An Introduction to the Divine Scriptures – Part-3
By Dr. Zafar Darak Qasmi, New Age Islam
22 May 2026
Abstract:
The Holy Qur’an confirms the earlier Divine Scriptures such as the Torah and the Gospel as books revealed by Allah. It explains that the present Bible is not completely the original Torah and Gospel, but it still contains parts of their true teachings. The real Torah included the commandments revealed to Prophet Musa, while the real Gospel contained the teachings and sermons of Prophet Isa. With the passage of time, many original copies were lost, and later scholars collected the remaining teachings into different books. The Qur’an confirms the genuine teachings found in these scriptures. Islam also teaches respect for earlier heavenly books and promotes peace, tolerance, unity, and mutual understanding among people of different religions.
Main Points:
· The Qur’an confirms that the Torah and Gospel were truly revealed by Allah for human guidance.
· Present Bible books contain scattered parts of the original Divine teachings revealed to earlier Prophets.
· Prophet Musa received commandments from Allah, while Prophet Isa preached guidance, wisdom, mercy, and righteousness.
· Islam teaches Muslims to respect previous heavenly scriptures and believe they were revealed by Allah.
· The article promotes peace, tolerance, unity, and understanding among people belonging to different religions and communities.
—
The Holy Qur’an mentions the earlier Divine Scriptures as true books sent by Allah. The Qur’an clearly says that the previous heavenly books were also revealed by Allah Almighty. Allah says in the Qur’an:
نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَاَنْزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْاِنْجِيْلَ۔ ( آل عمران: 3)
“He has revealed to you the Book with truth, confirming the scriptures that came before it, and He revealed the Torah and the Gospel before this.”
At this point, an important question arises. Are the present-day Bible, known as the Old Testament and the New Testament, exactly the same books that were revealed to Prophet Musa and Prophet Isa?
In the explanation of this verse, Abul A'la Maududi writes that many people think the Torah means the first five books of the Old Testament and the Gospel means the four famous Gospels of the New Testament. Because of this, people become confused and ask whether these books are truly the words of Allah and whether the Qur’an confirms everything written in them.
According to him, the real Torah is not the name of the first five books of the Bible. Rather, the original Torah is contained within them. In the same way, the Gospel is not the name of the four Gospels found in the New Testament. Instead, the true Gospel is the Divine teachings and sayings of Prophet Isa that are found within those books.
The Torah actually refers to the commandments revealed to Prophet Musa during nearly forty years of his prophethood. Some of these commandments were written on stone tablets by Allah Himself, while the remaining teachings were written down and preserved among the tribes of Bani Israel. Over time, because of wars, neglect, and destruction, many original copies were lost.
Later, after the return of the Israelites from Babylon, scholars such as Ezra helped collect and arrange the historical records and teachings related to Prophet Musa. These teachings later became part of the books now found in the Bible. Therefore, the original Torah exists in scattered form within those writings.
The Qur’an confirms these true and original teachings of the Torah. When these teachings are compared with the Qur’an, the basic principles and guidance are found to be very similar, although there may be some small differences in certain laws
Similarly, the Gospel refers to the Divine sermons, teachings, and sayings of Prophet Isa during the last years of his life. It is not fully known whether these teachings were written down during his lifetime or memorised by his followers. Later, when different writers prepared accounts of his life, they included these teachings in their books.
The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are therefore not themselves the original Gospel. Rather, the original Gospel consists of the sayings and teachings of Prophet Isa found within them. The Qur’an confirms these original teachings of the Gospel as well.
( Tafheem al Qur'an, volume 1, p331-333)
Allah says in the Qur’an:
وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَلِاُحِلَّ لَكُمْ بَعْضَ الَّـذِىْ حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَجِئْتُكُمْ بِاٰيَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللّـٰهَ وَاَطِيْعُوْنِ ۔
( آل عمران: 50)
“And I confirm the Torah that came before me, and I make lawful for you some things that were forbidden to you.”
In another verse Allah says:
وَهٰذَا كِتَابٌ اَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّـذِىْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ۔ ( الانعام: 92)
“And this is a blessed Book which We have revealed, confirming what came before it.”
Through such verses, the Qur’an gives a very clear message. One important point is that Muslims must respect all previous Divine Scriptures. Islam teaches believers to honour the earlier heavenly books and believe that they were revealed by Allah.
Another important message is that these verses promote social harmony, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Islam does not only teach respect for earlier religions, but also makes belief in the previous Divine Books a necessary part of faith.
This Islamic attitude towards other religions and their scriptures gives a strong message of unity, peace, and mutual respect. Today, there is a great need to spread harmony, cooperation, and understanding in society so that hatred and conflict in the name of religion may come to an end.
—
Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an Islamic Scholar, author and Regular Columnist for New Age Islam.
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/introduction-divine-scripttures-part-3/d/140121
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