Belief in the Heavenly Books - I

Belief in the Heavenly Books - I

In the cave of Hiraa’ and away from people, Jibreel (Gabriel) came down to our Prophet Muhammad while he was worshiping Allah The Almighty The One Who Has no partner and said to him: "Recite." Muhammad said, "I cannot recite,". Jibreel pressed him hard and repeated the order ‘Recite.’ ‘I cannot recite’ said he trembling and terrified, and once again he pressed him hard and said: ‘Recite.’ Again he answered while shaking and trembling ‘I cannot recite.’ Jibreel held him for the third time then released him and said: {Recite in the name of your Lord who created.} [Quran 96: 1]
Then this situation comes to an end and Jibreel disappears. Muhammad hurries back home, trembling and sweating profusely. He enters upon his wife Khadeejah and says to her: Cover me, cover me. [Al-Bukhari] She covers him with wool covers, and wipes the sweat from his forehead.
The Will of Allah The Almighty has been fulfilled and the seal prophet on earth was chosen to convey the call of Allah The Almighty to His slaves. The verse mentioned above was the first verse that Allah The Almighty revealed to His Messenger from the Noble Quran which is the book that Allah The Almighty chose to be the ever-lasting miracle and clear argument with the seal of the Prophets. This book is not the only book that Allah The Almighty has sent down; rather, there are other books such as Tawraah (Torah) Injeel (Gospel), Zaboor (Psalms), and Suhuf (Scriptures).
The Muslim individual believes in all books that Allah The Almighty revealed to His Prophets and Messengers in much the same way as he believes in the Noble Quran which Allah The Almighty revealed to Muhammad . Allah The Almighty mentioned some of these books in the Noble Quran and did not mention some others. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it - after the clear proofs came to them - out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed.} [Quran 2: 213]
Amongst the books that Allah The Almighty mentioned in the Noble Quran are:
1. The Scriptures of Ibraaheem (Abraham) and Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt their mention:
They are the Scriptures that Allah The Almighty sent down to Ibraaheem and Musa, may Allah exalt their mention. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {Or has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses. And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations]} [Quran 53: 36-37]
• {Indeed, this is in the former scriptures, The scriptures of Abraham and Moses} [Quran 87: 18-19]
Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I said: O Messenger of Allah! How were the Scriptures of Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention? He said: They were full of examples; O Arrogant tested domineering king! I have not sent you to collect the vain gains of this world, but rather I sent you to respond to the supplication of the wronged person on my behalf for I never reject it even if it is from a disbeliever. Every sane person must – as long as his mind is not absent - take time to invoke his lord, time to bring himself to account, time to contemplate the creation of Allah The Almighty, and time to seek his needs from food and drinking.
Every sane person must not move except for three things: preparing the provision for the appointed time, improving his life and enjoying a lawful pleasure. Also, every sane person must be mindful of his time, must look after his affairs and protect his tongue (from obscene speech). Whoever thinks of his speech as part of his deeds, he will not speak except in what is beneficial for him.
Then I said: O Messenger of Allah! How were the Scriptures of Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention? He said: “They were full of wisdoms: I am amazed at the one who is certain of death and then he feels happy. I am amazed at the one who is certain of Hell and then he laughs. I am amazed at the one who is certain of preordainance and then he exhausts himself. I am amazed at the one who has seen the world and how the fortunes of its people change and then he feels reassured. I am amazed at the one who is certain of Reckoning tomorrow and then he does not work.”
2. Tawraah (Torah)
It is the book that Allah The Almighty revealed to Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, and ordered the prophets who came after him to establish and fulfill its rulings, for Allah The Almighty sent them and did not send any books with them; rather, He made Tawraah their book and religion. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {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.} [Quran 5: 44] Allah The Almighty called he Tawraah “Al-Furqaan” in the Noble Quran.

3. Az-Zaboor (Psalms)
It is one of the heavenly books. Allah The Almighty revealed it to Daawood (David), may Allah exalt his mention. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And to David We gave the book [of Psalms].} [Quran 17: 55] Daawood, may Allah exalt his mention, used to read a great deal in Az-Zaboor which the Messenger of Allah named Quran because of its similarity to the Noble Quran in their miraculousness. He said: “The reciting of the Zaboor (i.e. Psalms) was made easy for Daawood. He used to order that his riding animals be saddled, and would finish reciting the Zaboor before they were saddled. And he would never eat except from the earnings of his manual work.” [Al-Bukhari]
Allah The Almighty sent down in Az-Zaboor precious wisdoms and praises of Him. Allah The Almighty did not reveal in it any rulings of the permissible and prohibited actions for they were enjoined to take their rulings from the Tawraah.

