The Claim that Muslims are not Required to Read the Bible

Many Muslims insist that it is not necessary for them to read the Bible since the Qur'an is the last revealed book thus superseding all previous holy books. However, the Qur'an itself instructs all Muslims to believe in all the holy books that God revealed to the prophets, and not just the Qur'an. The following declarations are clear:

Say ye: "We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) the prophets from their Lord; We make no difference between one and another of them.
Surat-ul Baqara (2):136

The Apostle (prophet) believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in God, His angels, His books, and His apostles.
Surat-ul Baqara (2):285

O ye who believe! Believe in God, and His apostle, and the scripture which He sent to His apostle, and the scripture which He sent to those before (him). Any who denieth God, His angels, His Books, His apostles, and the Day of Judgment hath gone far, far astray.
Surat-un Nisaa (4):136

Notice that "His books" is in the plural, meaning not just the Qur'an but all the holy books. Also notice in the first verse the phrase "we make no difference between one and another of them." It is clear that Muslims are not to regard any holy book superior to others. The principles of God's Word are the same for all people for all time. It is very important to point out to the Muslim that the Bible is not just one holy book that was given to some prophet, but rather it is a collection of many holy books that consists of the Law of Moses (Al-Tawrat), the writings of David (Al-Zabur), the teachings of Jesus (Injil), and the Writings of the Prophets (Suhuf-un Nabiyim). Of course for one to believe in the Holy Books, he must not only read them, but likewise study them to know what he is to believe. Thus the Qur'an declares:

Those to whom We have sent the Book study it as it should be studied; they are the ones that believe therein. Those who reject faith therein, -- the loss is their own.
Surat-ul Baqara (2):121

In Islam, another important matter about the Holy Books is that they are regarded as Signs from Allah for the help of mankind. Thus even a single verse of a Holy Book is considered an "ayat", a sign. Furthermore, these signs are not to be dealt with lightly; they are to be believed upon. Notice the severe warnings to those who reject God's Signs, which includes the Holy Books -- all of them!

Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the fire.
Surat-un Nisaa (4):56

Those who reject faith and deny our Signs will be companions of hell-fire..
Surat-ul Maida (5):10