In
today's fast-paced world, it is a must for manufacturers of almost
every product - from state-of-the-art microwave ovens to space age
automobiles, from sophisticated sewing machines to powerful fighter
jets, and from highly functional refrigerators to intelligent mainline
computer systems - to provide a manual for the users' benefit. In light
of that, it is impossible to conceive that the Maker of mankind did not
equip him with any form of guidance for his life on earth.
It
is unlikely that early man, with his limited knowledge about anything,
groped about the planet and endeavored to understand his alien
surroundings and circumstances. We know for a fact that a child is
always full of questions, and never stops asking to satisfy his/her
curiosity.
Without
an adult's aid, he/she is helpless. The same applies in the case of the
first man, Adam. His Creator, Allah, became his Teacher. After him,
Divine inspiration continued to be revealed upon selected human beings
with the command to guide their brethren towards enlightenment and
truth.
These
revelations were sent to many different nations in many different
tongues, and formulated according to the needs of the times and the
understanding of the people.
Allah
revealed those Divine Books to His messengers as proof against mankind
and guidance for the righteous workers. They purified and taught them
wisdom by these books.
Allah sent down a book with every messenger, because He says: "Indeed We sent down Our messengers with the clear signs, and We sent down with them the book and the balance, so that people may uphold justice." [57:25]
Books Known:
Among the books that were revealed, we know:
1) The Torah, which was revealed to Prophet Moosa. It is the greatest among the Israelites' books: Allah says: "Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted (to Allah) judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto." [5:44]
2) The Gospel, which Allah revealed to Prophet 'Iesa. It is a confirmation of the Torah and a complement to it, as Allah says: "…and
We gave him ('Iesaa) the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and
confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and
instruction for the righteous." [5:46]. Allah also says: "…and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you." [3:50]
3) The Psalms, which Allah gave to Prophet Dawood. Allah says: "… And to Dawood We gave the Psalms." [17:55]
4) The Tablets of Ibraheem and Moosa.
5) The Quraan, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saws) the final Prophet. Allah says: "…guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." [2:185]
The Quraan Is Protected from Change:
As Allah says, The Quraan: "…confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it." [5:48] Thus, by means of the Quraan, Allah abrogated all the previous revealed books. Allah has also guaranteed its protection from any play or mischievous distortion. He states: "Indeed, We sent down the message and We will guard it." [15:9], for the Quraan is a proof against mankind till the Day of Judgment.
Previous Scriptures Changed:
The previous scriptures were meant for a limited period. Their use ended with the revelation of the Quraan, which abrogated them and exposed their distortions and changes done by the people. That is why they were not protected from corruption. They underwent distortion, addition, and omission. The Quraan referred to this fact in the verses: "Some of the Jews pervert words from their meanings…" [4:46];
As Allah says, The Quraan: "…confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it." [5:48] Thus, by means of the Quraan, Allah abrogated all the previous revealed books. Allah has also guaranteed its protection from any play or mischievous distortion. He states: "Indeed, We sent down the message and We will guard it." [15:9], for the Quraan is a proof against mankind till the Day of Judgment.
Previous Scriptures Changed:
The previous scriptures were meant for a limited period. Their use ended with the revelation of the Quraan, which abrogated them and exposed their distortions and changes done by the people. That is why they were not protected from corruption. They underwent distortion, addition, and omission. The Quraan referred to this fact in the verses: "Some of the Jews pervert words from their meanings…" [4:46];
Allah also says: "So
woe to those who write the “scripture” with their own hands, then say,
“This is from Allah,” in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to
them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they
earn." [2:79];
Allah also says: "Say
(O Muhammad), 'Who revealed the Scripture that Moosaa brought as light
and guidance to the people? You (Jews) make it into pages, disclosing
(some of) it and concealing much." [6:91];
Allah also says: "And
indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their
tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from
the Scripture. And they say, “This is from Allah,” but it is not from
Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they know." [3:78];
The preservation of the Quraan:
The
Quraan is the Book of Allah and the last revelation which abrogated the
previous divine books. There is no doubt that this book is preserved
from any alteration and falsification. It was transmitted to the
Muslims, generation by generation, by absolute evidences. Since its
revelation it was kept intact in its written form and memorized (by
millions of Muslims), young and old people, males and females, Arabs and
non-Arabs. No one could add a letter to it or remove a letter from it.
The differences that might happen in the interpretation of the Quraan
does not mean that it was falsified, as interpreting the meaning of the
Quraan is not considered as adding to it or taking out anything from it.
The difference in the interpretation of the verses is of two kinds:
Similar interpretations: (Different interpretations but similar in meaning), like when there is a difference in the term. Example: The true path is interpreted to mean the Quraan or Islam. Both interpretations are correct. This kind of interpretation is not a difference in reality.
Second interpretation: Contradiction in the interpretation, in a way that the first meaning contradicts the second meaning. So this is the real difference. For instance the interpretation of menses in the verse of Allah: "And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods." [2:228]. Some interpreters of the Quraan interpreted it to mean the beginning of menses and some interpreted it to mean the beginning of being pure from the menses. This is because the word in the Arabic language accepts both meanings. So when this kind of difference of interpretation occurs, then in order to favor one meaning over the other, one resorts to another text in the Quraan or in the sayings of the Prophet (saws) and the like.
