Part 45

(2) To believe in those Books whose names we know: from them the Qur'aan which was sent down to Muhammad (3H) the Tawraat which was sent down to Moosaa (Moses), the Injeel which was sent down to ' Eesaa (Jesus), and the Zaboor which was given to Daawood (David), as for those for which we do not know by name then we have collective and general belief in all of them. (3) To affirm whatever reports are established as being contained in them, such as whatever is reported in the Qur'aan, and those reports which have not been changed or distorted from the previous Books. (4) To act upon whatever rulings they contain that have not been abrogated, and to be pleased with that, and to fully submit to it - whether we understand the wisdom behind it or not. All of the previous Books are abrogated by the sublime Qur'aan. Allaah, the Most High, says, "And we have sent down the Qur'aan to you, O Muhammad (HJ£), and it is the truth, as confirmation of the Books sent down before it and as a trustworthy witness testifying to the truth contained therein and exposing the falsehood interpolated by men." [surah al-Maa'idah (5):48] The meaning of this Aayah is that the Qur'aan is a judge upon them, so it is not therefore permissible to act upon any ruling contained in the previous Books, except for that which is proven to be correctly from them and is affirmed and approved by the Qur'aan. Eemaan in the revealed Books produces great fruits, from them: (i) The knowledge that Allaah, the Most High, takes care of His servants and sent down to each people a Book for their guidance, (ii) The knowledge of Allaah, the Most High's great wisdom in prescribing for each people those prescribed laws suitable for their condition. As Allaah, the Most High, says, "And for each people we laid down a prescribed law and a detailed way to be followed." [surah al-Maa'idah (5):48] (iii) Giving thanks to Allaah for having blessed us with that. His Messengers; [129] ________________________________________________________ The messengers (ar-Rusut, plural of Rasool) meaning one who is sent to convey a message and what is meant here is: those of mankind who had Revelation and religious law sent to them and were ordered to convey it to the people. The first of the messengers was Nooh (Noah) and the last of them was Muhammad. Allaah, the Most High, says, "We sent Revelation to you O Muhammad, just as we sent Revelation to Nooh and the Prophets after him." [surah an-Nisaa'(4): 163] It is reported from Anas ibn Maalik, radiyallaahu' anhu, in the hadith about the Intercession, that the Prophet mentioned that the people will come to Aadam to ask him to intercede on their behalf, but he will excuse himself and say to them, "Go to Nooh, for he was the first of the messengers whom Allaah sent..." [Collected by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 6/3/no.3]. Also Allaah, the Most High, said about Muhammad, “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last of the prophets." [surah al-Ahzaab (33):40] Nor was there any nation left without a messenger sent by Allaah, the Most High with a special prescribed law for his people, or a prophet sent to revive prescribed laws given previously. Allaah, the Most High, says, "We sent a messenger to every nation, ordering that they should worship Allaah alone and that they should avoid everything worshipped besides Allaah.” [surah an-Nahl (16):36] "There was not a previous nation except that Allaah sent a warner to them." [surah Faatir (35):24] "We sent down the Tawraat containing guidance and light, and the prophets who submitted themselves to Allaah judged the Jews thereby." [surah alMaa'idah(5):44] The messengers were human and created beings, they had no share at all of Lordship nor any right to a share of worship or divinity. Allaah, the Most High, says about His Prophet Muhammad, and he was the best of all Messengers and had the highest standing amongst them with Allaah, “Say, O Muhammad, it is not within my power to bring benefit to myself nor to keep away harm - except as Allaah wills; and if I knew what the future holds I could amass a great deal of wealth and harm would not befall me. But I am just a messenger from Allaah sent by Him to warn those who disobey Him of His punishment, and to give glad tidings of His reward for those who truly believe in Him and are obedient to Him." [Soorahal-A’raaf (7):188] "Say, O Muhammad (5^0, it is not in my power to bring about harm for you, nor guidance, rather it is for Allaah. Say, O Muhammad (3H), none from Allaah's creation could save or protect me if I were to disobey Him, nor could I find any refuge except with Him." [surah al-Jinn (72):2l22] So they experience whatever the rest of mankind experience with regard to illness, death, the need for food and drink, and so on.