Belief in the Holy Books (Kutub) in Islam

Belief in the Holy Books (Kutub) in Islam 

Belief in the Holy Books (Kutub) is one of the Six Articles of Faith (Iman) in Islam. It refers to the belief that Allah revealed divine scriptures to His prophets to guide humanity. These books contain instructions, commandments, and guidance on how to worship Allah and live a righteous life. Belief in the Holy Books is essential for being a Muslim, as rejecting any of them constitutes disbelief (kufr). 

1.      Meaning of Kutub (Books)

The Arabic word "Kutub" (كتب) is the plural of "Kitab" (كتاب), which means "book" or "scripture." In Islamic theology, Kutub refers to the divine revelations or scriptures that Allah sent down to guide people through His chosen prophets. 

2.      Purpose of the Holy Books

The primary purpose of the Holy Books is to provide: 

1.         Divine Guidance: Teach humanity how to worship Allah and lead a moral life. 

2.         Clarification of Tawhid: Reinforce the belief in the oneness of Allah and warn against shirk (polytheism). 

3.         Moral and Ethical Teachings: Instruct people on the principles of justice, compassion, and good character. 

4.         Law and Legislation: Provide laws (Shari'ah) that govern individual, social, and legal aspects of life. 

5.         Warning and Glad Tidings: Warn people of the consequences of sin and disbelief, while promising rewards for righteousness and belief. 

3.      The Four Main Revealed Books in Islam

Muslims believe that Allah revealed several divine scriptures, but the four most prominent Holy Books mentioned in the Qur'an are: 

1.            The Torah (Tawrat)

·         Revealed to: Prophet Musa (Moses, AS) 

·         Purpose: It served as the primary guidance for the Children of Israel (Bani Israel). 

·         Content: Laws (Shari'ah) and moral guidelines for living a righteous life. 

·         Current Status: Muslims believe that the original Torah was altered and no longer exists in its pure form. 

·         Qur'anic Reference: 

Ø  "Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light." (Qur'an 5:44) 

2.      The Psalms (Zabur)

o   Revealed to: Prophet Dawud (David, AS) 

o   Purpose: It contained supplications, praises, and spiritual wisdom to strengthen faith and devotion to Allah. 

o   Content: Focused on worship, remembrance of Allah, and moral teachings. 

o   Current Status: Like the Torah, the original Zabur is believed to have been lost or altered. 

o   Qur'anic Reference: 

Ø  "And to David We gave the book of Psalms (Zabur)." (Qur'an 4:163) 

3.      The Gospel (Injeel)

o   Revealed to: Prophet Isa (Jesus, AS) 

o   Purpose: It served as guidance and confirmation of the Torah's message, emphasizing faith, love, and worship of Allah. 

o   Content: It included teachings about Tawhid, spirituality, and righteous conduct. 

o   Current Status: Muslims believe that the original Injeel was distorted or altered by people, resulting in the modern-day Gospels (found in the New Testament), which are not identical to the Injeel given to Isa (AS). 

o   Qur'anic Reference: 

Ø  "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." (Qur'an 5:46) 

4.      The Qur'an

·         Revealed to: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 

·         Purpose: It serves as the final and complete guidance for all of humanity, abrogating previous scriptures. 

·         Content: It contains laws (Shari'ah), theology, moral teachings, and the stories of past nations. 

·         Current Status: The Qur'an is unique because it has been preserved in its original form. Allah promised to protect it from alteration or corruption. 

·         Qur'anic Reference: 

Ø  "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an, and indeed, We will be its guardian." (Qur'an 15:9) 

The Qur'an is the final and most comprehensive book of guidance. Unlike previous books, it applies to all of humanity and remains unchanged. 

4.      Belief in Other Scriptures

Besides the Torah, Zabur, Injeel, and Qur'an, Muslims believe that other scriptures were revealed to earlier prophets. Some of these scriptures are: 

Scrolls of Ibrahim (Suhuf Ibrahim) – Revealed to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) 

Scrolls of Musa (Suhuf Musa) – Revealed to Prophet Musa (AS) before the Torah 

While these earlier revelations were significant for their time, they are no longer in use since the Qur'an has abrogated all previous scriptures. 

5.      Key Beliefs About the Holy Books

1.         All Books Came from Allah: Muslims believe that all revealed books originated from the same divine source — Allah. 

2.         All Books Taught Tawhid: Each book reinforced the call to the oneness of Allah and emphasized worshiping Him alone. 

