02-11-2005, 02:07 PM
Bismillah,
I don't think this scholar is trying to interpret the Bible, he is telling us about what the QUR'AN says. To be doomed mean to NOT follow the Prophets, peace be upon them, and Allah's, SWT will.
Maybe you see it if you read it again, continue, not leave... As long as following the original teachings of the earlier Prophets, peace be upon them, these earlier generations were not doomed. They shall not fear nor grieve.
<i>''No one stopped following or believing in Moses' writings just because another prophet came after that. That's why the Jews have not only the Torah but the rest of hte prophets' writings as well. Same with Christians.''</i>
That is not what is said here either. Muslims are well aware of that Jews follow the Torah. But you mention the other Prophets writings. Allah, SWT does not tell us of any other 'writings' that has resulted in Books than Torah, Zabur, Injeel and the Qur'an. But as you know Islam acknowledges and honour ALL the Prophets, peace be upon them, that has ever been sent by Allah, SWT. And that they did teach their nations whatever Allah, SWT revealed to them. Since humans have existed a long time, the needs and laws may differ.
But anyway they had some in common - to convey the Message of Allah, SWT in the clearest way, calling people to worship Allah, SWT alone, to give glad tidings and warning, to purify souls, to set aright deviated thoughts and false beliefs (like for ex Noah and Abraham, peace be upon them, condemned people for worship of idols, Hood, pbuh, condemned his people for their arrogance and tyranny, Salih, pbuh, condemned his people for corruption, Lot, pbuh, struggled against sodomy that spread among his people, Shu'aib, pbuh, against the crime of short in measure and weight).
<i>''You don't throw away the Word of God from prophets before.''</i>
Neither Islam teaches this.
<i>''According to Muslim beliefs, there was no "original" (so-called) Torah or Gospel at the time of Muhammad. ''</i>
Yes that is what Allah, SWT teaches. So it is correct that it is the 'Muslim belief'.
<i>''According to Muslims, they were both lost centuries before.''</i>
According to Allah, SWT something has happened to His earlier Revelations. But when and how this happened we do not know. But for a Muslim it is sufficient to know it DID happen. This info is enough.
<i>''So was this verse supposed to help Muslims understand what happened to the so-called "original" Christians and Jews who lived centuries and centuries before??''</i>
As I wrote just before, yes it is important to understand that something has happened, and Allah, SWT does clarify that for us. But I don't think that is the main purpose of the ayah, it is about who the true believers are, and that they will be rewarded by Allah, SWT. That they shall not fear nor grieve.
Confusing? Not to me. Hope it clarifies for you too.
Regards