1.0 What are the revealed books?

Belief in the Holy Books is the third pillar of faith [Imān]. It is essential for a Muslim to believe in them and faith is not complete without this belief.

Allah [God]ﷻ  jalla jalāluhu:Great is His Majesty] created us with a natural disposition [fitra] to believe in Him ﷻ and to be able to know Him ﷻ through His ﷻ creation.  However, there are realities that are unseen, which cannot be understood or found out by life experience and observation of the natural world alone.  So, Allah ﷻ sent Messengers and Books to give us this knowledge.

 We must believe that the Books were revealed to the Messengers from Allah ﷻ in order to convey His ﷻ message to mankind through Archangel Gabriel [Jibrīl] عليه السلام ʿalayhi salām: Peace be upon him]. 

[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after the Messengers.  And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” Qurʾān: Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:165

All the Holy Books convey the same message, which is to call people to pure monotheism [Tawhīd], namely belief in the Oneness of Allahﷻ.

“And We sent not before you any Messenger except that We revealed to him that, ‘There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.’”  Qurʾān: The Prophets [Al-Anbiyāʾ] 21:25

‘And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken a son.” Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honoured servants.’  Qurʾān: The Prophets [Al-Anbiyāʾ] 21:26

 In addition, they contain Allah’s ﷻ commands, His ﷻ prohibitions, His ﷻ promises and His ﷻ warnings.

“And We made them leaders, guiding [men] by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of alms; and they were worshippers of Us.”  Qurʾān: The Prophets [Al-Anbiyāʾ] 21:73

The Holy Books were revealed to specific nations with different rules and languages. And finally, the noble Qurʾān, the last revealed Book, was sent for all of humanity until the Day of Judgement.

“Blessed is He Who hath revealed unto His slave the Criterion (of right and wrong), that he may be a warner to the people.  Qurʾān: The Differentiator [Surah Al – Furqān] 25:1

The Qurʾān rectifies the changes people made in the previous scriptures and clears 

false accusations made against the people of Allah ﷻ. For example, Prophet Solomon [Sulaimān]  عليه ال  was accused of sorcery. Divinity was falsely attributed to [ʿĪsa]  عل السلا  – ie it was said that he was God on earth, and that he was part of a holy trinity and it was incorrectly said that he died on the cross. Mary [Maryam] عليها السلام [ ʿalayhā salām: Peace be upon her] was accused of being unchaste by the Jews of the time.  The Quranic chapter in her name proves her innocence.

And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.”  Qurʾān : Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:15

“They [instead] followed the magic promoted by the devils during the reign of Solomon. Never did Solomon disbelieve; rather the devils disbelieved. They taught magic to the people, along with what had been revealed to the two angels, Hârût and Mârût, in Babylon. The two angels never taught anyone without saying, ‘We are only a test [for you], so do not abandon [your] faith.’ Yet people learned [magic] that caused a rift [even] between husband and wife; although their magic could not harm anyone except by Allah’s Will. They learned what harmed them and did not benefit them – although they already knew that whoever buys into magic would have no share in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed was the price for which they sold their souls, if only they knew!”  Qurʾān: The Cow [Surah Al-Baqarah] 2:102

1.1 The divine scriptures that a Muslim should know of:

1.2 Scriptures of Abraham [Ṣuhuf Ibrāhīm]

The Scriptures of Abraham [Ṣuhuf Ibrāhīm] عليه السلام   were revealed to Prophet Abraham [Ibrāhīm] عليه السلام . These were early Scriptures.

“Successful indeed are those who purify themselves, remember the Name of their Lord, and pray. But you [deniers only] prefer the life of this world, even though the Hereafter is far better and more lasting. This is certainly [mentioned] in the earlier Scriptures – the Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.”  Qurʾān: The Most High [Al-Aʿla] 87: 14-19

“He rebuked [them], ‘Do you then worship – instead of Allah – what can neither benefit nor harm you in any way?’”  Qurʾān: The Prophets [Al-Anbiyāʾ] 21:66

“Shame on you and whatever you worship instead of Allah! Do you not have any sense?”  Qurʾān: The Prophets [Al-Anbiyāʾ] 21:67

 1.3 The Book of Psalms [Zabūr]

The Book of Psalms Zabūr of Prophet David [Dawūd]  عليه السلا   is also a revealed book of Allah ﷻ  as mentioned in the  Qur’ān:

“Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the Prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, ʿĪsaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Psalms].”  Qurʾān: Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:163

1.4  The Torah [Tawrāt]

 The Torah [Tawrāt] was revealed to Prophet Moses [Mūsa] عليه السلام. Its scripture was a source of guidance and laws for the Children of Israel. This revelation is no longer in its original form as it has been altered. This scripture is mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān eighteen times.

