There is a misconception that has been circulating in
our community for a while that the word scripture does
not necessarily mean a written book or format, and that
a scripture could be just some inspired information to
be imparted by verbal communication of a prophet. This
is a meaning that is not founded in the Arabic language
or in the Quran.
Perhaps one factor that might contribute to this
misconception is the mix up between the definition of a
scripture with the meaning of a divinely inspired
message. God's message to humanity has been one and the
same: There is only one God, worship Him alone. A
message is the essence of what a scripture will detail,
but it cannot substitute that scripture. In other
words, God's message is definitely contained in all
divine scriptures, but cannot stand by itself without a
detailed scripture to teach us how to worship God alone
and attain righteousness. It has been God's unchangeable
system that He sends guiding scriptures with His
prophets to different generations and He sends
messengers without scriptures only to confirm God's
message and unveil what is already embedded within this
existing scripture. It is only illogical to believe that
a messenger without a scripture will be accepted without
having support for what he claims and for his message in
an existing scripture:
One God/One Message/One Religion
[21:25] We did not send any
messenger before you except with the inspiration: "There
is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone."
[21:10] We have sent down
to you a scripture containing your message.
Do you not understand?
Major Prophecy Fulfilled*
God's Messenger of the Covenant
[3:81] GOD took a covenant
from the prophets, saying, "I
will give you the scripture and wisdom.
Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm
all existing scriptures. You shall believe
in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with
this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said,
"We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I
bear witness along with you."
Disregarding God's Scripture
[2:101] Now that a
messenger from GOD has come to them,*
and even though he proves and confirms their
own scripture, some followers of the
scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) disregard
GOD's scripture behind their backs, as if they never had
any scripture.
A scripture must contain teachings, rites, wisdom,
enlightenment, and laws that settle all disputes.
Please reflect:
The Book of Moses*
[28:43] We gave Moses the
scripture - after having annihilated the previous
generations, and after setting the examples through
them - to provide enlightenment for the
people, and guidance, and mercy, that they may take
heed.
Disastrous Jealousy
[2:213] The people used to be
one community when GOD sent the prophets as
bearers of good news, as well as warners.
He sent down with them the scripture, bearing the
truth, to judge among the people in their disputes.
Ironically, those who received the scripture were
the ones who rejected any new scripture, despite
clear proofs given to them. This is due to jealousy
on their part. GOD guides those who believe to the
truth that is disputed by all others, in accordance
with His will. GOD guides whoever wills in a
straight path.*
Quran: The Ultimate Reference
[5:48] Then we revealed to
you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous
scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule
among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and
do not follow their wishes if they differ from the
truth that came to you. For each of you,
we have decreed laws and different rites. Had
GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation.
But He thus puts you to the test through the
revelations He has given each of you.
You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your
final destiny - all of you - then He will inform you
of everything you had disputed.
[42:17] GOD is the
One who sent down the scripture, to deliver the
truth and the law. For all that
you know, the Hour (Day of Judgment) may be very
close.
Iron: The Most Useful Metal
[57:25] We sent our
messengers supported by clear proofs, and we
sent down to them the scripture and the law,
that the people may uphold justice. And
we sent down the iron, wherein there is strength,
and many benefits for the people. All this in order
for GOD to distinguish those who would support Him
and His messengers, on faith. GOD is Powerful,
Almighty.
[16:64] We have revealed
this scripture to you,
to point out for them what they dispute, and
to provide guidance and mercy for people who
believe.
[4:105] We have sent down to
you the scripture, truthfully,
in order to judge among the people in accordance
with what GOD has shown you. You shall
not side with the betrayers.
[10:57] O people,
enlightenment has come to you herein
from your Lord, and healing for anything
that troubles your hearts, and
guidance, and mercy
for the believers.
[44:4] In it (the scripture),
every matter of wisdom is
clarified.
In both the Arabic and English language, the meaning of
this word, scripture, is based on having a written
format or a written source. Any writing, whether it is
of a divine nature or not, irrespective of the kind of
text used in its script, the material on which this text
is written, and the tool or the manner by which this
text is written, is called a scripture.
Since Quran was revealed in perfect Arabic tongue, with
no ambiguity (16:103, 39:28), we should study and
analyze the meaning of this word, scripture/book, in its
perfect Arabic format, Ketab. There should be no room
left for personal interpretations or opinions about the
meaning of this word, after God and the language He
chose for the Quran:
The root of the word ( Ka Ta Ba) and all its
derivatives, verbs and nouns, mean nothing but
documented, recorded or written words. whether the text
is composed by letters, symbols, or pictures, written on
rocks, tablets, wood, mountains, sand, plants, paper, or
on a computer screen, by engraving, by carving, by
drawing, by nails, by pens, or typed by fingers, all
this is irrelevant. "Ketab" mandates the presence of
written material being read. This is the ONLY meaning of
this word in the Arabic language. The oral/verbal format
has nothing to do with the meaning of the word scripture
or ketab, and any verbal/oral communication cannot by
any means be considered "Ketab" or scripture. This would
be a stretch beyond the perfect Arabic word used by God
almighty.