The verses of the Quraan are interpreted by other verses or by a saying of the Prophet (saws). If there is no other verse to interpret the first verse and no Prophetic narration, then one has to resort to the sayings of the companions as they witnessed the revelation. If there is nothing of the above at all, then one interprets the verse according to the meaning of the words in the Arabic language as the Quraan was revealed in Arabic. Therefore, there are some requirements when interpreting the Quraan and there is even a science called the Usool Al-Tafseer. As regards people who use verses from the Quraan, if they can find any (that could apply to them), to justify their conduct, then we cannot rule by this conduct that the deficiency is in the Quran. Rather it is by the Quraan that we judge whether the conduct of people is proper or not.
The Quraan remained preserved in its original form through the centuries despite the weakness that the Muslim nation underwent, the vanishing of the Muslim caliphate, and the dispute and difference amongst the Muslims. Despite all this, the Quraan remained preserved and protected by Allah, which is one of its miracles.
The Bible: Many people refer to the Injeel (the book that was revealed to Prophet 'Isaa) by the term "The Bible". But one can surely say, and without any doubt, that the Injeel has been altered and changed by human beings throughout history and the original copy no longer exists.
On the other hand, some people use the term "The Bible" to refer the book used by the Christians, and to those people we say the following:
In the Quraan Allah informs us that He revealed a number of books, including the pages of Prophet Ibraheem, the Psalms of Prophet Dawood, the Torah of Prophet Moosa, the Injeel (Gospel) of Prophet 'Isaa, and finally, the Quraan of Prophet Muhammad (saws). Of these revealed texts only the Quraan remains intact in its original form. All of the others (as complete books) have been lost, their remains have survived only as fragments or tampered with in some way so as to make their authenticity doubtful.
Nowhere in the Quraan is the Bible even mentioned, to say nothing of its being among the revealed texts of Allah, or as Christian claim "The Word of God." Further, we know from respected scholars that although some fragments of the Psalms, the Torah, and the Injeel (the teachings of Prophet 'Isaa) may be found in the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, the Bible cannot rightfully be called "The Word of God." Why is this so?
Similar interpretations: (Different interpretations but similar in meaning), like when there is a difference in the term. Example: The true path is interpreted to mean the Quraan or Islam. Both interpretations are correct. This kind of interpretation is not a difference in reality.
Second interpretation: Contradiction in the interpretation, in a way that the first meaning contradicts the second meaning. So this is the real difference. For instance the interpretation of menses in the verse of Allah: "And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods." [2:228]. Some interpreters of the Quraan interpreted it to mean the beginning of menses and some interpreted it to mean the beginning of being pure from the menses. This is because the word in the Arabic language accepts both meanings. So when this kind of difference of interpretation occurs, then in order to favor one meaning over the other, one resorts to another text in the Quraan or in the sayings of the Prophet (saws) and the like.
The verses of the Quraan are interpreted by other verses or by a saying of the Prophet (saws). If there is no other verse to interpret the first verse and no Prophetic narration, then one has to resort to the sayings of the companions as they witnessed the revelation. If there is nothing of the above at all, then one interprets the verse according to the meaning of the words in the Arabic language as the Quraan was revealed in Arabic. Therefore, there are some requirements when interpreting the Quraan and there is even a science called the Usool Al-Tafseer. As regards people who use verses from the Quraan, if they can find any (that could apply to them), to justify their conduct, then we cannot rule by this conduct that the deficiency is in the Quran. Rather it is by the Quraan that we judge whether the conduct of people is proper or not.
The Quraan remained preserved in its original form through the centuries despite the weakness that the Muslim nation underwent, the vanishing of the Muslim caliphate, and the dispute and difference amongst the Muslims. Despite all this, the Quraan remained preserved and protected by Allah, which is one of its miracles.
The Bible: Many people refer to the Injeel (the book that was revealed to Prophet 'Isaa) by the term "The Bible". But one can surely say, and without any doubt, that the Injeel has been altered and changed by human beings throughout history and the original copy no longer exists.
On the other hand, some people use the term "The Bible" to refer the book used by the Christians, and to those people we say the following:
In the Quraan Allah informs us that He revealed a number of books, including the pages of Prophet Ibraheem, the Psalms of Prophet Dawood, the Torah of Prophet Moosa, the Injeel (Gospel) of Prophet 'Isaa, and finally, the Quraan of Prophet Muhammad (saws). Of these revealed texts only the Quraan remains intact in its original form. All of the others (as complete books) have been lost, their remains have survived only as fragments or tampered with in some way so as to make their authenticity doubtful.
Nowhere in the Quraan is the Bible even mentioned, to say nothing of its being among the revealed texts of Allah, or as Christian claim "The Word of God." Further, we know from respected scholars that although some fragments of the Psalms, the Torah, and the Injeel (the teachings of Prophet 'Isaa) may be found in the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, the Bible cannot rightfully be called "The Word of God." Why is this so?