4. Injeel (Gospel)
Allah The Almighty revealed it to ‘Eesa (Jesus), may Allah exalt his mention. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.} [Quran 5: 46]
• {Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel} [Quran 57: 27]
Wisdom behind revealing Books

The Muslim individual believes that these books were revealed by Allah The Almighty. They called to At-Tawheed (monotheism) and to associating nothing with Him. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.} [Quran 16: 36]
The Muslim believes that the wisdom behind revealing books is to guide human beings to the straight path of Allah The Almighty, eliminate disagreement and discord from among them, bear for them the glad tidings of the pleasure of Allah The Almighty if they obeyed Him and warn them against His punishment if the disobeyed Him; and that the heavenly books – other than the Noble Quran – have not remained in their original state in which Allah The Almighty sent them down; rather, they were exposed to alteration and distortion and the words of humans have mingled with the Words of Allah The Almighty in them.
Forms of the distortion of the Divinly Revealed Books
Distortion of the divinely revealed books took different forms. The Noble Quran mentioned some of them such as:
1- Hiding some verses, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much.} [Quran 5: 15]
2- Misinterpretation of the intended meanings of the verses, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {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.} [Quran 3: 78]
3- Displacing verses from their original places. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, "We hear and disobey.} [Quran 4: 46]
4- Adding what is not from the Book to it; Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except in wishful thinking, but they are only assuming. 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.} [Quran 2: 78-79]

Distortion of the Tawraah (Torah)
Belief in the Tawraah that Allah The Almighty revealed to Moosa, may Allah exalt his mention, is one of the main pillars of the religion of Islam. Muslims believe that it included all goodness, called for the worship of Allah Alone and it was a light and guidance. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light.} [Quran 5: 44]
However, the Tawraah that was revealed to Moosa, may Allah exalt his mention, does not exist anymore in its original state. The claimed Tawraah of nowadays was written by many writers and in different times. It was distorted and altered.
Amongst the material proofs of its distortion is that the Tawraah that is in the hands of Christians is different from the one that is in the hands of Jews. The Noble Quran recorded that distortion and rebuked the Jews for their distortion and alteration of the Tawraah. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Do you covet [the hope, O believers], that they would believe for you while a party of them used to hear the words of Allah and then distort the Torah after they had understood it while they were knowing?} [Quran 2: 75]
They had the nerve to distort and alter the Book of Allah The Almighty to hide the truth that it contained and all that can prove the prophethood of Muhammad although they knew him well. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him as they know their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it].} [Quran 2: 146] Though they knew him well, they did not believe in him and were too arrogant to do so. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages.} [Quran 4: 46]
Amongst the evidences that prove the distortion of the current Tawraah are the descriptions mentioned in it which do not befit the Majesty and Perfection of Allah The Almighty such as: And the LORD God said, Behold, the man has become as one of us, to know good and evil.” [Genesis 3: 22] and “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. [Genesis 6: 6].”
Can these be the Words of Allah The Almighty? Can grief and regret be attributed to Allah The Almighty? In fact, such malicious claims entail that Allah The Almighty did not have knowledge of the results of His actions. No, Allah The Almighty is high above any defect and shortcoming. Allah The Almighty has comprehensive knowledge that encompasses everything. Exalted is He and high above what they say by great sublimity.
Another proof of the distortion of the current Tawraah is what is mentioned in it of describing prophets in a way that negates the infallibility that Allah The Almighty granted them. They mentioned that Ibraaheem (Abraham) is a liar, that Haroon (Aaron) called Banu Israa’eel (Children of Israel) to worship the Calf, and that Sulaymaan (Solomon) worshiped idols to please his wife. Can any human being who has a sound mind say such words; let alone being revealed by Allah The Almighty to guide humans with it?

