A Comprehensive Overview: Religious Books in Islam

 Islam, as a monotheistic faith, emphasizes divine revelation as a key source of guidance for believers. Central to this system of guidance are the religious books in islamus scriptures revealed by God (Allah) to various prophets over time. The belief in these scriptures forms one of the essential articles of faith in Islam, alongside belief in God, angels, prophets, the Day of Judgment, and divine predestination. Muslims are required to believe in all of God's books, including those revealed before the final and most complete book, the Qur'an.

This article provides an overview of the four major religious books recognized in Islam, namely the Tawrat (Torah), the Zabur (Psalms), the Injil (Gospel), and the Qur'an.

1. The Tawrat (Torah)

The Tawrat is the Islamic term for the Torah, which was revealed to the Prophet Musa (Moses). It is considered the holy scripture for the Israelites and contains the laws and commandments of God. The Tawrat is mentioned in the Qur'an multiple times, particularly in connection with the guidance it offered to the children of Israel.

Islamic Perspective on the Tawrat

Muslims believe that the original Tawrat was a pure revelation from God, containing true guidance for humanity. However, they also believe that the current version of the Torah available today has been altered over time, either through additions, deletions, or modifications. Nevertheless, the essence of monotheism and the message of moral conduct remain part of its teachings.

Key aspects of the Tawrat in Islam:

• It was revealed to Moses as a law for his people.
• It emphasizes justice, morality, and the worship of one God.
• It is viewed as a precursor to the Qur'an, paving the way for its final message.

2. The Zabur (Psalms)

The Zabur is the scripture revealed to Prophet Dawud (David). Although it is less discussed than the Tawrat or Injil in Islamic texts, the Zabur holds an important place as one of the holy books sent to earlier prophets. Islamic tradition often identifies the Zabur with the Book of Psalms, a collection of hymns and praises attributed to King David in Judeo-Christian traditions.

Islamic Understanding of the Zabur

Muslims believe that the Zabur was a book of divine songs, prayers, and praises, meant to glorify Allah and remind the people of God's majesty and mercy. It was not a legal text like the Tawrat, but rather a spiritual scripture focused on devotion and worship.

Key points about the Zabur:

• Revealed to David, a prophet and king, whose role was to call people to monotheism.
• It is filled with praises of Allah, highlighting the beauty of faith and creation.
• Similar to the Tawrat, Muslims believe the original text has been altered over time.

3. The Injil (Gospel)

The Injil refers to the revelation given to Prophet Isa (Jesus). In Islamic belief, the Injil is not synonymous with the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament, but rather the original, uncorrupted message that Jesus preached to his followers. The Qur'an frequently mentions the Injil as a book that confirmed the Tawrat and called people to worship the One God.

Islamic View of the Injil

Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet of God and that the Injil contained guidance for the Children of Israel, confirming the message of the Tawrat while introducing additional spiritual insights. However, much like the Tawrat, Muslims assert that the Injil has been altered and no longer exists in its pure form today. The Injil, as referenced in the Qur'an, emphasized love, compassion, and mercy, alongside a strong emphasis on monotheism.

Key characteristics of the Injil in Islam:

• It was a message of guidance revealed to Jesus, reinforcing monotheism.
• It highlighted moral conduct, kindness, and spiritual purity.
• Islam rejects the notion of Jesus as divine, seeing him as a human prophet delivering God’s message.

4. The Qur'an

The Qur'an is the final and most complete revelation from God, revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. It is the most sacred scripture in Islam and is believed to be the literal word of God, preserved without any alterations since its revelation. The Qur'an serves as the ultimate guide for Muslims in matters of faith, law, morality, and daily life.

The Qur'an's Role and Importance

The Qur'an is unique among the divine scriptures as it was revealed not to a specific nation or people, but to all of humanity. Muslims believe that it supersedes previous scriptures, serving as the final and complete revelation of God's will. The Qur'an addresses various aspects of human existence, from theology to law, from morality to social justice, providing timeless guidance for all people.

Key aspects of the Qur'an:

• It is considered the unaltered word of God, directly revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel).
• It covers all aspects of life, providing guidance on how to live in accordance with God's will.
• It is divided into 114 chapters (Surahs) and is written in classical Arabic, a language revered for its beauty and precision.
• Reciting, memorizing, and understanding the Qur'an are acts of great importance in Islam, with millions of Muslims around the world committing the entire Qur'an to memory.

The Qur'an not only confirms the messages of the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil but also corrects what Muslims believe are the distortions and misunderstandings that crept into these earlier scriptures. Furthermore, it introduces new laws and principles for the guidance of humanity, including instructions for individual and communal worship, ethics, social justice, and governance.

The Connection Between the Books

Islam emphasizes that the religious books revealed by God are interconnected. The Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, and Qur'an are seen as part of a continuum of divine revelation. The earlier books were given to specific peoples and nations, while the Qur'an was sent to all of humanity as the final and universal message. The previous scriptures, although respected, are considered incomplete or corrupted, which is why Muslims are required to follow the Qur'an as the ultimate source of guidance.

Muslims also believe in the concept of tahrif, which refers to the distortion or alteration of previous scriptures. They hold that while the original messages of the Tawrat and Injil were divine, they were modified over time due to human intervention. As a result, the Qur'an is regarded as the only unaltered and final revelation, perfectly preserved by God.

Conclusion

In Islam, belief in the divine scriptures is a core tenet of faith. The Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, and Qur'an represent a progressive chain of revelation, with each book building on the messages of the previous ones. While Muslims honor all these books and recognize their significance in guiding humanity, the Qur'an is considered the most important and comprehensive guide for living a life in accordance with God's will.

The role of these scriptures goes beyond religious doctrine; they provide moral guidance, ethical principles, and a foundation for social justice. For Muslims, the Qur'an, in particular, is not just a holy book but a complete way of life, offering insights and solutions to every aspect of human existence. Thus, the religious books in islam serve as beacons of divine wisdom, guiding believers toward righteousness, peace, and salvation.