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God and authority in IslamHoly books

Islam means 鈥渟ubmission to God鈥. Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, Allah鈥檚 messenger. Muhammad received the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍, the Islamic holy book, from Allah.

Part of Religious StudiesIslam

Holy books

There are five key books of revelation in Islam. Each of them was given to a different prophet by Allah. Muslims believe that these holy books all conveyed the same message from Allah to the humanity, giving guidance to Muslims on how to live their daily life.

The 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍

The 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 is the holy book that contains the teachings of Allah given to the Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims believe that Allah gave Muhammad these teachings because all earlier religious texts were no longer reliable.

The 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 is relevant for all people at all times in their life. It is believed to have only come from Allah, which makes it the most important book for Muslims.

Nor could this 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 have been devised by anyone other than God. It is a confirmation of what was revealed before it and an explanation of the Scripture. Let there be no doubt about it, it is from the Lord of the Worlds.
蚕耻谤鈥檃苍, 10:37
Image caption,
The Qur'an is the main holy book in Islam

Tawrat

The Tawrat (also known as the Torah in Judaism) was given to the prophet Musa. It is seen as the main Jewish holy book. It contains the which are key rules on how to live life. The Tawrat also contains other good teachings and laws. This book is important to Muslims because the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 says it contains the 鈥渏udgement of Allah鈥: We revealed the Torah [Tawrat] with guidance and light, and the prophets, who had submitted to God, judged according to it for the Jews (蚕耻谤鈥檃苍, Surah 5:44).

Zabur (Psalms)

This book was given to the Prophet Dawud. It is also known as the Psalms of David. It is important within the Christian and the Jewish , as it contains prayers, poems and songs intended to inspire people.

We have sent revelation to you [Muhammad] as We did to Noah and the prophets after him [鈥 to David We gave the book [of Psalms] [鈥 They were messengers bearing good news and warning, so that mankind would have no excuse before God, after receiving the messengers.
蚕耻谤鈥檃苍, Surah 4: 163-165

Injil

This book was given to the Prophet Isa, who is believed to have predicted the coming of Muhammad.

Sahifah (Scrolls)

This book is believed to be the first holy book within Islam. It was given to Ibrahim and Musa. Some parts of the Sahifah are believed to be lost. However, some sections have been preserved and are mentioned in the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍. Has he not been told what was written in the Scriptures of Moses [Musa] and of Abraham [Ibrahim] 鈥 that no soul shall bear the burden of another; that man will only have what he has worked towards 鈥 that the final goal is your Lord 鈥 that it is He who gives death and life (蚕耻谤鈥檃苍, 53: 36-44).