As one publisher (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois) stated:
'The Bible may look like one book, but it is actually sixty-six books
in one. Thirty-nine books make up what we call the Old Testament, and
twenty-seven make up the New Testament. It is possible that more than
forty writers were used by God to write all sixty-six books.' (Quoted from the "Holy Bible" – New Living Translation, Gift and Award Edition, l997, p. vii)
So if the Bible is neither narrated by God nor written by Him, and, as such, is not ‘the word of God,' then what is it? By any objective criteria, the Bible is a book containing a compilation of stories, legends, folk tales, folk lore, myths, sagas, narratives, poetry, fragments of scriptures (fragments from the Psalms, the Torah, and the Injeel as already mentioned), letters (esp. in New Testament), visions, dreams, accounts of events from doubtful sources (not eye witnesses), editors’ or scribes’ notes, as well as human errors.
For those who believe in it, it is a book that has historical, cultural, moral and ethical values, and a source of spiritual teaching and guidance. It is a book held in high esteem, primarily by Christians who see it as a divine book and the source of their religious beliefs. But, in the final analysis it is only a book with many limitations and imperfections which disqualify it from being called "The Word of God." Whoever makes such a claim then the burden of proof rests with him. On the contrary, the Glorious Quraan is the Speech of Allah and, through the Angel Gabriel, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saws); later compiled into a book more than 14 centuries ago it remains in its original form until today.
Common misunderstandings about the Bible: Some common misunderstandings about the Bible include the following:
* The Bible is one book, the Old Testament. The Bible contains sixty-six books (or more depending upon the denomination one belongs to).
* The Old Testament (OT) is the Torah followed by the Jews. The OT contains some fragments of the Torah which was lost and the Psalms, but the Talmud is the book followed by the Jews and is totally unrelated to the Bible.
* The New Testament (NT) is the Gospel of Prophet Jesus, or the Injeel. It is neither. It is made up of twenty-seven books, none of which was narrated or written by Prophet 'Isaa although the NT may contain fragments of the Injeel (sayings and teachings of Prophet 'Isaa). The Injeel as revealed through Prophet 'Isaa has been lost. The fragments which may be cited in the NT may not be authentic or in their proper context. So it is erroneous to equate the NT with the Injeel mentioned in the Quraan.
* The Bible is a holy book, narrated, dictated by God and is infallible. While this is a claim, this misconception has already been addressed. Since the Bible is 'only' a book, there is no need to call it a forgery, a corrupted text, etc. The Quraan is the only authentic "Word of God," His Speech, and Allah has promised to protect it from distortion of any kind until the Day of Judgment and He has kept His promise. Not one letter or syllable has been changed over the past l4 centuries.
So if the Bible is neither narrated by God nor written by Him, and, as such, is not ‘the word of God,' then what is it? By any objective criteria, the Bible is a book containing a compilation of stories, legends, folk tales, folk lore, myths, sagas, narratives, poetry, fragments of scriptures (fragments from the Psalms, the Torah, and the Injeel as already mentioned), letters (esp. in New Testament), visions, dreams, accounts of events from doubtful sources (not eye witnesses), editors’ or scribes’ notes, as well as human errors.
For those who believe in it, it is a book that has historical, cultural, moral and ethical values, and a source of spiritual teaching and guidance. It is a book held in high esteem, primarily by Christians who see it as a divine book and the source of their religious beliefs. But, in the final analysis it is only a book with many limitations and imperfections which disqualify it from being called "The Word of God." Whoever makes such a claim then the burden of proof rests with him. On the contrary, the Glorious Quraan is the Speech of Allah and, through the Angel Gabriel, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saws); later compiled into a book more than 14 centuries ago it remains in its original form until today.
Common misunderstandings about the Bible: Some common misunderstandings about the Bible include the following:
* The Bible is one book, the Old Testament. The Bible contains sixty-six books (or more depending upon the denomination one belongs to).
* The Old Testament (OT) is the Torah followed by the Jews. The OT contains some fragments of the Torah which was lost and the Psalms, but the Talmud is the book followed by the Jews and is totally unrelated to the Bible.
* The New Testament (NT) is the Gospel of Prophet Jesus, or the Injeel. It is neither. It is made up of twenty-seven books, none of which was narrated or written by Prophet 'Isaa although the NT may contain fragments of the Injeel (sayings and teachings of Prophet 'Isaa). The Injeel as revealed through Prophet 'Isaa has been lost. The fragments which may be cited in the NT may not be authentic or in their proper context. So it is erroneous to equate the NT with the Injeel mentioned in the Quraan.
* The Bible is a holy book, narrated, dictated by God and is infallible. While this is a claim, this misconception has already been addressed. Since the Bible is 'only' a book, there is no need to call it a forgery, a corrupted text, etc. The Quraan is the only authentic "Word of God," His Speech, and Allah has promised to protect it from distortion of any kind until the Day of Judgment and He has kept His promise. Not one letter or syllable has been changed over the past l4 centuries.
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