3.         Qur'an as the Final Revelation: The Qur'an confirms, corrects, and completes previous scriptures. 

4.         Preservation of the Qur'an: Unlike previous books, the Qur'an has been preserved in its original form, without alteration. 

5.         Respect for All Books: Muslims respect all the previous scriptures, even if they believe that the original texts have been altered. 

6.      Qur'anic Verses on Belief in the Books

The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of belief in the Holy Books: 

1.         "O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before." (Qur'an 4:136) 

2.         "Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Psalms]." (Qur'an 4:163) 

7.      The Importance of Belief in the Books

·         Belief in the Holy Books is essential for the following reasons: 

·         Foundation of Iman (Faith): Without belief in the books, a person's Iman is incomplete. 

·         Source of Guidance: The Qur'an serves as a guide for all human beings in every aspect of life. 

·         Moral and Ethical Compass: The Qur'an teaches honesty, compassion, justice, and patience. 

·         Evidence of Allah's Mercy: Allah did not leave humanity unguided; He sent books with clear instructions for success in this world and the Hereafter. 

·         Proof of the Finality of Islam: The Qur'an abrogates previous books and serves as the eternal source of divine guidance. 

8.      Consequences of Denying the Books

·         Denying any of the divine books, even one, is a form of disbelief (kufr). For example: 

·         Rejecting the Torah or Injeel – Denying that Allah revealed these books is disbelief. 

·         Rejecting the Qur'an – Anyone who rejects the Qur'an is not a Muslim. 

Ø  "And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray." (Qur'an 4:136) 

Conclusion

Belief in the Holy Books (Kutub) is a fundamental aspect of Islam. These books served as divine guidance for various nations throughout history. While the earlier scriptures were altered, the Qur'an remains preserved, comprehensive, and universally applicable. For Muslims, belief in the Qur'an is central to faith, as it contains the complete guidance needed to live a successful life in this world and the Hereafter.

 

Belief in Prophethood (Nubuwwah) in Islam

Belief in Prophethood (Nubuwwah) in Islam 

Nubuwwah (Prophethood) is one of the core beliefs in Islam and a key aspect of the Six Articles of Faith (Iman). It refers to the belief that Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity to the right path. Without belief in prophethood, a person cannot be considered a Muslim. 

1.      Meaning of Nubuwwah (Prophethood)

The term Nubuwwah (نبوّة) comes from the Arabic root word "naba", meaning "news" or "information." A Nabi (Prophet) is someone who receives divine guidance or news from Allah to convey it to people. 

A Prophet (Nabi) receives guidance for himself and others but may not be given a new set of laws. 

A Messenger (Rasul) is sent with a specific mission and may receive a new divine book or law. 

While all messengers are prophets, not all prophets are messengers. 

2.      Role of Prophets in Islam

Prophets serve as spiritual leaders, role models, and guides for their people. Their role includes: 

1.         Delivering the Message of Allah: Conveying Allah's commandments, teachings, and moral guidance. 

2.         Teaching Monotheism (Tawhid): Calling people to the worship of one God (Allah) and rejecting idolatry, polytheism, and false beliefs. 

3.         Providing Role Models for Humanity: Prophets demonstrate how to live righteously according to divine law. 

4.         Warning Against Sin and Disobedience: They warn people of the consequences of sin and disbelief. 

5.         Giving Glad Tidings of Paradise: They encourage people to follow Allah's guidance for success in the Hereafter. 

3.      Characteristics of Prophets

Prophets possess several essential qualities, which distinguish them from ordinary people: 

Truthfulness (Sidq): Prophets never lie; they are always honest in their words and actions. 

Trustworthiness (Amanah): Prophets are reliable and trustworthy, ensuring they fulfill Allah’s commands. 

Intelligence (Fatanah): Prophets have sharp intellects to guide and communicate effectively with their people. 

Infallibility (Ismah): Prophets are free from major sins, though they may make minor mistakes, which Allah corrects. 

Delivering the Message (Tabligh): Prophets deliver Allah's message fully and do not hide or alter it. 

