Scriptural Integrity and Tahrif - A Quranic Perspective on Preserving Divine Truth
By V.A. Mohamad Ashrof, New Age Islam
6 December 2024
Abstract
The Quran Acknowledges The Divine Origin Of Earlier Scriptures, Including The Torah, Psalms, And Gospel. At The Same Time, It Critiques Instances Of Tahrif (Textual And Interpretive Distortions) That Have Occurred During Their Transmission. This Dual Stance Presents A Theological Challenge: Affirming The Validity Of These Scriptures While Addressing Their Potential Corruption.
This essay explores Quranic verses, historical contexts, and scholarly interpretations to reconcile this apparent tension. It also examines the phenomenon of Tahrif within Islamic scholarship, where interpretive distortions driven by ideological, sectarian, or vested interests mirror challenges faced by earlier traditions.
The analysis distinguishes between original revelations and their human-altered interpretations, proposing frameworks such as: The Quran's role as a corrective to earlier scriptures; the distinction between textual and interpretive Tahrif and the gradual nature of scriptural distortion.
Despite human fallibility, the Quran maintains the integrity of the core messages of monotheism, ethics, and prophetic continuity within all divine scriptures.
This nuanced perspective safeguards the theological coherence of Islamic teachings while fostering interfaith respect and collaboration. By highlighting the shared spiritual heritage of humanity, the Quran invites an inclusive and vigilant approach to scripture, transcending sectarian and ideological barriers to promote unity and mutual understanding.
Quranic Recognition of Former Scriptures
The Quran affirms the divine origin and guidance of previous scriptures, particularly the Torah, Injeel, and Zaboor. This recognition is evident in various Quranic verses:
• Confirmation of Revelations: Quran 2:136 and 3:84 emphasize the continuity of divine revelation, stating, "We do not differentiate between any of them." This suggests that the Torah, Injeel, and Quran are all part of a unified divine message.
• Upholding the Law: Quran 5:68 addresses the People of the Book, urging them to uphold the teachings of their scriptures. This verse underscores the importance of adhering to the divine guidance contained within these texts.
• Guidance and Light: Quran 5:46 praises the Injeel as a source of guidance and light, emphasizing its role in illuminating the path to righteousness.
By acknowledging the divine origin and significance of previous scriptures, the Quran fosters a sense of spiritual kinship with other Abrahamic faiths. It recognizes the common ground shared by these religions and encourages a respectful dialogue between them.
These verses collectively affirm the divine origin and continued relevance of earlier scriptures, positioning them within the broader framework of monotheistic revelation.
The Concept of Tahrif in the Quran
The Quran also critiques the transmission and interpretation of former scriptures, highlighting instances of human error or deliberate distortion:
1. Textual Alterations: Q. 2:75 and 2:79 address the distortion of the Torah, warning against those who “write the ‘scripture’ with their own hands” and attribute it to God. These actions, like wolves in sheep’s clothing, seek to mislead the faithful for worldly gain.
2. Interpretive Distortions: Q.3:78 critiques those who “alter the Scripture with their tongues,” presenting their interpretations as divine truth. Their distortions are akin to bending a straight arrow to suit their aims, rendering it useless for its intended purpose.
3. Covenantal Breach: Q.5:13 accuses some communities of breaking their covenant, leading to forgetfulness and distortion of divine teachings. Their betrayal is like sowing tares among wheat, corrupting the harvest of divine guidance.
These critiques do not necessarily dismiss the scriptures in their entirety but highlight specific acts of deviation, which may have led to partial corruption of their texts and interpretations.
Tahrif Among Muslim Scholars: Interpretive Distortions for Ulterior Motives
While Tahrif is often associated with previous scriptures, a similar phenomenon can be observed within the Muslim tradition. Islamic scholarship, despite its emphasis on safeguarding the integrity of the Quran, is not immune to interpretive distortions influenced by partisanship, ideological biases, or vested interests:
1. Sectarian Interpretations: Over centuries, ideological divisions within the Muslim community, such as those between Sunni and Shia traditions, have led to differing interpretations of Quranic verses to support theological or political positions. These divisions, like cracks in a foundation, have threatened the unity of understanding.
2. Cultural and Political Biases: Some interpretations have been shaped by prevailing cultural norms or political agendas, often prioritizing the interests of ruling classes, specific social groups, or patriarchal systems. These biases, including the propensity to justify and perpetuate gender-based inequality, are akin to gilding the lily, embellishing divine truth for temporal power.
3. Personal and Institutional Interests: Instances where scholars or institutions have selectively emphasized certain interpretations to align with their personal or organizational goals have also been documented. This cherry-picking of meanings mirrors the actions of those who carve statues from unyielding stone, shaping divine words to their liking.
Such interpretive Tahrif underscores the human fallibility even within the Muslim tradition, emphasizing the need for vigilance and critical engagement with Quranic exegesis (Tafsir).
The Quran's Perspective on Earlier Revelations
The Quran's stance on previous scriptures has been a subject of debate among Islamic scholars, leading to two primary interpretations: the exclusivist and the inclusivist approaches.