 

Belief in the Heavenly Books - II

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Distortion of the Injeel (Gospel)
The Injeel was also distorted and altered and is not in its original state in which Allah The Almighty revealed it. Christians contintued altering and changing its facts so as to attain their desired worldly gains.
The distortion of the current versions of the Injeel can simply be proved if we know that they are four versions of the Injeel selected from many more versions. Such versions reported the words of Prophet ‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention. Their writers are known and their names are written on them. In the library of one of the princes in Paris, a version of the Injeel – Injeel (Gospel) of Barnabas - was found. It differed greatly from the other four selected versions of the Injeel and agreed with the Noble Quran in many beliefs and principles.
After we have known for certain that those books have been distorted, then what is the meaning that the Noble Quran came to confirm in the divine books that preceded it? This simply means that the Noble Quran came to enhance and support the truth which was mentioned in the books that came before it, mainly worshiping Allah The Almighty Alone, believing in His Messengers, believing in the reward, observing rights and justice, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and adhering to noble moral standards. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "O People of the Scripture, you are [standing] on nothing until you uphold [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord."} [Quran 5: 68]
Consequently, the Quran is the only way with which we can know the sound divine teachings. It is the book whose fundamental principles are preserved, its teachings are not distorted, and the Ummah received it from the angel who brings down the Revelation to the Messengers - Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention - who came down to the Messenger . This preservation was not granted to any book other than the Noble Quran. In fact, the Quran comprises the most sublime principles, methods and systems. It has all that humans need of beliefs, acts of worship, morals, and transactions. It befits all times and places. It is sufficient to create a Muslim individual, a virtuous family and a righteous society. Truthful is the one who speaks with it. Just is the one who passes judgment according to it. Guided to the right path is the one who adheres to its teachings. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.} [Quran 5: 15-16]
The Previous Divinely Revealed Books Were not Universal
The books that Allah The Almighty revealed, other than the Quran, addressed certain people in certain times and they agreed with the Noble Quran in some rulings and laws. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution.} [Quran 5: 45]
Muslims believe in what is mentioned in these books as long as it does not contradict with the Quran. They also believe that the Noble Quran is the main constitution for all people.
Characteristics of the Noble Quran
The Noble Quran has many characteristics that distinguish it from the books that came before it. Amongst such characteristics are:
• It has all the divine instructions that Allah The Almighty revealed in the Tawraah, the Injeel, and all the teachings that Allah The Almighty revealed.
• It supports the truth which was mentioned in these books regarding worshiping Allah The Almighty Alone, believing in His Messengers, believing in reward, observing and establishing rights, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and adhering to noble moral standards. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method.} [Quran 5: 48]

That is to say, Allah The Almighty revealed the Noble Quran which is truthful in all that is mentioned in it and it confirms the preceding Scriptures that were revealed by Allah The Almighty. It is a witness over them. It explains the distortion and alteration that inflicted them. Then Allah The Almighty ordered His Prophet to judge between all people, Muslims and non-Muslims, by what Allah The Almighty has revealed in the Noble Quran and not to follow them in disobeying Allah The Almighty.
• Allah The Almighty prescribed a law for every nation with its rulings and different interactions that befit its nature and inclinations in the best way. The main pillars of creeds are the same in all messages. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein.} [Quran 42: 13]
Then when Islam came, it abrogated all other laws and methods. It established only one creed and method for all people.
• The original versions of the books that were revealed before the Quran were lost. Nothing remained of them except their translations, unlike the Noble Quran which was preserved as a whole with its Soorahs, verses, words, and letters exactly as Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention, recited it to the Messenger of Allah . In the previous books, the words of humans were mixed with the Words of Allah The Almighty. No one can recognize the words of Allah The Almighty from those of humans. As for the Noble Quran, all of its words are from Allah The Almighty and they were never mixed with the Hadeeths of the Messenger or the speeches of the companions or any other person.
• None of those books can in any way be attributed to the Messenger to whom it was revealed. The Tawraah (Torah) was not written by Moosa (Moses). In fact, it was written many centuries after Moosa. The Noble Quran is the only book that was proved to be decisively attributed to the Messenger (even if he did not write it down himself, for he ordered the writers of the revelation to record every verse immediately after it was revealed to him).
• The teachings of the Noble Quran are the Words of Allah The Almighty that can achieve happiness to all humanity. So Allah The Almighty Willed for it to last forever. He preserved and protected it from distortion. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And indeed, it is a mighty Book Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.} [Quran 41: 41-42]
• {Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian} [Quran 15: 9]
The wisdom behind that is to make the Quran the argument of Allah The Almighty over people. The Quran is for all worlds and all people. It is not for a specific people unlike the previous heavenly books. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.} [Quran 34: 28]
• The Quran is the guidance that leads to all that is good. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah} [Quran 2: 1-2] Allah The Almighty wants His word to spread and reach minds and ears everywhere. This will not be attained except if the Quran is easy to memorize and understand. Nothing in the Quran is difficult for people to understand or fulfill. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?} [Quran 54: 17]
• The Quran is also the miracle of the Messenger . In fact, if the whole world gathered in order to produce something like what is mentioned in the Quran, they could not produce the like of it for it is as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And indeed, it is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.} [Quran 41: 41-42]
• The Quran is an invitation to every good matter and forbids every vice. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts.} [Quran 10: 57]
• The Quran is a cure for souls. It purifies them from their diseases. It is a remedy from disbelief, misguidance, hatred and envy. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.} [Quran 17: 82]