“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. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers.”  Qurʾān: The Feast [Al-Māʾidah] 5:44)

And [We sent] Messengers about whom We have related [their stories] to you before and messengers about whom We have not related to you. And Allah spoke to Moses with [direct] speech.  Qurʾān: Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:164

1.5  The Gospel [Injīl]

The Gospel [Injīl] was revealed to Prophet Jesus [ʿĪsa] عليه السلام. Muslims believe that the revelation was from Allah ﷻ to Prophet Jesus [ʿĪsa] عليه السلم as a source of guidance to his nation. But then, unfortunately, its scripture was distorted by men to include the fabrication of the divinity of Prophet Jesus [ʿĪsa] عليه السلام. As muslims, we honour Mary [Maryam] عليها السلام as a virgin and a saint. We also know that, Jesus [ʿĪsa] عليه السلام never said he was the son of Allah ﷻ.  The Gospel [Injīl] is mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān twelve times.

فِيهِ“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.” Qurʾān: The Feast [Surah Al-Ma’idah] 5:46

“O People of the Scripture – do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a Messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So, believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, ‘Three’; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.”  Qurʾān: Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:171

O humanity! Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate,and through both He spread countless men and women. And be mindful of Allah—in Whose Name you appeal to one another—and ˹honour˺ family ties. Surely Allah is ever Watchful over you. Qur’ān: Women [Surah An-Nisa] 4:1

 “And We saved them and whom We willed and destroyed the transgressors.”  Qurʾān: The Prophets [Surah Al-Anbiyāʾ] 21:9

“We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?”  Qurʾān: The Prophets [Surah Al-Anbiyāʾ] 21:10)

The Holy Qur’ān was revealed as a ‘clear light’ to confirm that the previous Books are from Allah ﷻ. It is the origin of every proof and Allah ﷻ has protected it so it remains unaltered.

“O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.”  Qurʾān: Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:174

“So those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him – He will admit them to mercy from Himself and bounty and guide them to Himself on a straight path.”  Qurʾān: Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:175

We believe that the Holy Qurʾān is the speech [kalām] of Allah ﷻ and therefore not created. The Qurʾān came when the Arabic language was at its peak to prove that it cannot be altered even by those who spoke in the most eloquent language at the time.

“Say, ‘If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur’ān, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants.’“  Qurʾān: The Night journey [Surah Al-ʾIsrāʾ] 17:88

Also, the Qurʾān revealed what the previous people tried to alter about the coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in their (Jews’ and the Christians’) Books and they tried to hide the truth from their people. 

“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. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so, race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.”  Qurʾān:The Feast  [Al-Māʾidah]5:48)

“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.”  Qurʾān:The Feast  [Al-Māʾidah]5:15)

The Qurʾān came to us through pure transmission from Allah ﷻ to the Prophet ﷺ through Gabriel [Jibril] عليه السلام. It was then conveyed to the sincere companions of the Prophet ﷺ and then to the rest of mankind.

Allahﷻ will guard and protect the Qurʾān till the end of time. As for the rest of the Books, they were altered and corrupted by evil people, who changed and rewrote them according to their desires and to use them against their enemies.

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’ān and indeed, We will be its guardian.” Qurʾān: Al-Hijr [Surah Al-Hijr] 15:9

“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.”  Qurʾān: The cow [Surah Al-Baqarah] 2:79)

“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.  Qurʾān: The Family of Imran [Al -Imrān] 3:78

1.6 The Holy  Qur’ān (The Final Revelation)

The Qur’ān is the final book and revelation from Allah ﷻ to all of creation.  In itself a miracle, it baffled the Arabic poets of the time with its use of language. Nowadays, as science develops, people are understanding more about the scientific miracles of the Qur’ān.  Allah ﷻ has said He ﷻ will look after it and so we know it is the Book of Allah   that has not been and will not be changed.  It is a source of guidance for the pious believers.

2.0 Stages of Revelation

The Qur’ān was revealed to the Messenger of Allah [Rasūlullāh] ﷺ over a period of 23 years.

2.1 Stage one:

At this stage the complete Qurʾān was sent down to The First Sky [Bayt Al ʾIzza] on The Night of Power [Laylatul Qadr].

“In fact, this is a glorious Qurʾān,” Qurʾān:  The Towering Constellations [Surah Al-Burūj] 85:21

“[recorded] in a Preserved Tablet.”  Qurʾān: The Towering Constellations [Surah Al-Burūj] 85:22

“Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night,¹ for We always warn [against evil.]”  Qurʾān: Smoke [Ad-Dukhān] 44:3

“Indeed, [it is] We [Who] sent this [ Qur’ān] down on the Night of Glory.” Qurʾān: The Night of glory [ Al-Qadr] 97:

This ‘Night of Power’ in the month of Ramaḍān marks the first stage of the    Qurʾān’s revelation.

