The Books that defined humanity

1. The Books that defined humanity The scriptures of Faith

2. Kitab • Arabic definition for the word “kitab” which is the same in both Arabic and Turkish • Writing and written document • In Islamic terminology: What Allah wants his Prophets and servants to declare, and a guide in this regard revealed through revelations (vahiy) through the Prophets and the written record of this.

3. A pillar of our faith • It is obligatory for every believer to believe in the books sent to us from Allah – all of them – in their original form • Without discussing whether their contents are right or true • Hadith: do not confirm or deny anything in the Ehl’Ikitab (the Holy Books, in this context to mean besides Quran) because we believe in what Allah has revealed to us and what Allah has revealed to Ibrahim • Bukhari, I’tisam 25

4. Surat An-Nisa 4:136 O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah , His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray.

5. The Need for Holy Books • Allah’s attributes are manifested to us through the Books sent to us, and wants us to know him through these attributes found in these Books. • This complete work is known in theology as “The Power of Being” and it’s work is classified in two categories: • 1. Strength (Kudret) • 2. Words (Kalem)

6. Kudret Attribute (Strength) • The universe is like a book written from Allah’s strength so to speak. • Everything in the universe tells us the story of Allah, without using any actual words, like we would in a written book. • They tell us of His Qualities, without having to use any words.

7. Kalem ( Words) Attribute • This is how Allah describes Himself and His attributes to us through the Prophets, Books, and other forms of revelation. • The creation and the giving of these Holy Books to us is not a necessity, for Allah created them as guides and help for us. • Knowing this, it is then important for us to realize that we need this help. • It is safe to say that the only way we can really know Allah is by reading his Books and living by the principles learned from them for happiness in this and the afterlife.

8. The different types of Revelations (Vahiy) the Prophets received • Vahiy – to imply, whisper, gesture, inspire, suggest, quickly and confidentially acquire knowledge • Vahiy – Allah’s way of guiding his chosen servants to be given hidayah (a gift, faith, a message, whatever the case may be) through His Angels, or directly. • Without actually experiencing ‘vahiy’ it is impossible to understand the complexities of it.

9. Vahiy • Since no one besides the Prophets can understand the way Vahiy’s are given, the way we have to understand this is through the Quran. The Quran speaks of ‘vahiy’ in three different ways. • “And it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.” • 42:51 Quran

10. 3 ways of Vahiy revelation in Quran • The revelations that came to the Prophets directly • The revelations that came from Jibreel • Knowledge of the hidden or internal meanings of the Holy Books by the Prophets

11. The Different Books of Revelation • The Pages • The Torah • The Bible • The Book of Psalms

12. The Pages • There were compilations of pages that were designed to answer questions that were of necessity. • And they say, "Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?" Has there not come to them evidence of what was in the former scriptures? • Taha 20:33 • Indeed, this is in the former scriptures • Al-Al’la 87:18

13. The Pages • The Quran mentions giving these types of small Books to Prophets Ibrahim, Ishak, Yakub, Suleyman, Yusuf, and Zekeriyya (AS) • Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of His bounty? But we had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom 4:54 • Those are the ones to whom We gave the Scripture and authority and prophethood. But if the disbelievers deny it, then We have entrusted it to a people who are not therein disbelievers. 6:89 • And We have already sent Noah and Abraham and placed in their descendants prophethood and scripture; and among them is he who is guided, but many of them are defiantly disobedient. 57:26

14. The Pages • Not mentioned in the Quran, but we know from Hadith that these types of Pages were also given to Prophets Adam, Seth (who was never mentioned in Quran), and Idris. We also know their specific numbers: • Adam – 10 • Seth – 50 • Idris – 30 • Ibrahim – 10 (the exact number is not mentioned in Quran)

15. The Pages • They ranged from knowledge of • Tawhid (Oneness) of Allah • Tenzih: Believing that only good comes from Allah and belief that He has no fault or weakness • Knowing the best for us in this and the after-life • Salat/Namaz • Sermons and examples of living the best way possible and things along that nature

16. The Torah (Tawrah) • Given to Prophet Moses • Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah ] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah , and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers. 5:44

17. The Psalms (Zabur) • Given to Prophet David (Dawut) • And your Lord is most knowing of whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to David We gave the book [of Psalms]. 17:55

18. The Bible (Injil) • Given to Prophet Jesus (Isa) • And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous. 5:46

19. The Holy Quran • Arabic meaning of the actual word: • To read and become a master of the Quran • This becomes apparent us in the 17th and 18th ayah’s of Surat Al-Qiyamah • Indeed, upon Us is its collection [in your heart] and [to make possible] its recitation. So when We have recited it [through Gabriel], then follow its recitation. 75:17, 18

20. The Quran • Revealed over 23 years (610-632 CE) to Prophet Muhammed • The Quran holds the ordinances and promises of Allah • The Quran is the perfect companion to understand the world Allah has created for us • The Quran had the principles and the way to become truly happy in all prospects of our lives

21. Scientific Findings in Quran • And We have sent the fertilizing winds and sent down water from the sky and given you drink from it. And you are not its retainers. 15:22 • The wind is sent bearing water from the sky, then it fertilizes the clouds until rain begins to generously fall, and the fertilized wind also pollinates the trees • Then Allah says that we are not its retainers, meaning Allah sends wind and also water to us already prepared and ready for us to drink. • Allah also mentions in the Quran that he could’ve sent down water salty and unable to drink (56:68-70) so we should be ever thankful the water given

22. Scientific Findings in Quran • And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember. (51:49) • As we know everything comes in pairs. Humans, animals and scientists are now even finding that atoms are in pairs (electrons and protrons). • Allah also tells us in SurahYa-sin • Exalted is He who created all pairs - from what the earth grows and from themselves and from that which they do not know. (36:36)

23. Scientific Findings in Quran • And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander. (51:47) • This verse describes the scientific term of strength with the arabic term of expansion some 1,400 years ago • And the sun runs [on course] toward its stopping point. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing. (36:38) • This is where the Quran mentions that the sun will not go on forever, and it will one day end. This verse also points to the fact that there will be a judgment day. • And you see the mountains, thinking them rigid, while they will pass as the passing of clouds. [It is] the work of Allah , who perfected all things. Indeed, He is Acquainted with that which you do. (27:88) • While it may not be obvious to the naked eye, this points that that the mountains do in fact move

24. Allah’s promise to protect Quran • Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian. 15:9 • Allah promised to protect the Quran from being changed like the previously revealed Books, and that is why all Arabic in all Qurans are the same and the transliterations may differ. That is another reason why we must hold it near and dear to our hearts, and learn it well so we know right from wrong.

25. The End • Next Week: Belief in the Prophets 