الْإِيمَانُ بِالْكُتُبِ

Allah did not leave us without guidance. To several messengers He gave a book: a word coming from Him, to show people the right path.

The books named in the Qur'an • The scrolls (ṣuḥuf) of Ibraahiim and Muusaa (87:19; 53:36-37). • The Torah (at-Tawraah), given to Muusaa (Moses) (5:44). • The Psalms (az-Zabuur), given to Daawuud (David) (4:163). • The Gospel (al-Injiil), given to 'Iisaa (Jesus) (5:46). • The Qur'an (al-Qur'aan), revealed to Muhammad ﷺ. Allah revealed other books that we do not know: we believe in all of them in general, and in these ones in particular.

What we believe about the earlier books • They come from Allah, as they were originally given. • Over time, part of their text was lost or changed by people (meaning of verses 2:79 and 5:13). • The Qur'an confirms them and watches over them (muhaymin, 5:48): it is the reference. • For what the People of the Book report today, when the Qur'an and the Sunna neither confirm nor contradict it, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not believe them and do not deny them" (Bukhari 4485).

The Qur'an, a book like no other • It is the Word of Allah, brought by Jibril, revealed in Arabic over about twenty-three years. The first verses revealed: "Read, in the name of your Lord who created…" (96:1-5). • It is the last book, for all of humanity and for all time. • Allah has promised to preserve it: "It is We who sent down the Reminder, and it is We who are its guardians" (meaning of verse 15:9). It is learned by heart by millions of people, children included: you are part of that chain when you memorise it. • It is a guide: "This is the Book, there is no doubt in it, a guidance for those who are mindful of Allah" (meaning of verse 2:2).

Surah Al-A'laa (87) speaks of the scrolls of Ibraahiim and Muusaa: listen to the end of the surah in the recitation block.

Challenge: this week, choose a verse you often recite in prayer, read its translation and explanation, then put it into practice once in your day.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Believing in the books means believing that Allah speaks to human beings to guide them, and that He has done so throughout history. The earlier books were entrusted to their peoples, who were to guard them (meaning of verse 5:44); the Qur'an, however, is guarded by Allah Himself (15:9). That is why it is the reference for judging what has reached us of the other books. The Qur'an is not just a book to own or to recite without understanding: it is meant to be read, understood and lived. When 'Aa'isha was asked what the Prophet's ﷺ character was like, she answered: "His character was the Qur'an" (Muslim 746). With Christian or Jewish friends, belief in the books opens real dialogue: we respect Muusaa, 'Iisaa and their original books, and we discuss "in the best way" (meaning of verse 29:46), without mockery. Common misunderstandings: thinking that Muslims reject the Torah and the Gospel (we believe in their divine origin); believing that everything written in these books today is false, or on the contrary that everything has stayed intact; treating the Qur'an like a lucky charm instead of a guide.

Lessons to draw from it • Keep a daily link with the Qur'an: a few verses read, understood, applied. • Respect the mushaf: cleanliness, a worthy place, not on the floor among your things. • Check what you hear about religions before repeating it. • The Qur'an is memorised: each surah you learn links you to those who have passed it on since the Prophet ﷺ.

Key points to remember • Scrolls of Ibraahiim and Muusaa, Torah (Muusaa), Psalms (Daawuud), Gospel ('Iisaa), Qur'an (Muhammad ﷺ). • The earlier books: divine origin, text partly changed; the Qur'an confirms them and watches over them (5:48). • The Qur'an: the last book, preserved by Allah (15:9), a guide (2:2).

The main message Believing in the books means welcoming the word of Allah as a guide: the Qur'an, preserved all the way to us, is meant to be read, understood and lived.