2.2 Stage two

After the Night of Power, the Qurʾān was revealed in stages to the Prophet ﷺ through the revelation [al waḥiy], brought to him ﷺ by Angel Gabriel [Jibrīl] عليه السلام over a period of 23 years.

“It is a Qur’ān We have revealed in stages so that you may recite it to people at a deliberate pace. And We have sent it down in successive revelations.” Qurʾān: The Night Journey [Al-Isrāʾ] 17:106

“Do they not then reflect on the Qur’ān? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.”  Qurʾān: Women [An-Nisāʾ] 4:82

3.0 The three main elements  of the Qur’ān

3.1 Divine Unity [Tawhīd]

 There are verses that talk about Allah ﷻ Himself. The main examples in the Qur’ān are in the following chapters: Purity [of faith] [Sūrah Al Ikhlas], the beginning of Iron [Al-Hadid], the last two verses of  The Cow [Sūrah Al Baqarah] and the Verse of the Throne [Ayat ul-Kursi].

Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”   Qurʾān: Purity (of Faith) [Surah-Al-Ikhlas] 112:1-4

“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His Angels and His Books and His Messengers, [saying], ‘We make no distinction between any of His Messengers.’ And they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.’” Qurʾān: The Cow [Surah Al-Baqarah] 2:285

“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. ‘Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.’”  Qurʾān: The Cow [Surah Al-Baqarah] 2:286

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, guidance for those who are conscious of Allah.”  Qurʾān: The Cow [Surah Al-Baqarah] 2:2

“Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.”  Qurʾān: The Cow [Surah Al-Baqarah] 2:3

“And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].” Qurʾān: The Cow Surah Al-Baqarah] 2:4

3.2  Stories of the Prophets [Qaṣaṣ]

Within the Qur’ān there are Stories of the Prophets [Qaṣaṣ] – ancient stories of what happened to previous nations and how corrupt they were as they did not take heed of the message that was sent to them.  This was so believers can be aware and not fall into the same erroneous ways.

“We already sent Messengers before you. We have told you the stories of some of them, while others We have not. It was not for any Messenger to bring a sign without Allah’s permission. But when Allah’s decree comes, judgment will be passed with fairness, and the people of falsehood will then be in [total] loss.”  Qurʾān: The Forgiver [Surah Al-Ghāfir] 40:78

“Alif, Lam, Ra.¹ These are the verses of the clear Book.”  Qurʾān: Joseph [Surah Yūsuf] 12:1

“Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ān¹ that you might understand.”  Qurʾān:  Joseph [Surah Yūsuf] 12:2

“We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’ān although you were, before it, among the unaware.” Qurʾān:  Joseph [Surah Yūsuf] 12:3

“There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.”  Qurʾān:  Joseph [Surah Yūsuf] 12:111

3.3 Rulings [Aḥkām]

The Qur’ān also talks about rulings [Aḥkām].   Scholars, who have a profound understanding of the Qurʾān, use these to give legal opinions on various topics such as marriage, business, and morals; they are taken from the Qurʾān and the ways and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ [Sunnah].

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -”   Qurʾān: The Cow [Al-Baqarah] 2:183

“[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So, whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of other days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers good [i.e., excess] – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you if you only knew.”  Qurʾān: The Cow [Al-Baqarah] 2:184

4.0 Some miracles in the  Qurʾān

A miracle is a divine act that resists and transcends universal norms and laws. 

Allah ﷻ grants miracles to His ﷻ Messengers and Apostles in order to convince people of the truth of their message.

There are various scientific miracles that are mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān such as: a description of human embryonic development, the Big Bang theory, descriptions of outer-space, animals in the Qurʾān and more.  It is only through technology and modern scientific knowledge that these verses have been understood. In the past, people could never have known such realities.  As time passes and as science develops, we start to understand the Qur’ān more and more.

4.1 Mountains

One of the miracles of the Qurʾān is the description of the mountains. The Holy Qurʾān mentions how the mountains have deep roots, shaped like pegs, under the surface of the ground. Scientists only found out about this recently in the nineteenth century.

“Have We not made the earth as a bed, and the mountains as pegs?”  Qurʾān: The Announcement [Surah [An-Nabaʾ] 78:6-7

Furthermore, mountains also have an important role which is to stabilise the crust of the earth and control its shaking; this is also mentioned in the Holy Qurʾān.

“He has placed into the earth firm mountains, so it does not shake with you, as well as rivers, and pathways so you may find your way.” Qurʾān: The Bee [Surah An-Naḥl] 16:15

4.2 The Human Embryo

Another miraculous example in the Holy Qur’ān is the description of human embryonic development. This is how a human being is created and developed in the womb.  [6]

“And certainly, did We create man from an extract of clay.” Qurʾān: The Believers [Al-Muʾminūn] 23:12

“Then We placed him as a sperm-drop¹ in a firm lodging [i.e., the womb].”  Qurʾān: The Believers [Al-Muʾminūn] 23:13

“Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of Creators.”  Qurʾān: The Believers [Al-Muʾminūn] 23:14

4.3 Predicted Historical Events

Moreover, there are events that are mentioned in the Qur’ān way before they really happened.