In support of the above meaning of "Ketab" (written,
documented , recorded words), the following verses
confirm the fact that God's scriptures were dictated,
hence written and recorded by hands in whatever text
format. Please reflect:
Honoring Previous Scripture
[5:44] We have sent down the
Torah,* containing guidance and light. Ruling in
accordance with it were the Jewish prophets,
as well as the rabbis and the
priests, as dictated to them in
GOD's scripture, and as witnessed
by them. Therefore, do not reverence human
beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade
away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not
rule in accordance with GOD's revelations are the
disbelievers.
[25:5] They also said, "Tales
from the past that he wrote down; they were
dictated to him day and night."*
[53:4] It was divine inspiration.
[53:5] Dictated
by the Most Powerful.
[80:13] In honorable
scriptures.
[80:14] Exalted and pure.
[80:15] (Written) by
the hands of messengers.
[80:16] Who are honorable and
righteous.
[52:1] Mt. Sinai.
[52:2] The recorded
scripture.
[52:3] Published in
books.
[7:145] We wrote for
him on the tablets all kinds of enlightenments and
details of everything: "You shall uphold these
teachings strongly, and exhort your people to uphold
them - these are the best teachings. I will point out
for you the fate of the wicked."
[7:157] "(4) follow the
messenger, the gentile prophet (Muhammad),
whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel.*
He exhorts them to be righteous, enjoins them from evil,
allows for them all good food, and prohibits that which
is bad, and unloads the burdens and the shackles imposed
upon them. Those who believe in him, respect him,
support him, and follow the light that came with him are
the successful ones."
The Quran's Mathematical Code
[11:17] As for those who are
given solid proof* from their Lord, reported by a
witness from Him, and before it, the book of
Moses has set a precedent and a mercy,**
they will surely believe. As for those who disbelieve
among the various groups, Hell is awaiting them. Do not
harbor any doubt; this is the truth from your Lord, but
most people disbelieve.
False Messengers Condemned
[6:93] Who is more evil than one
who fabricates lies and attributes them to GOD,
or says, "I have received divine inspiration," when no
such inspiration was given to him,
or says, "I can write the same as GOD's revelations?"
If only you could see the transgressors at the time of
death! The angels extend their hands to them, saying,
"Let go of your souls. Today, you have incurred a
shameful retribution for saying about GOD other than the
truth, and for being too arrogant to accept His
revelations.
God's Messages to the World
[6:91] They never valued GOD as
He should be valued. Thus, they said, "GOD does not
reveal anything to any human being." Say, "Who
then revealed the scripture that Moses brought, with
light and guidance for the people?"
You put it down on paper to proclaim it, while
concealing a lot of it. You were taught
what you never knew - you and your parents. Say, "GOD
(is the One who revealed it)," then leave them in their
heedlessness, playing.
[2:79] Therefore, woe to those
who distort the scripture with their own
hands, then say, "This is what GOD has
revealed," seeking a cheap material gain. Woe to them
for such distortion, and woe to them for their illicit
gains.
Keeping the above verses in mind, dictated and
written text implies being able to read this text, an
action that is repeated numerous times in the Quran in
regards to God's scriptures. We cannot read what
is simply spread by verbal or oral communication:
Do Not Prohibit What Is Lawful
[3:93] All food used to be lawful
for the Children of Israel, until Israel imposed certain
prohibitions on themselves before the Torah was sent
down. Say, "Bring the Torah and read it,
if you are truthful."
[2:113] The Jews said, "The
Christians have no basis," while the Christians said,
"The Jews have no basis." Yet, both of them
read the scripture. Such are the utterances
of those who possess no knowledge. GOD will judge them
on the Day of Resurrection, regarding their disputes.
The Messenger's Doubt
[10:94] If you have any doubt
regarding what is revealed to you from your Lord,
then ask those who read the previous
scripture. Indeed, the truth has come to you
from your Lord. Do not be with the doubters.
Quran: Muhammad's Miracle*
[29:48] You did not
read the previous scriptures, nor did you write
them with your hand. In that case, the
rejectors would have had reason to harbor doubts.
[2:44] Do you exhort the people
to be righteous, while forgetting yourselves,
though you read the scripture? Do you not
understand?
[96:1] Read,
in the name of your Lord, who created.*
[96:2] He created man from an
embryo.
[96:3] Read,
and your Lord, Most Exalted.
[96:4] Teaches by means
of the pen.
[96:5] He teaches man what he
never knew.
