09-26-2004, 12:22 AM
All the teachings contained in the former Scriptures that were meant
to be of lasting value and importance are included in the Qur'an.
The Qur'an also gives some specific accounts, although selective, of
what the pre-Qur'anic scriptures contained and it is worthwhile to
look briefly at this material:
A reference to the 'sheets' (suhuf) of Ibrahim and Musa:
'But those will prosper who purify themselves, and glorify the name
of their guardian Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer. Nay,
behold, ye prefer the life of this world; but the Hereafter is
better and more enduring'
(87: 14-17). (3)
A reference to the Torah (taurat) of Musa:
'It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and
light ...
We ordained therein for them: life for life, eye for eye, nose for
nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal, but
if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity it is an act of
atonement for himself and if any fail to judge by (the light of)
what God has revealed they are (no better than) wrongdoers' (5: 47-
8).
A reference to the Psalms (zabur) of Dawud:
'And verily We have written in the Psalms, after the Reminder: My
righteous slaves will inherit the earth' (21: 105).
A reference to the Gospel (injil) of 'Isa:
'Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard
against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O
Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship)
seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is
on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their
likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as
sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and
riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may
enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah has
promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works,
forgiveness and immense reward' (48: 29).
The pre-Qur'anic scriptures, besides carrying the same basic message
about Allah, the Master of the worlds, and man, His creation, also
brought specific instructions addressed directly to particular
communities of people at given points of time in history and in
particular circumstances, such as the Jewish or Christian
communities. Revelation before the Qur'an, and hence scriptures
before it, were in many of their details situation-oriented in
nature and therefore confined to their particular frameworks. This
also explains the continuity of revelation. With changing
circumstances and in different situations new guidance from Allah
was required. As long as the revelation and scripture were not
completely universal in nature, revelation would not reach its
finality.