4.      Major Prophets and Messengers in Islam

Islam acknowledges the prophethood of many individuals, but 25 prophets are explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an. Among them, some of the most well-known prophets are: 

1.         Adam (AS) – The first prophet and the first human being. 

2.         Nuh (Noah, AS) – Warned his people of a great flood. 

3.         Ibrahim (Abraham, AS) – Known as the "Friend of Allah" and a key figure in monotheism. 

4.         Musa (Moses, AS) – Received the Torah and led his people from Egypt. 

5.         Dawud (David, AS) – A prophet and king who received the Psalms (Zabur). 

6.         Isa (Jesus, AS) – Born miraculously and performed many miracles. He received the Injeel (Gospel). 

7.         Muhammad (PBUH) – The final prophet and "Seal of the Prophets." He received the Qur'an as the final revelation. 

These prophets were chosen by Allah to lead humanity back to the path of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) and righteousness. 

5.      The Final Prophet: Muhammad (PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last and final prophet, and his message is universal for all of humanity. 

He received the Qur'an, which serves as a complete and unaltered source of guidance for all people. 

Unlike previous prophets, Muhammad (PBUH) was sent as a "Mercy to all the worlds" (Qur'an 21:107) and not just to a specific nation or tribe. 

Since he is the "Seal of the Prophets," no prophet will come after him. 

6.      Belief in All Prophets

Muslims are required to believe in all prophets mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah. It is a mandatory part of Iman (faith). 

"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." (Qur'an 2:285) 

Rejecting even one prophet is considered disbelief. For instance, if someone accepts Muhammad (PBUH) but denies Jesus (AS) or Moses (AS), they are not considered a Muslim. 

7.      The Importance of Belief in Prophethood

Believing in prophethood has profound implications for a Muslim's life: 

1.         Affirmation of Faith: Recognizing Allah's mercy in sending prophets to guide humanity. 

2.         Moral and Ethical Guidance: Prophets serve as perfect role models for how to live a righteous life. 

3.         Submission to Allah's Will: Accepting the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah as divine guidance. 

4.         Unity of Message: Prophets came with a unified message — worship Allah alone and avoid false gods. 

8.      Qur'anic Evidence for Belief in Prophethood

The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes the role of prophets and the obligation to believe in them: 

1.         Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews." (Qur'an 5:44) 

2.         And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], 'Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false gods).'" (Qur'an 16:36) 

3.         Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets." (Qur'an 33:40) 

9.      Violations of Belief in Prophethood

The following are some acts that contradict belief in prophethood: 

Rejecting a Prophet: Denying the prophethood of any prophet, such as denying the prophethood of Isa (Jesus) or Musa (Moses). 

Claiming New Prophets: Believing that there are prophets after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

Distorting the Teachings of Prophets: Altering or disregarding the message and guidance brought by the prophets. 

Conclusion

Belief in prophethood (Nubuwwah) is a vital part of being a Muslim. It acknowledges that Allah, in His mercy, sent prophets as guides and role models to help humanity worship Allah alone and avoid misguidance. While all prophets preached the message of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is considered the final prophet with a universal message for all of humanity. Believing in all prophets and following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is essential for salvation and success in this life and the Hereafter.

Belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)

Belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)

Tawhid is the most fundamental concept in Islam and serves as the foundation of the entire faith. It signifies the absolute oneness, uniqueness, and singularity of Allah in His essence, attributes, and actions. Without belief in Tawhid, a person cannot be considered a Muslim.

 

1.      Meaning of Tawhid

The Arabic term "Tawhid" (توحيد) comes from the root word "Wahd", which means "one" or "unique." It emphasizes that:

 

·         Allah is one — He has no partners, no equals, and no rivals.

·         Allah is unique — He cannot be compared to anything in creation.

·         Allah is self-sufficient — He is not dependent on anyone or anything.

2.      Categories of Tawhid

To fully understand Tawhid, Islamic scholars have categorized it into three main aspects:

 

1.  Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)

·         Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of everything.

·         He alone gives life and death, controls the universe, and provides for His creation.

·         No being, whether human, angel, or jinn, shares in Allah’s power over creation.

·         Example: Believing that Allah sends down rain, grows crops, and controls the sun and moon is an example of Tawhid al-Rububiyyah.

2.  Tawhid al-Asma' wa Sifat (Oneness of Names and Attributes)

·         Allah's names and attributes are unique and perfect.

·         No one can share Allah's names, such as "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) or "Al-Malik" (The King).

·         Allah's attributes (like knowledge, power, and mercy) are infinite and beyond human comprehension.

·         Muslims must affirm these attributes as described in the Qur'an and Sunnah without altering, negating, or comparing them to creation.

Example: While humans can have "knowledge," Allah's knowledge is complete, perfect, and encompasses all things, past, present, and future.

