Holy Books in Islam | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

The Torah & The Scrolls of Ibrahim

The Authority of Other Sacred Texts

• Islam was not perceived as a novel faith in Arabia or globally, but as the culmination and refinement of prior divine revelations from Allah.
• Islam is regarded as the perfected religion because the Qur’an is believed to be the unadulterated word of Allah.

The Qur’an states, ‘Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find described in their Torah and Gospel’ (Qur’an 7:157).

It also mentions, ‘Indeed, We wrote in the Psalms, following the reminder, that My righteous servants shall inherit the earth’ (Qur’an 21:105).

• The Qur’an holds supreme authority as the flawless word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• The Torah, Psalms, and Gospels are acknowledged as holy scriptures in the Qur’an but are thought to include errors and lack the same level of authority.
• Certain scholars argue that these earlier texts are ‘lost’ and no longer exist in any form.

The Torah (Tawrat)

• The Tawrat, the Arabic term for the Torah, refers to the divine revelations bestowed upon Musa (Moses) by Allah on Mount Sinai.
• It is referenced 18 times in the Qur’an. Muslims believe these revelations were given directly to Musa, not through the angel Jibril.
• The Torah was originally composed in Hebrew and delivered to the Jewish people.
• Some Muslims hold that the Tawrat no longer exists in its original language or text.
• It was compiled by Moses’ followers long after his passing.
• During compilation, the text was altered, blending Allah’s words with human additions.
• Despite these alterations, the Qur’an describes the Tawrat as ‘guidance and light,’ divinely revealed by Allah, underscoring its significance.
• The Qur’an notes that it contains the ‘judgment of Allah’ (Qur’an 5:43).
• The Tawrat includes the Ten Commandments, which form the foundation of religious conduct.
• Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) nightly prayers emphasize the importance of earlier scriptures.
• In these prayers, he entrusts his life to Allah, the Creator and Lord of all, the source of the Tawrat, Gospels, and Qur’an, and seeks protection from Shaytan.
• The Qur’an also indicates that the Torah was taught not only by Musa but by all prophets and priests.

The Scrolls of Ibrahim

• Little is known about the Scrolls of Ibrahim, often referred to as Suhuf.
• These are believed to have been written in Hebrew and are mentioned in the Qur’an but are considered lost.
• They are regarded as the earliest scriptures in Islam, revealed to Ibrahim.
• Ibrahim is described as ‘the upright one,’ steadfast in his devotion to Allah.
• The revelations were reportedly received by Ibrahim on the first day of Ramadan and included parable-like narratives about worship, reflections, and sustaining a livelihood.
• Written on parchment, the scrolls deteriorated over time. They are generally understood to be individual revelations rather than a cohesive book.

The Psalms and the Gospels

The Psalms

• The Zabur, or Psalms of Dawud (David), is a collection of prayers to Allah, sometimes described as poetic.
• Dawud was a revered king whose people were devout and righteous.
• Surah 4:163 states, ‘We gave Dawud the Zabur.’
• The Psalms offer lessons of guidance and were recited by Dawud in a melodic form.
• A fragment of an Arabic translation of Psalm 78 from the second century CE was discovered in Damascus, Syria.
• A key theme in the Zabur is the concept of the Masih (Messiah).
• The Masih symbolized hope for a future where many had strayed from Allah’s commands.
• Isa referenced the Masih in the Gospel of Luke, stating, ‘Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Zabur) must be fulfilled.’
• Isa taught in a manner that clarified the scriptures. For Muslims, Isa was the Messiah and is expected to return.

The Gospels

• The Injil (Gospels) was revealed by Allah to Isa (Jesus) but is believed to be lost or corrupted.
• Muslims hold Isa in high regard due to references to him in the Qur’an.
• There are shared beliefs about Isa between Muslims and Christians, alongside notable differences.
• Muslims affirm that Isa was born to a virgin mother.
• They recognize him as the Masih (Messiah).
• Like Christians, Muslims view the Gospels as conveying ‘good news’ about Isa, recorded by his disciples.
• However, Muslims believe Isa was not Allah’s son, as Allah has no partners, but rather a devoted follower of Allah.
• They hold that Isa was neither crucified nor died but ascended to heaven.
• Muslims reject the notion that Isa died to atone for sins, as Allah’s compassion allows for forgiveness without such a sacrifice.
• They believe the current Gospels contain errors, having been written by disciples long after Isa’s time.
• Muslims also believe the Injil foretells the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• While the Psalms and Gospels are significant in Islam, they are not considered the direct word of Allah and are seen as containing errors and distortions.