Islamic holy books

Qur'anic Manuscript - 3 - Hijazi script

Psalms scroll

Open Torah Case with Scroll

Islamic Holy Books are the texts which Muslims believe were authored by God through various prophets throughout humanity's history. All these books promote the message of Islam - that there is only one God and Muhammad is the final prophet of God. Islamic tradition holds that there were many prophets sent by God to various societies throughout history to guide them to the truth of God's oneness and to live according to God's will. Among these messengers, five are of critical importance, with each being given a significant book for guidance.

Revealed Books in Islam

The most well-known Islamic holy books include the Qur'an, Tawrat (Torah), Zabur (Psalms), Injil (Gospel), and the Scrolls of Abraham. Each of these texts has a unique place within Islamic theology and history.

Qur'an

The Qur'an is considered the final and most important holy book in Islam. It is believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of approximately 23 years. The Qur'an is unique among the scriptures in Islam for being the direct word of God unaltered through history. It is divided into chapters called surahs, which are then divided into verses, or ayahs.

Tawrat

The Tawrat, or Torah, was given to Moses (Musa in Islam). It is often equated with the Torah of the Jewish tradition, though Muslims believe the current Torah may have been altered over time. The Tawrat is revered in Islam as true divine guidance, but the exact nature and content of the original revelation to Moses are believed to have been corrupted or lost over time.

Zabur

The Zabur is the book believed to have been given to David (Dawud in Islam). It is often identified with the Psalms in the Hebrew Bible. Like the Tawrat, the Zabur is considered an important text, but Muslims generally hold that the original texts have been altered or are no longer complete.

Injil

The Injil is the book given to Jesus (Isa in Islam). It is often equated with the New Testament Gospels, though Muslims believe the Injil refers to an original revelation sent to Jesus, which has been altered or lost rather than the Gospels as they exist today. The Injil is respected within Islam, but the current canonical Gospels are not considered an accurate representation of the original teachings of Jesus.

Scrolls of Abraham

The Scrolls of Abraham are lesser-known texts within Islamic tradition, believed to have been given to Abraham (Ibrahim). Little is known about the contents of these scrolls, and they are rarely mentioned in Islamic theology.

Beliefs Surrounding the Holy Books

Muslims believe that these books were revealed by God to guide humanity to the right path, the path of submitting to God's will. Each book was given to a specific prophet to address the needs and issues of their time. However, the Qur'an is considered the final and complete revelation, superseding previous scriptures and correcting any alterations or errors that may have entered those texts over time.

Preservation of the Qur'an

Unlike the other holy books, the Qur'an has been meticulously preserved in its original Arabic form, according to Islamic belief. This preservation is considered a miracle and a proof of the Qur'an's divine origin. The methodology of preservation included both memorization and written records, ensuring its transmission through generations without alteration.

Conclusion

Islamic holy books are central to the faith and practices of Muslims around the world. They provide the foundation for Islamic theology, law, and morality. While the Qur'an remains the most important and preserved text, the other books are respected for their roles in the history of divine revelation.