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Pillars of Islam: Books of Allah
Allah's greatest favour to mankind is His guidance contained in the books of revelation. The pure, perfect and most
useful knowledge comes only from Allah, the Wisest and the Greatest. (2:146-147, 4:163, 53:1-6)
A number of Divine Books, big and small, were revealed to
the prophets. The big ones are called the Books and the small
ones are known as scrolls (Sahifahs).
The whole number of the Divine Books is one hundred and four.
Out of which one hundred are not given any distinctive name
are known as the 'Suhufu'l Anbiya,' - Books of the
Prophets. A Muslim believes in all the revealed books which
are mentioned in the Quran. These are Tawrat (Torah) of Musa (Moses), Zabur (Psalms) of Dawud (David), Injil (Gospel)
of Isa (Jesus) and the Quran revealed to
Muhammad (pbuh). The Quran also mentions Suhuf-i-Ibrahim (scrolls
of Abraham).
Of the divine books, only the Quran exists in its original form, unchanged and unmixed which was revealed to Muhammad
portion by portion during a period of twenty-three years. The Quran is also known as the Furqan, the distinguisher; the
Quran Sharif, noble Quran; the Quran Majeed, glorious Quran; the Mushaf, the Book. It is said to be the compendium of the
Taurat, Zabur and Injil; so Muslims do not require to study these books.
The Holy Quran is both the Book of Allah and His word. The Quran itself refers to it as the Book and the word It gains over
others in innumerable ways. First, each and every word of the Holy Quran is preserved in its original form. Not even a dot has
been substracted from or added to it. Nor will there be any change in it till the Final Day, while the previous Scriptures have
been tampered with by the people. The language of the Holy Quran is a miracle. The style is so incomparably sublime that it is
beyond human faculty to compose anything like the smallest part of it in beauty. Thirdly, The Holy Quran has brought the final
Divine Code. Hence, a number of its injunctions supersede those in the earlier scriptures. Fourthly, the previous scriptures were
revealed, all at one. But the Holy Quran continued to be revealed for 23 years, portion by portion as and when necessity arose. On
account of its being revealed in portions and according to the needs of the time, it found access to the hearts of the people and
thousands of people accepted its code and commands and embraced Islam. Fifthly, the Holy Quran is preserved in the hearts of hundreds
of thousands of Muslims. This preservation has continued right from the times of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and, if Allah wills, it will
continue as such till the Final Day.
By virtue of its being passed on from heart to heart, the enemies of Islam have failed to get any opportunity to effect alterations in
it or destroy it, nor will they ever be able to do it till the final day, if Allah so wills. And finally, the tenets and laws of the Holy
Quran are so moderate that they suit all times, places and conditions. No person on earth will find themselves hard put to it to act upon
the dictates of the Holy Quran. There is no need for any other code or Divine scripture after the Holy Quran, and the prophethood of Hadrat
Muhammad has been proclaimed for all.
Zabur, Tawrat and Injil are not
available in their original form and language. Even their
original texts do not exist. These books were compiled by
their followers after many years of the death of the Prophets
to whom they were revealed. Their compilers have modified,
changed and distorted Allah's words. They have mixed divine
words with those of human beings.
The Bible which is a combination of the Old
Testament and the New Testament, has been translated into
English from available Greek manuscripts. The Old Testament
includes five books of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers and Deuteronomy), Books of Ezra, Psalms and others.
The New Testament includes four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Gospel of Barnabas which appears to be the most authentic
version of Prophet Isa's life is not included in it.
The Bible, as it is available today, has many incorrect things in it.
- Falsehood attributed to Prophet Ibrahim (Genesis, Ch-12, verses 9-21). Prophet Nuh (Noah), is described as drunk and naked in the book of Genesis (Ch-9 verses 20-22). Incest ascribed to Lut (Lot) in Genesis (Ch. 19 verses 31-37) .
- Falsehood attributed to Ishaq (Isaac) in Genesis (ch. 26 verses 7-11) etc.
Its authenticity and divinity are doubtful. It contains misleading and false stories about Prophets. The message of Allah sent
through them was either lost or distorted through neglect and folly of their followers.
The Injil (Bible) has been compiled after
the Prophet Isa (Jesus) was taken up by Allah. According to
Christians, Isa was crucified and died as a result. The Quran
refutes it and states that Jesus was taken up by Allah (4:157-158).
As against this the Quran restates in clear and unambiguous language the message of Allah that the followers of earlier
prophets have lost. The message of the Quran is valid for all times and conditions.
| Importance of Madrasahs | Pillars of Islam |
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