SCRIPTURE

Muslims believed that the total number of books given is 104 (10 to Adam, 50 to Seth, 30 to Idris/Enoch, 10 to Abraham), the first 100 being lost. The remaing four are to Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad. Muslims believed that all previous scripture is superseded by the Qur'an, and it is a guardian over them (al-Ma'idah 5:48), although is not supported from the Qur'an or the hadiths. The items following show that the former scriptures are still to be adhered to.

Some Muslims point to some biblical passages, e.g. Joshua 10:13, which refers to a "Book of Jasher" which is not in the Bible, and conclude that the Bible must therefore not to be trusted. However, if this argument holds, then we also have to conclude that the Qur'an also is not authentic. In al-A`la 87:18-19, we are told of the books (suhufi) of Abraham and Moses, which all Muslims acknowledge to be missing and lost.

- belief in earlier Scriptures, al-Baqarah 2:1-5

- believe parts and disbelieve other parts, al-Baqarah 2:85

- cannot change God's words, al-An`am 6:34,115; Yunus 10:65, see TAHRIF, see also protected by God

- changed words from context or after hearing it, al-Baqarah 2:75; an-Nisa' 4:46; al-Ma'idah 5:13,41

  In the footnote to an-Nisa' 4:46, Pickthall explains "Listen to us!":

  > Devices of some of the Jews of Al-Madinah to annoy the Muslims by distorting words of Scripture. Raina (meaning "listen to us"), by which the Muslims used to call the Prophet's notice, they turn by slight mispronunciation into a Hebrew word of insult. (cf. S. II, v104. footnote).) (Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran).

  see also RAINA

- conceal scriptures, al-Baqarah 2:146,159,174; al-Ma'idah 5:15

- corruption of Bible, see TAHRIF

- earlier Scriptures attested to by Qur'an, al-An`am 6:93; Yunus 10:38; al-Fatir 35:31 "that which precedeth it" = scriptures before revelation of Qur'an (Al-Baidhawi and Jalaluddin)

- fate for rejecting, an-Nisa' 4:136; al-Mu'min 40:72

- given to previous generations, al-Baqarah 2:213

- igorant (ummiun) people of Scripture, does not know but foolish stories, al-Baqarah 2:78

- Jesus authenticate OT, Âl 'Imran 3:48; al-Ma'idah 5:48

- Jews who twist their tongues, an-Nisa' 4:46-47 Raina(twist)= dislocating/ perverting (Jalalludin)

- Jews who pervert after understanding it, al-Baqarah 2:75

- make no distinction between them, al-Baqarah 2:136

- partial acceptance are infidels, al-Baqarah 2:89; an-Nisa' 4:150-152

- protected by God, al-Ma'idah 5:48; al-Kahf 18:28

- sell own scriptures for gain, al-Baqarah 2:79,174

- told to believe in all scriptures, an-Nisa' 4:136

- unlettered Jews who write Scriptures with hand, al-Baqarah 2:79

- al-Baqarah 2:2,44,53,79,85,87,101,121,144,174,176,213,285; Âl 'Imran 3:7,20,23,48,78,81,100; an-Nisa' 4:46,51,105; al-An`am 6:155; ash-Shu`ara' 26:1; al-`Ankabut 29:47; Ha Mim Sajdah 41:41; al-Ahqaf 46:12,30; al-Fath 48:29; at-Tur 52:2

Recommended Reading:

- What the Qur'an Says About the Bible

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