Belief in the Revealed Books: The Third Pillar of Iman
Suggest editObligation
Muslims must believe that Allah sent down books to His prophets as guidance for humanity. This is the third pillar of iman. Disbelieving in any of the revealed scriptures is disbelief in Islam.
Named Scriptures
Suhuf Ibrahim (Scrolls of Abraham): Mentioned in the Quran (87:19) but their content is not preserved. Tawrah (Torah): Revealed to Musa (Moses) as guidance and light for the Children of Israel (Quran 5:44). Zabur (Psalms): Given to Dawud (David) (Quran 4:163). Injil (Gospel): Revealed to Isa (Jesus), containing guidance and light (Quran 5:46). Quran: The final revelation to Muhammad, confirming previous scriptures and serving as a criterion over them (Quran 5:48).
Muslim Position on Previous Scriptures
Muslims believe that the original Torah, Psalms, and Gospel were divinely revealed and true. However, these texts have undergone alteration (tahrif) over time, both in wording and interpretation. The Quran states: 'Among the Jews are those who distort words from their proper usages' (Quran 4:46). Therefore, where previous scriptures agree with the Quran, Muslims accept them; where they contradict it, Muslims hold the Quran as the final authority.
The Quran's Unique Preservation
Unlike previous scriptures, Allah guaranteed the preservation of the Quran: 'Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be its guardian' (Quran 15:9). This promise has been fulfilled through an unbroken chain of memorization and writing from the Prophet's time to the present day.