Saturday, October 16, 2010

Islamic holy books

The Islamic holy books are the records which most Muslims believe were dictated by God to various Islamic prophets. They include the Tawrat (Torah), the Zabur (commonly the Psalms), the Injil (the original Gospel of Jesus Christ), and the Qur'an.

The words Tawrat and Injil are mentioned several times in the Qur'an itself. For example, following ayah has these words with kitab, meaning book:

He has revealed to you the Book with truth, verifying that which is before it, and He revealed the Tavrat and the Injeel aforetime, a guidance for the people, and He sent the Furqan. (3:3).

He has sent down upon thee the Book with the truth, confirming what was before it, and He sent down the Torah and the Gospel aforetime, as guidance to the people, and He sent down the Salvation.
Arthur Arberry translation, Sura 3 (Al-i-Imran), ayah 3

Other scriptures and books of prophets

The Qur'an does mention additional Holy Books sent to prophets, but one book with all prophets is mentioned in the Qur'an, For example: Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed;(2:213).

Moreover, in one passage, various Islamic prophets are mentioned with one Book, taught to all of them: And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided; and Noah did We guide aforetime; and of his seed (We guided) David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good. And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elijah. Each one (of them) was of the righteous. And Ishmael andElisha and Jonah and Lot. Each one (of them) did We prefer above (Our) creatures, (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren: We chose them, and we guided them to a straight way. This is the guidance of Allah: He giveth that guidance to whom He pleaseth, of His worshippers. If they were to join other gods with Him, all that they did would be vain for them. These were the men to whom We gave the Book, and authority, and prophethood: if these (their descendants) reject them, Behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new people who reject them not. (6:84-89)

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