Proponents of exclusivism draw attention to Quranic verses such as 2:75, 3:78, 4:46, and 5:13, which highlight the corruption and alteration of previous scriptures. They contend that the Torah, Injeel, and Zabur have undergone significant distortion over time, rendering them unreliable sources of divine guidance. Consequently, they assert that the Quran serves as the sole, infallible, and final revelation, superseding all preceding scriptures.
In contrast, inclusivists focus on verses that affirm the validity and authenticity of previous scriptures, such as Quran 2:136, 3:3-4, 5:46, and 10:37. They recognize the shared Abrahamic heritage and the continuity of divine revelation. While acknowledging the potential for human error and misinterpretation, inclusivists believe that the core message of these scriptures remains intact. They argue that Islam is not a new religion but a continuation of the divine message revealed to earlier prophets (Q. 42:13, 3:84, 5:3, 10:47).
The exclusivist approach can lead to interfaith tensions and a rejection of interfaith dialogue. It may foster a sense of superiority and intolerance towards other faiths. On the other hand, the inclusivist approach promotes interfaith understanding, cooperation, and respect. It encourages dialogue and collaboration with people of other faiths, recognizing the common ground and shared values that unite humanity.
Ultimately, the interpretation of the Quran's verses on previous scriptures is a complex issue with significant implications for interfaith relations and the understanding of Islamic theology. While the exclusivist and inclusivist approaches offer different perspectives, both seek to understand the divine message and its relevance for contemporary times.
Reconciliation of the Apparent Contradiction
Islamic scholars have proposed several frameworks to reconcile the Quran's recognition of former scriptures with its critique of their distortions:
1. Distinction Between Original and Altered Texts
The Quran acknowledges the original revelations of the Torah, Zabur, and Injeel as divinely inspired. However, it critiques the human interventions that have resulted in textual and interpretive deviations. This distinction preserves the sanctity of the original message while addressing the fallibility of its transmission. The original scriptures are seen as treasure chests, their contents precious but partially obscured by layers of dust.
2. Interpretive vs. Textual Tahrif
Some scholars argue that Tahrif refers primarily to interpretive distortions rather than outright textual corruption. Q.3:78, for instance, critiques those who misrepresent the scripture orally, suggesting that the text itself may remain intact while its meaning is misrepresented. Misinterpretation, like a cracked mirror, reflects a distorted image of divine truth.
3. Gradual Process of Tahrif
Tahrif may have been a gradual process, resulting from the interplay of human error, cultural influences, and historical circumstances. Q.6:91 critiques those who concealed parts of the scripture, indicating a dynamic process of selective transmission rather than a singular event of corruption. This gradual distortion is akin to a river carving new paths over time, altering the landscape of divine understanding.
4. The Quran as a Corrective
The Quran positions itself as a “Criterion” (Furqan) that confirms and clarifies previous revelations (Q.2:185, 3:3). This role underscores the Quran’s function as a compass, guiding humanity back to the true north of divine intent.
The Core Message: Intact Despite Human Fallibility
The Quran affirms the divine origin and enduring significance of previous scriptures, particularly the Torah, Injeel, and Zabur. It recognizes these scriptures as sources of divine guidance and wisdom, emphasizing the continuity of divine revelation throughout history.
Quranic verses such as 2:136 and 3:3-4 highlight the unity of divine message, affirming that the Torah, Injeel, and Quran are all part of a single, coherent revelation. This underscores the interconnectedness of these scriptures and their shared spiritual heritage.
Furthermore, Quran 5:68 emphasizes the importance of adhering to the divine laws revealed in these scriptures. It calls upon the People of the Book to uphold the Torah, Injeel, and the Quran as sources of guidance and righteousness.
The Quran also acknowledges the potential for human error and misinterpretation in the transmission of religious texts. However, it affirms the core message of these scriptures, which remains eternally valid. By recognizing the divine origin and enduring value of previous scriptures, the Quran fosters a spirit of interfaith understanding and respect. It encourages dialogue and cooperation among people of different faiths, emphasizing the common ground that unites humanity.
While Tahrif highlights the fallibility of human intermediaries, the Quran upholds the integrity of the core message of former scriptures. This includes:
1. Monotheism: The unifying belief in one God, central to all divine revelations. Monotheism shines like the sun, a constant amidst the changing seasons of human history.
2. Ethical Principles: Values such as justice, compassion, and accountability, which transcend historical and cultural contexts. These principles are the bedrock on which civilizations are built.
3. Prophetic Continuity: The acknowledgment of a shared prophetic tradition, as emphasized in Quran 10:37 and 21:7. Prophets are like beacons, their light illuminating the path toward salvation.
