An Introduction to the Divine Scriptures – Part-2
By Dr.Zafar Darak Qasmi, New Age Islam
21 May 2026
Abstract:
The Torah is a Divine Book revealed by Allah to Prophet Moses . The Holy Qur’an describes the Torah as a source of guidance, light, mercy, and divine law for Bani Israel. The prophets, scholars, and religious leaders were responsible for protecting its teachings and judging according to Allah’s commands. Islamic scholars explain that the original Torah contained moral teachings, spiritual guidance, and rules for human life. Many researchers believe that the present Torah is not exactly the same as the original Torah mentioned in the Qur’an, although some revealed teachings still remain in it. The basic teachings of Prophet Musa and Prophet Ibrahim were similar. This shows that all prophets brought the same fundamental message of faith, guidance, and obedience to Allah.
Main Points:
· The Torah was revealed by Allah to Prophet Musa as guidance, light, mercy, and divine law.
· Prophets and scholars protected the Torah and judged people according to Allah’s revealed commandments faithfully.
· Islamic scholars explain that the original Torah contained moral teachings, spiritual guidance, and life regulations clearly.
· Researchers believe the present Torah differs from the original Divine Torah mentioned clearly within the Qur’an.
· All prophets brought similar fundamental teachings about faith, guidance, morality, and obedience towards Allah alone.
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The Holy Qur’an mentions the Divine Book, the Torah. The Torah is the book that was revealed to Prophet Moses.
The Qur’an speaks about the Torah in different ways. In one place, Allah says that the Torah is guidance and light. Allah says:
اِنَّـآ اَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيْـهَا هُدًى وَّنُوْرٌ ۚ يَحْكُمُ بِـهَا النَّبِيُّوْنَ الَّـذِيْنَ اَسْلَمُوْا لِلَّـذِيْنَ هَادُوْا وَالرَّبَّانِيُّوْنَ وَالْاَحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُوْا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللّـٰهِ وَكَانُوْا عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَآءَ ۚ فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلَا تَشْتَـرُوْا بِاٰيَاتِىْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيْلًا ۚ وَمَنْ لَّمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَآ اَنْزَلَ اللّـٰهُ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُـمُ الْكَافِرُوْنَ ۔ ( المائدہ: 44)
“Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which there was guidance and light. By it, the prophets who submitted themselves to Allah judged for the Jews, as did the religious scholars and learned men, because they were entrusted with the protection of Allah’s Book and were witnesses over it. So do not fear people, but fear Me, and do not sell My verses for a small price. Whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then such people are disbelievers.”
While explaining this verse, Amin Ahsan Islahi wrote about the importance and spiritual value of the Torah:
“Allah did not reveal the Torah as something useless or for amusement. It was revealed to protect high moral values, guide people towards the path shown by Allah and His prophets, provide guidance to the straight path, and bring people out of the darkness of desires and innovations into the light.
The verse also explains the attitude of the true followers of the Torah. The obedient prophets, sincere scholars, and jurists themselves followed it and judged the matters of the Jews according to its teachings. They always remembered that they were guardians and witnesses of Allah’s Book. Therefore, they were not allowed to betray it or hide its teachings. This was a covenant from Allah which they had to fulfil.”
(Tadabbur-e-Qur’an, Vol. 2, p. 527)
Muhammad Shafi Usmani writes:
“Allah revealed the Torah which contained guidance towards truth and a special light. The later replacement of the law of the Torah does not reduce its value. Rather, changes in laws happened according to the changing needs of different times. The Torah was also revealed by Allah and contained principles of guidance for the Bani Israel, along with a spiritual light that influenced their hearts.”
(Ma‘arif-ul-Qur’an, Vol. 3, p. 159)
Professor Mohammad Saud Alam Qasmi wrote in his article Heavenly Books:
“The Torah mentioned in the Holy Qur’an is not exactly the same as the present Old Testament. The Torah revealed by Allah contained commands and guidance for Musa (Moses) and his people. It was a complete code of life. However, the present Torah also contains details about the life, travels, illness, death, and burial of Musa.
The current Torah consists of five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books were written long after Musa. The fifth book, Deuteronomy, was added nearly six hundred years after Musa. Still, it can be said that some revealed commands given to Musa are included in the present Torah, along with details about lawful and unlawful matters.”
(Diraasat-e-Deeniyyah Magazine, p. 13)
From these discussions, it can clearly be understood that the Torah was a book revealed by Allah and was His divine word. However, many researchers believe that the present Torah is not exactly the same Torah mentioned in the Qur’an as a source of guidance and light.
The Qur’an again describes the Torah as guidance and mercy in another verse. Allah says:
ثُـمَّ اٰتَيْنَا مُوْسَى الْكِتَابَ تَمَامًا عَلَى الَّـذِىٓ اَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيْلًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَّهُدًى وَرَحْـمَةً لَّـعَلَّـهُـمْ بِلِقَـآءِ رَبِّـهِـمْ يُؤْمِنُـوْنَ ۔ ( الانعام: 154)
“Then We gave Musa the Book, completing Our favour upon those who do good, explaining everything clearly, and as guidance and mercy, so that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.”
It should be remembered that the basic teachings given to Musa were the same fundamental teachings connected with the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham). The commandments written on the tablets, known as the Ten Commandments, are also found in the Torah. The words may differ, but the teachings are largely the same. The foundation of the Mosaic law was built upon these commandments, while later details were added.
This shows that the basic religion of all prophets was one. The difference was only in details, stages, and completion. Islam restored the religion to its original foundation, the faith of Ibrahim, and removed those restrictions that had been placed upon the Jews because of their disobedience.
(Tadabbur-e-Qur’an, Vol.3,p. 205)
Both of these Qur’anic verses describe the Torah as a source of light and guidance. In other words, the Torah was also a Divine Book meant to guide humanity. More important aspects of the Torah will be discussed in the next part.
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Dr Zafar Darak Qasmi is an Islamic scholar, author, and regular columnist for New Age Islam.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/introduction-to-divine-scriptures-part-2/d/140105
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