Islamic-Life

Belief in Scriptures

Belief in the scriptures or books of Allah (SWT) is another one of the six articles of faith. Muslims are obliged to believe in all the scriptures which were originally revealed by Allah (SWT). We learn from the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning): "...believe in what has been sent down to you (Muhammad) and what has been sent down before you..." [2:4]. Muslims believe Allah (SWT) has sent several scriptures and books down to different Prophets (Peace be upon them) to guide and show us the right path as Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "And we sent never a prophet before you except that we revealed to him, saying, 'there is no God but I, so worship Me'" [21:25]. As we briefly explained in the article, Belief in Allah (God), that our purpose of existence cannot be nothing or meaningless. A Muslim believes the following books have been revealed to Prophets (May the peace and blessings be upon them all):

Tawrah - known as the Torah revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses) (Peace be upon him).

Zabur - also known as the Psalms revealed to Prophet Dawud (David) (peace be upon him).

Injil - known as the Gospel of Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon him).

Qur'an - the last and final revelation, which was revealed to the last and final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Suhuf (scrolls) of Ibrahim (AS) - which are known as the scriptures of Ibrahim (pece be upon him).

Muslims believe that apart from the Qur'an all the other books and scriptures have been altered in some way shape or form so therefore no longer contain the full truth, as it is distorted by humans. However, Muslims believe the Qur'an has remained unchanged and can never be distorted or altered, so the Qur'an contains the complete truth. Allah (SWT) challenges those people who claim the Qur'an is a false book. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say: 'If all mankind and the jinn would come together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce its like even though they exerted all and their strength in aiding one another.'" [17:88]

"Or do they say that he has invented it? Say (to them), 'Bring ten invented surahs like it, and call (for help) on whomever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful." [11:13]

"And if you all are in doubt about what I have revealed to My servant, bring a single surah like it, and call your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful." [2:23]

It has been 1437 years since the Qur'an was revealed but NO ONE has acomplished the ultimate challenge of Allah (SWT). The Qur’an is divided into 114 chapters known as "Surahs". 86 of these Surahs were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Makkah and the remaining 28 Surahs were revealed to the Prophet (SAW) in Madinah.

wallahu a'lam (and Allah knows best)