Arguments of Muhammad Asad and Abdulla Galadari
Muhammad Asad, a great Quranic exegete, has made an attempt to go deep into the issues of Quran and its relations with former revelations. He writes:
This “unity in diversity” is frequently stressed in the Quran (e.g., in the first sentence of 2:148, in 21:92-93, or in 23:52 ff.). Because of the universal applicability and textual incorruptibility of its teachings - as well as of the fact that the Prophet Muhammad is “the seal of all prophets”, i.e., the last of them (see 33:40) - the Quran represents the culminating point of all revelation and offers the final, perfect way to spiritual fulfilment. This uniqueness of the Quranic message does not, however, preclude all adherents of earlier faiths from attaining to God’s grace: for - as the Quran so often points out - those among them who believe uncompromisingly in the One God and the Day of Judgment (i.e., in individual moral responsibility) and live righteously “need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve”. (Asad, Footnote number: 84 of Q.5:48)
Q.2:62 and 5:69 unmistakably state that salvation does not depend on religious affiliation but on the fulfilment of the following three conditions: “belief in God, belief in the Day of Judgment, and righteous action in life” (Asad, p.21).
Moreover, Asad derives from them a clear rejection of any exclusivist interpretation that wants to connect the possibility of salvation to adherence to a particular religious’ tradition. The Q.23:52 alludes to possible equality in the reference to a “single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all” after talking about different apostles. Asad notes that this verse addresses all who “truly believe in God, whatever their historical denomination.” (Asad, p.956-957)
Abdulla Galadari, a renowned scholar from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, and a brilliant Quranic exegetist, argued thus:
The Quran seems to be explicit by self-identifying as being revealed no differently than the Torah and Gospel (e.g., Quran 3:3). It suggests that inspiration comes through the Holy Spirit (or spirit of holiness) (e.g., Quran 16:102) and that the recipient of the message is inspired no differently from previous prophets (e.g., Quran 4:163). Similar to how the Quran frequently states that earlier prophets were given some sort of “wahy”, it also states that the descent of the Quran is similar to the descent of previous scriptures (e.g., Quran 2:4, 2:91). Therefore, it appears that the Quran does not view itself either in its descent (Tanzıl) or revelation and inspiration (Wahy) any differently from previous scriptures. According to the Quran, the Torah of Moses is not in papers. Moreover, the Gospel revealed to Jesus is not a book, but an oral message that was later put into a literary form by the Evangelists. Yet, the divine revelation of the Gospel, according to the Quran, remains a revelation to Jesus alone, and the divine inspiration to his disciples was for them to understand Jesus’s message (e.g., Quran 5:111). As such, the Quran is not asserting itself as a book made of papers, just like it appears to claim that other scriptures should not be viewed as such either. The Quran frequently claims that its revelation is no different than previous scripture (e.g., Quran 3:3), particularly the Torah (Pentateuch), the Gospel, the Psalms, and others. Within the Quranic milieu, the Jews that the Quran mostly addresses were likely Jews who appear to be familiar with some rabbinic interpretations, which, therefore, might have held the doctrine of the Torah being dictated to Moses. However, the Quran claims that it was revealed no differently than the Gospel was revealed to Jesus (e.g., Quran 5:46, 57:27), even though Muhammad would have known from the Christians he engaged with that they considered the written Gospels to have been inspired to Jesus’s Apostles. (Galadari, 2021).
Balancing Reverence and Critique
The Quran's discourse on former scriptures reflects a balance between reverence for their divine origin and critique of human deviations. By distinguishing between the original revelations and subsequent distortions, the Quran invites a deeper understanding of divine guidance as both universal and contextual. This nuanced approach acknowledges the shared spiritual heritage of humanity while also recognizing the complexities and challenges associated with the transmission and interpretation of scripture.
Moreover, the phenomenon of Tahrif within the Muslim tradition itself serves as a humbling reminder that interpretive integrity requires vigilance. Just as the Quran critiques alterations in earlier scriptures, it also challenges Muslims to guard against partisan, ideological, or personal biases in their understanding of the Quran. This self-reflexive critique underscores the importance of approaching scripture with intellectual honesty, critical thinking, and a commitment to seeking knowledge and guidance.
Through historical context, theological reflection, and nuanced interpretation, the Quran demonstrates that despite Tahrif, the essential truths of the Torah, Zabur, Injeel, and even its own message remain intact, reaffirming their place in the shared spiritual heritage of humanity. By acknowledging the enduring value and relevance of these scriptures, the Quran promotes a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of human spiritual experience.
The Quran's balanced approach to former scriptures offers a powerful model for interfaith understanding and cooperation. By recognizing the shared spiritual heritage and essential truths that unite humanity, Muslims and adherents of other faiths can work together to promote greater understanding, respect, and peace. This collaborative approach can help to build bridges of understanding and foster a more harmonious and inclusive global community.
Bibliography
Asad, Muhammad, The Message of the Quran, Bristol: The Book Foundation, 2008
Galadari, Abdulla, Inspiration and Revelation of the Quran and Its Relation to the Bible, Religions, November 21, 2021, Volume 12: 1023
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V.A. Mohamad Ashrof is an independent Indian scholar of Islamic humanism. He writes with a passion for developing Quranic hermeneutics that prioritize human well-being, peace, and progress. His work inspires the creation of a just society, fosters critical thinking, and promotes inclusive discourse and peaceful coexistence.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism