The Revealed Books

The word 'Kitab' means a written matter. Other synonyms of it are book, pamphlet, scripture, etc. A revealed book is one sent down from Allah the Most High. In the Islamic terminology a book sent down by Allah the Most High for the instruction of mankind is called a Revealed Book. So, a revealed book is the combination of the words of Allah. Allah the Most High sent His words to the Messengers through Jibrail (As.). Then the Prophets and Messengers conveyed them to mankind.

CONTENTS OF REVEALED BOOKS

Allah the Most High has presented discussion on many matters. For instance -

• Introduction of Allah the Most High, relating to His entity;
• Description of His attributes;
• Description of His Prophets and Messengers;
• Description of the foregoing nations;
• Description of the tragic end of the rebels and unbelievers;
• f. Description of what are permitted and what are forbidden;
• Catalogue of rules and regulations;
• Discussions on punishment and warnings;
• Description of advice and good tidings;
• Description of the issues relating to belief;
• Description of the issues pertaining to the next life.

RENOWNED REVEALED BOOKS

Allah the Most High has revealed a total of 104 scriptures. Among them 4 (four) are major and massive, and the rest 100 (one hundred) are booklets. The booklets are called Sahifa. The major 4 books were revealed to 4 prominent Messengers. These are -

1. Tawrat - revealed to Hazrat Musa (As.);
2. Zabur- revealed to Hazrat Daud (As.);
3. Injil - revealed to Hazrat Isa (As.);
4. Quran - revealed to Hazrat Muhammad (Sm.);

The rest 100 booklets were revealed to 4 Prophets. They are -

1.  Hazrat Adam (As.). 10 Sahifas were revealed to him;
2. Hazrat Shish (As.). 50 Sahifas were revealed to him;
3. Hazrat Ibrahim (As.). 10 Sahifas were revealed to him;
4. Hazrat Idris (As.). 30 Sahifas were revealed to him.

IMPORTANCE OF BELIEF IN REVEALED BOOKS

It is one of the important matters to believe in the Revealed books. Without belief in the revealed books, the main issue of Iman becomes shaky, because man has come to know about Allah the Most High, the Prophets and the Messengers, the Angels, life after death, etc. from the revealed books. We have come to know about these matters from the Holy Quran. If anyone disbelieves in the revealed books and the issues mentioned in them, he naturally rejects the other issues of Iman. So, it is indispensable to believe in the revealed books. Otherwise, it is not possible to become a perfect believer.

The revealed books are the most reliable sources for all types knowledge and wisdom (science). We can know about the universe, creation of man, the next life, etc. through them. The right direction and guidance for leading human life are available in the revealed books. Belief in the revealed books inspires us to practise these matters in our practical life.

AL-QURAN, THE LAST REVEALED BOOK

Al-Quran is the word of Allah the Most High. Allah the Most High has revealed it to Prophet Muhammad (Sm.), the last and the greatest Prophet through Jibrail (As.) for the guidance of mankind. It is Al-Quran which is the last and the greatest revealed book.

The first 5 Ayats of Sura Alaq were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Sm.) at the age of 40 when he was absorbed in meditation in the cave of Hira. Thus began the revelation of Al-Quran. Then the rest of Al-Quran was revealed in piecemeal during the 23 years of the Prophethood of Rasul (Sm.) as and when necessities arose.

Al-Quran is divided into 30 parts. Each part is termed as Para. The number of Suras is 114 and that of Ruku (section) is 558.

NOMENCLATURE OF AL-QURAN

'Quran' means that what is recited. Al-Quran is the most widely read book in the world. Al-Quran is recited compulsorily in the 5 times prescribed prayers. This great book is called Quran from this angle of view.

The other meaning of Quran is to collect or assemble. The teachings and basic principles of all the previous revealed books have been gathered in it. Hence it is called Quran.

Al-Quran has got a good number of other names. The more prominent among them are-

1. Al-Kitab (الكِتبُ) - the book.

2. Al-Furqan (الفُرْقَانُ) - the denominator of truth and falsehood.

3. Al-Hikma (الحكمة) - the knowledge, wisdom.

4. Al-Burhan (الْبُرْهَانُ) - the manifest proof.

5. Al-Haqq (الحق) - the truth.

6. An-Noor (النور) - the light.

7. Al-huda (الْهُدى ) - the guidance.

8. Al-Zikr (الذكر ) - the command, warning.

9. Al-Shifa (الشفاء) - the cure.

10. Al-Majid (الْمَجِيْدُ) the honoured, majestic.

11. Al-Mauiza (التوْعِظَةُ) - the good or excellent advice.

12. Al-Rahmat (الرحمة) the favour, blessing, mercy, etc.

CHARACTERISTICS AND GREATNESS OF AL-QURAN

Al-Quran is the best and most prestigious book. It is endowed with exceptional features as distinct from other books and even from other revealed scriptures. There is no other book parallel to it.

Al-Quran is a complete and perfect book. This book is the repository of all knowledge and science. The basic principles of all matters are contained in it. Allah the Most High says -

مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَبَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ

Meaning: "We have not left anything unmentioned in it." (Sura: Al-Anam, Ayat :38) So, Al-Quran is a complete book. The proper directions in matters relevant to human life are available in this book.

Al-Quran is the final revealed book. Allah the Most High has declared Islam as a complete code of life. Consequently, no other Prophet or Messenger will arise. Nor will any other book be revealed. It is the teachings of Al- Quran that shall remain valid till the Last Day. Besides, all the gist of the former revealed books is extant in Al-Quran. So, it is the final and the best revealed book.

Al-Quran is a book free from any doubt. No book on earth is absolutely faultless or irrefutable but Al-Quran is faultless and it is above suspicions as well. It does not contain any matter that may arouse suspicions. Allah the Most High says -

ذلِكَ الْكِتُبُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ

Meaning: "This (Al-Quran) is that book in which there is no doubt." (Sura: Al-Baqara, Ayat: 2)

As a universal Book too, the status of Al-Quran is unique. It is not confined to any country, age or race. Rather it is an admonition and guidance for all men of all ages. So, it is a universal book. Al-Quran is the only undistorted book. Not a single harkat (vowel sign) or nuqta (dot/point) of it has been changed from the time of revelation till this day. Allah the Most High is its Custodian (Protector). He says-

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِي كُرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَفِظُونَ 

Meaning: "It is We that have revealed Al-Quran and We are surely its preserver." (Sura: Al-Hijr, Ayat: 9)

In fact, Al-Quran is an undistorted and unaltered book. No addition, correction, revision, extension or contraction has occurred in it till today.

Al-Quran is the greatest book and a prestigious scripture. The best of Arabic literature, history, prophecy, science, mystery of creation, etc. are neatly written in it. As this is the word of Allah, its dignity is also as matchless as His. Allah the Most High says-

بَلْ هُوَ قُرْآنٌ تَجِيدُهُ فِي لَوْحٍ تَحْفُوظٍ :

Meaning: "Indeed it is the holy Quran which has been inscribed on the protected plate." (Sura: Al-Buruj, Ayats: 21-22)

Al-Quran is the word of Allah the greatest. It is conspicuous for its unique features and magnificence. It is sacred and free from change, distortion, addition and subtraction. It is this that is the greatest and final revealed book.

We shall understand the Greatness of the holy Al-Quran. We shall read Al-Quran with devotion and veneration, acquire proper knowledge of its teachings and implement them in our practical life. It is Al-Quran that will be our guide in life.