al-Quran and that the sending of the Quran as Divine Book is not new and not a strange event, but only confirms, restates and completes those divine instructions which people had mutilated or lost in antiquity.
“ O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down [to Muhammad], confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them toward their backs or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers. And ever is the decree of Allah accomplished”. Q4:47.
There are pertinent differences between the Quran and the previous and the reason why Quran is the last Testament to be follow to guide the way of life as we can read from the above verse, Quran is to confirms and consolidate the previous books.
These Differences are:
1. The original texts of most former Divine Books were lost altogether, and only their translations exist today while the Quran on the other hand exists exactly as it was revealed to Muhammad (SAW) not a word, not a syllable of it has been changed.
Even the Prophet was warned not to changed the words:
“Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad {SAW}], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate”.Q4:105.
2. In the previous books man mixed his words with Allah’s, Allah Says: “Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in superstition and false objects of worship and say about the disbelievers, "These are better guided than the believers as to the way"?Q4:51.
But in the Quran we find only the words of Allah and in their pristine purity. This is admitted widely even by opponents of Islam.
Allah Says: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian”.Q15:9.
3. Some of the presents Books with the Jews and Christians can not be said on the basis of authentic historical evidences that those Books are really belongs to the attributed Prophets. In the case of some of them it is not even known in what age and to which Prophet they were revealed to. As for the Quran, the evidence that is was revealed to Muhammad (SAW) is so voluminous, so convincing, so strong and so compelling that even the fiercest critics of Islam cannot cast doubt on it. This evidence is detailed that even the occasion and place of the revelation of many of the verses and injunctions of the Quran can be known with certainty.
4. On account of man’s interpolations, many things have been inserted in those books which are against reality, revolting to reason and an affront to every instinct of justice. There are things which are cruel and unjust, which vitiate man’s beliefs and actions. While the Quran is free from all these, it contains nothing against reasoning and nothing can be proved wrong. Even the world scientists confirmed to that with their newly inventions and findings to a Books which was revealed for over 1400 years ago. The Book is full of wisdom and Truth with the best philosophy and the choicest of Law for Human civilizations.
However Faith in all books is required by all Muslims and the faith in the previous Books should be limited to the confirmation that they were from Allah, were true and were sent down then to fulfill in their time, the purpose which Allah Has sent the Quran. On the other the belief in the Quran should be of the nature that it is the last Book revealed to the seal and last prophet. It is purely and absolutely Allah’s words, that it is perfectly true, that every word of it is preserved, that everything mentioned in it are right, that it is the bounded duty of everyman to carry out his life in accordance with the command of it and whatever against must be rejected.
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian”.Q15:9.
Let us be Muslim and a model for others to follow and Insha Allah we will continue next with belief in the Prophets the fourth articles of Faith.
I ask for Allah forgiveness upon you and me, May He gives us the strength to be firm on the path of Islam, if you find any mistake in this discussion indeed it’s from me and whatever therein that benefit you is definitely Allah’s guidance. May Allah continue to Guide and Guard us aright. Amin
Oh Allah! We implore your extended mercy that will forgive our sins and erase our misdeeds and errors. Oh Allah Forgive all our sins hidden and open, big and small.
Oh Allah forgives all our dead love ones, our parents living and dead. Oh Allah preserve our teachers those that are dead and those that are living make them a great guide for us to Aljannah and not a distractor. Amin
Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!
(OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me!)
“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded". (6:90)
May Allah bless us to serve him in all aspects of our lives.
Wa Salaam Alaikum Waramotullahi Wabarakatuhu
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