Another Arabic word that is used for Ketab or divine
scripture in the Quran is "suhuf". The root is Sa Ha Fa,
which is also a perfect Arabic word used by God and has
no meaning in the Arabic language but written,
documented or recorded words. This clear word is used to
describe both scriptures of Abraham and Moses. "The
teachings" for both Abraham and Moses are written as "Sohuf"
in the Arabic text of the following three verses:
[87:18] This is recorded in the
earlier teachings.
[87:19] The teachings
of Abraham and Moses.
[53:36] Was he not informed
of the teachings in the scripture
of Moses?
It is noteworthy that the teachings of Moses "Sohuf" are
also described as a statute book and a scripture in 2:53
and 21:48, a proof that this word, Suhuf, means a script
or whatever collection of documented words. Of course we
know that Moses's documented words were engraved on
tablets for both him and his brother Aaron (7:145 .We
wrote for him on the tablets all kinds of enlightenments
and details of everything: ..) :
[2:53] Recall that we gave Moses
scripture and the
statute book, that you may be guided.
Prophets Moses and Aaron
[21:48] We gave Moses and Aaron
the Statute Book, a
beacon, and a reminder
for the righteous.A third perfect and accurate
Arabic word that means nothing but written documents is
also used by God almighty for His books. This word is "Zubur",
the plural of "Zaboor". "Zaboor" is equivalent to
"written book" and its verb means nothing but "write",
in Arabic Ketab and Kataba, respectively.
The word (single or plural) is used ten times by
God. Five of them are exclusively for the Psalms of
David, not as a proper name at all for the Psalms but
only to describe his scripture as written document, just
like Ketab or Suhuf. Four times are to
generally refer to God's scriptures, just like Ketab or
Suhuf. One time to indicate the division of the people
just as we tare papers into pieces. The ten verses are
21:105, 4:163, 17:55, 3:164, 35:25, 26:196, 16:44,
54:52, 54:43, and 25:53 respectively.
The use and the meaning of the word "Suhuf" in the above
verses and the word "Zubur" serve as an additional confirmation of the
definition of a Ketab or scripture/book -written and
documented words. The language of the Quran is Arabic,
and there is no other meaning for the word Ketab, Suhuf
or Zubur but a written script or material. If later
generations have failed to find the original manuscripts
of God's scriptures or found some contradictions and
flaws in whatever was left of them, this is only because
God has promised the preservation process exclusively
for the Quran on this earth. Humans have been corrupting
God's scriptures over the years, but we are promised the
perfect preservation of God's words in the Quran. This
promise has been fulfilled through the perpetual
mathematical miracle of the Quran:
God's Messenger of the Covenant*
[15:9] Absolutely,
we have revealed the reminder, and, absolutely,
we will preserve it.*
*15:1 & *15:9 The divine source and the perfect
preservation of the Quran are proven by the Quran's
mathematical code (Appendix 1). God's Messenger of the
Covenant was destined to unveil this great miracle. The
word "Dhikr" denotes the Quran's code in several verses
(5:6, 21:2, 26:5, 38:1, 38:8, 74:31). The value of "Rashad
Khalifa" (1230)+15+9=1254, 19x66.
Based on Quran, Noah started the history of
prophets to humanity. Our accountability and hence God's
annihilation as a consequence of rejecting His
revelations started by Noah and his community
(42:13, 40:5,7:69, 6:84,11:48, 17:17,7:69,
25:36-37 and others). This makes what Noah
delivered, in
whatever language or symbols, whether it
was found, lost, or will be found, the first
written manuscript of laws and rites. All the prophets were the
descendants of Adam and they all came
from three distinctive ancestries, Noah, Abraham,
and Israel (19:58) who was not named among God's
prophets:
The Prophets
[57:26] We sent
Noah and
Abraham, and we
granted their descendants prophethood and
the scripture. Some of them
were guided, while many were wicked.
God's prophets are well-defined by God in
the Quran and therefore all His written manuscripts or Suhuf can be simply counted:
[19:56] And
mention in the scripture Idris.
He was a saint, a prophet.
Not The Final Messenger*
[33:40]
Muhammad was not the father of
any man among you. He was a
messenger of GOD and the final prophet.
GOD is fully aware of all things.
[6:83] Such was
our argument, with which we supported
Abraham against
his people. We exalt whomever we will to
higher ranks. Your Lord is Most Wise,
Omniscient.
[6:84] And we
granted him Isaac
and Jacob, and
we guided both of them. Similarly, we
guided Noah
before that, and from his descendants
(we guided) David,
Solomon,
Job, Joseph,
Moses, and
Aaron. We thus
reward the righteous.
[6:85] Also,
Zachariah,
John, Jesus,
and Elias; all
were righteous.
[6:86] And
Ismail,
Elisha, Jonah,
and Lot; each of
these we distinguished over all the
people.
[....] [6:89]
Those were the ones to whom
we have given the scripture, wisdom, and
prophethood. If these
people disbelieve, we will substitute
others in their place, and the new
people will not be disbelievers.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless you.