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The known existing Books of Allah -I

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, Almighty 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.
Almighty 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, the Most Exalted, sent down a book with every messenger, because He Says (what means): "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" [Quran 57:25]

Books Known:

Among the books that were revealed, we know: 1) The Torah, which was revealed to Prophet Moosa (Moses) . It is the greatest among the Israelites' books: Almighty Allah Says (what means): "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." [Quran 5:44]
2) The Gospel, which Allah revealed to Prophet 'Eesa (Jesus) . It is a confirmation of the Torah and a complement to it, as Almighty Allah Says (what means): "…and We gave him ('Eesaa) the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous." [Quran 5:46]. Allah also Says (what means): "…and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you." [Quran 3:50]
3) The Psalms, which Allah gave to Prophet Dawood (David) . Almighty Allah Says (what means): "… And to Daawood (David) We gave the Psalms]." [Quran 17:55] 4) The Tablets of Ibraheem (Abraham) and Moosa may Allaah exalt their mention.
5) The Glorious Quran, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad the final Prophet. Allah Almighty Says (what means): "…guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." [Quran 2:185].
The Quran Is Protected from Change:
As Allah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means), The Quran: "…confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it." [Quran 5:48] Thus, by means of the Quran, Allah abrogated all the previous revealed books. Allah has also guaranteed its protection from any play or mischievous distortion. He states (what means): "Indeed, We sent down the message and We will guard it." [Quran 15:9], for the Quran 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 Quran, 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 Quran referred to this fact in the verses (which mean): "Some of the Jews pervert words from their meanings…" [Quran 4:46];
Allah also Says (what means): "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." [Quran 2:79];
Allah also Says (what means): "Say (O Muhammad), 'Who revealed the Scripture that Moosaa (Moses) brought as light and guidance to the people? You [Jews] make it into pages, disclosing [some of] it and concealing much." [Quran 6:91];
Allah also Says (what means): "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." [Quran 3:78];
And He also Says (what means): "O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book [i.e. the Quran]. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darkness into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path." [Quran 5:15-16].
The known existing Books of Allah -II
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The known existing Books of Allah- II

The preservation of the Quran: The Quran 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 Quran does not mean that it was falsified, as interpreting the meaning of the Quran 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 Quran 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 (which means): "And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods." [Quran 2:228]. Some interpreters of the Quran 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 Quran or in the sayings of the Prophet and the like.

The verses of the Quran are interpreted by other verses or by a saying of the Prophet . 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, may Allah be pleased with them, 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 Quran was revealed in Arabic. Therefore, there are some requirements when interpreting the Quran and there is even a science called the Usool Al-Tafseer (Principles of interpretation). As regards people who use verses from the Quran, 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 Quran that we judge whether the conduct of people is proper or not.

The Quran 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 Quran 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 'Eesaa, may Allah exalt his mention) 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 Quran Allah informs us that He revealed a number of books, including the pages of Prophet Abraham (Ibraheem ), the Psalms of Prophet David (Dawood ), the Torah of Prophet Moses (Moosa ), the Injeel (Gospel) of Prophet Jesus ('Eesa ), and finally, the Quran of Prophet Muhammad, sallalaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Of these revealed texts only the Quran 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 Quran 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 'Eesa ) 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 Quran is the Speech of Allah and, through the Angel Gabriel, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ; 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 'Eesaa although the NT may contain fragments of the Injeel (sayings and teachings of Prophet 'Eesaa). The Injeel as revealed through Prophet Jesus 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 Quran.

* 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 Quran 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.
The known existing Books of Allah -I