For example, during the early seventh century, two of the greatest empires were the Persian and the Byzantine Empires. In the years 613 to 614 CE, the Persian army defeated the Roman army.  In around 620 AD, Allah ﷻ revealed in the chapter entitled ‘The Byzantines’  [Ar-Rūm] promising the victory of the Romans.

Seven years after the revelation of these verses in the chapter, ‘The Byzantines’ [Ar-Rūm] , the Roman army defeated the Persian army in December 627AD.  Miraculously, this prediction became truth which proves that the Qurʾān is revealed by Allah ﷻ the All-knowing ﷻ, the Lord of the worlds ﷻ.

“The Romans have been defeated in a land nearby. But in the future, they will triumph over their enemies, within a period of a few years. All affairs, both earlier and later, are in the hands of God. And on the day when the Romans triumph, the believers and the followers of Islam will rejoice. God assists to whomsoever He wills and He is Powerful and Compassionate. This is the promise of God, a promise which cannot be violated, but most of the people know not.”   Qurʾān: The Byzantines [Ar-Rūm] 30:1-6

The miracles of the Qurʾān prove that the Holy Qurʾān is the word of Allah ﷻ and not a man-made book.

To believe in the Revealed Books is compulsory upon every Muslim man or woman as it is the third upholding pillar of our faith [Imān]. If one pillar of faith is missing then the belief of the Muslim is invalid.

For more information go to miracles of the Qurʾān on our website. 

(this will be a link, that will take them to) 

Our Source of Religion> Qur’ān

5.0 List of References :

All Arabic Qu’ranic verses- Retrieved 1st February and ……, 2020 from       Http://www. Qur’ānexplorer.com/

1.      Book

2.      The Creed of Imam Bayhaqi (Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn Husayn al-Bayhaqi)

3.      Book

4.      Islam:  Its basic practices and beliefs (AbdalHaqq  Brewley)

5.      https://www.islam-guide.com/ch1-1-b.htm

6.      https://www.miracles-of-quran.com/human_embryo.html

7.https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/1563/victory-of-romans-and-lowest-point-on-earth/

Ahkām [Legal Judgements]

Allah ﷻ  [God, jalla jalāluhu:Great is His Majesty]

Al-Kutubihi [His Books]

Al waḥiy [revelation]

Arkān al-Imān [Pillars of Belief]

Ayah [verse]

Ayat ul Kursi

Bayt Al ʿIzza [The First Sky]

Day of Judgement

Imān [faith]

Injīl [The Gospel]

Jibrīl [Gabriel]  عليه السلام [ʿalayhi salām: Peace be upon him]

Kalām [speech, words]

Laylatul Qadr [The Night of Power]

Maryam[Mary] عليها السلام [ʿalayhā salām: Peace be upon her]

Prophet Dawūd [David] عليه السلام [ʿalayhi salām: Peace be upon him]

Prophet ʿĪsa [Jesus] عليه السلام [ʿalayhi salām: Peace be upon him]

Prophet Sulaiman [Solomon] عليه السلام [ʿalayhi salām: Peace be upon him]

Qaṣaṣ [Stories of the Prophets]

 Qur’ān: the last book, sent for all of humanity until the Day of Judgement.

Ramadan

Rasūlullāh [Messenger of Allah] ﷺ [ sallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam: May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]

Ṣuḥuf Ibrāhīm [Scriptures of Abraham]

Sunnah [the practices of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ]

Tawhīd [Divine Unity/Monotheism]:  belief in the Oneness of Allahﷻ .

Tawrāt [Torah]

Zabūr (Book of Psalms)

Index:

7.0 

FH – This is for the Website for Petra, (do not remove this ). also please add the page numbers to your table of contents

Please note that once all the spaces  and font sizes are fixed in the article as a whole, these page numbers might need to be changed.

As we are turning the English and Arabic round in the article, do we need the glossary to be this way round or should we reverse it too?

For the articles : English translation 1st, then Arabic transliteration.

For the glossary : Arabic transliteration 1st (listed in alphabetical order), then translation, then definition

Maryam H + editors – Arabic transliteration we said would be in Italics, the translation does it need to be in square brackets?

We have not given an example on how to set out the glossary in the writing guidelines. Csn we discuss this in the editors group and Faiza S can you please add what we’ve decided under the glossary section on the guidelines please

add your links in order of videos, audios so that the links can be clicked on and the user can be taken direct for further info