Islamic holy books

Muslims recognize a variety of religious scriptures as having divine significance. These texts are believed to have been authored by God, known as Allah, through various prophets and messengers. These messengers delivered messages long before the Quran was revealed. Belief in the validity of these earlier Abrahamic scriptures is one of the six articles of faith in Islam. This means that recognizing previous revelations is a core part of the belief system. However, most Muslims view these earlier texts through the concept of tahrif.

One important method used by scholars is called tafsir. This is a methodology of interpreting the Quran by using the Bible. This approach uses canonical Arabic versions of the Bible to help explain the Quran. Scholars use the Tawrat and the Injil to add exegetical depth to their readings. By doing this, they aim to illuminate the meanings within the Quranic text. Many famous commentators have used this method to weave biblical and Quranic texts together. These thinkers include Abu al-Hakam Abd al-Salam bin al-Isbili, Ibrahim bin Umar bin Hasan al-Biqa'i, and Hamid al-Din al-Kirmani. The Brethren of Purity also practiced this kind of integrated study.

The Quran is the most central religious text in Islam. Muslims believe it was revealed by Allah to the prophet Muhammad. The text is organized into specific parts to make it readable. It is divided into chapters called surahs. Each surah is further divided into individual verses called ayahs. The Quran is considered the finest work in classical Arabic literature. It is also viewed as the most important miracle of Muhammad. This miracle serves as a proof of his prophethood to the world.

The revelation of the Quran was a gradual process. It occurred over a period of approximately 23 years. This process began in late 609, when Muhammad was 39 years old. The revelations continued until 632, which was the year of his death. Muslims believe the angel Jibril, or Gabriel, delivered these words to Muhammad. This series of divine messages is seen as a culmination. It began with messages revealed to Adam and ended with Muhammad. Therefore, the Quran is viewed as the final revelation to mankind.

The Quran specifically names several earlier scriptures. The Tawrat is the Arabic name for the Torah. It was received by prophets among the Israelites. In Islamic tradition, this includes the Pentateuch and other books of the Hebrew Bible. It can also include Talmudic and Midrashim writings. Another named book is the Zabur, which is the Book of Psalms. This was received by the prophet Dawud, known as King David. Many scholars interpret the Zabur as holy songs of praise rather than a book of law.

Other important scriptures mentioned in the Quran include the Injil. The Injil is the Gospel that was revealed to Isa, known as Jesus. Most scholars believe this refers to an original Gospel given to Jesus as the word of Allah. This is distinct from the New Testament found in the Bible. The Quran also mentions the Scrolls of Abraham, or suhuf. These are believed to be one of the earliest bodies of scripture. While called scrolls, some translators refer to them as books. The Quran also mentions the Scrolls of Moses.

There are different scholarly views regarding the Scrolls of Moses. The Jordanian scholar Ghazi bin Muhammad suggests they are identical to the Torah of Moses. However, other thinkers have different ideas. Some suggest they might refer to the Book of the Wars of the Lord. This is a lost text mentioned in the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Regardless of the specific identity, these are categorized as Books of Earlier Revelation. They represent the historical chain of guidance sent to humanity. These various texts show how different religious traditions connect through shared history.