3.  Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship)

·         Allah alone deserves to be worshipped, and no other being should be worshipped alongside Him.

·         Worship includes prayer (Salah), supplication (Dua), fasting, charity, and every act done for Allah's sake.

·         Associating partners (shirk) in worship is a major sin in Islam.

·         Example: If a person prays or seeks help from idols, saints, or other beings instead of Allah, it violates Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah. True Tawhid requires that prayers, sacrifices, and acts of devotion be directed to Allah alone.

3.      Importance of Tawhid in Islam

Foundation of Faith: Belief in Tawhid is the first step to becoming a Muslim. The declaration of faith (Shahada) — "La ilaha illallah" (There is no god but Allah) — reflects Tawhid.

Purpose of Creation: Allah says in the Qur'an:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Qur'an 51:56)

This highlights that the ultimate purpose of human life is to recognize and worship Allah alone.

 

Protection from Shirk (Polytheism): Shirk, or associating partners with Allah, is the greatest sin in Islam. Tawhid protects a Muslim from falling into this sin.

Spiritual Tranquility: Knowing that Allah is in control of everything provides peace and reliance (Tawakkul) in Allah.

4.      Examples of Violations of Tawhid

Shirk in Lordship: Believing that someone other than Allah controls the rain, health, or life.

Shirk in Names and Attributes: Comparing Allah’s attributes to human characteristics, such as saying "Allah forgets" or "Allah sleeps."

Shirk in Worship: Praying, seeking help, or making offerings to anyone other than Allah, like idols, graves, or saints.

5.      Qur'anic Evidence for Tawhid

The Qur'an frequently emphasizes Tawhid. Some key verses include:

 

"Say, He is Allah, [who is] One." (Qur'an 112:1)

"There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." (Qur'an 21:25)

"To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He gives life and causes death, and He is, over all things, competent." (Qur'an 57:2)

Conclusion

Belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) is the heart of Islam, shaping every aspect of a Muslim's faith and practice. It governs how Muslims view the world, their relationship with Allah, and their purpose in life. Understanding and upholding the oneness of Allah in His Lordship, Names and Attributes, and Worship is essential for achieving success in this life and the Hereafter.

Islam and Islamic Preaching - Overview

General Characteristics of Islam

Islam was destined to become a world religion and to create a civilization which stretched from one end of the globe to the other. Already during the early Muslim caliphates, first the Arabs, then the Persians and later the Turks set about to create classical Islamic civilization. Later, in the 13th century, both Africa and India became great centers of Islamic civilization and soon thereafter Muslim kingdoms were established in the Malay-Indonesian world while Chinese Muslims flourished throughout China.

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM

      From the oasis cities of Makkah and Madinah in the Arabian Desert, the message of Islam went forth with electrifying speed. Within half a century of the Prophet's death, Islam had spread to three continents. Islam is not; as some imagine in the West, a religion of the sword nor did it spread primarily by means of war. It was only within Arabia, where a crude form of idolatry was rampant, that Islam was propagated by warring against those tribes which did not accept the message of God--whereas Christians and Jews were not forced to convert. Outside of Arabia also the vast lands conquered by the Arab armies in a short period became Muslim not by force of the sword but by the appeal of the new religion. It was faith in One God and emphasis upon His Mercy that brought vast numbers of people into the fold of Islam. The new religion did not coerce people to convert. Many continued to remain Jews and Christians and to this day important communities of the followers of these faiths are found in Muslim lands.

Holy Prophet MUHAMMAD (upon him be peace and blessings)

HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S (upon him be peace and blessings) CHARACTER AND HIGH MORALITY PROVE HIS PROPHETHOOD

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon him be peace and blessings) was the humblest at the zenith of his achievements If a man’s world-admired accomplishments or the wealth and fame he has gained do not change him, if he can remain as humble as he was at the beginning of his career, this shows that person’s strength of character, morality and virtue. Despite his unparalleled achievements, which force even his enemies to place him at the top of the greatest men of human history, The Holy Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, was poorer and more humble when he entered Makka victoriously than he was at the beginning of his mission.

Those who saw the Messenger would say: ‘One with such a face cannot lie.’

One’s face reveals one’s inner world and character. Those who saw The Holy Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings could not help but admire his appearance and, if they were unprejudiced, acknowledge his truthfulness. For example, ‘Adbullah ibn Salam, the most renowned Jewish scholar of the time, believed in him at his first sight of him, saying: ‘One with such a face cannot lie.’