Holy Books

• Quran means recitation
• The Quran is always read in Arabic - this is to preserve God's infallible words. The Quran was revealed in Arabic - Muslims therefore believe it cannot be truly studied in other languages. This shows how important the Quran is to muslims as they will not deviate from it in any way.
• Authority of the Quran for Muslims

  • Factual word of God without error.
  • Unchanging and unchangeable
  • Cannot be criticised
  • Miracle- Muhammed was illterate so it was greater than ny book man could produce
  • Covers every aspect of life
  • Basis for Shariah law
• The laws of God are always superior to the laws of man
• How do muslims use the Quran?

  • Daily worship
  • Jummah
  • Celebrations, festivals and rights of passage
  • Source of Shariah law
  • Source of wisdom, guidance and support
  • Insight and explanation
  • Treated with respect and reverance
• "The Quran is nothing less than a revelation that is sent to him. It was taught to him by an angel with mighty powers and great strength" Surah 53
• "Nor could this Quran have been devised by anyone other than God" Surah 10
• "The Quran confirms what was revealed before it" Surah 10
• The Torah

  • Not considered direct words of God
  • Revelations given to Moses by God
  • No longer exist in original form
  • referred to as 'guidance and light' in the Quran
• Suhuf (scrolls of Ibrahim)

  • Parable like stories
  • Revelations received on the first day of Ramadan
  • Never in one single book
• Gospel

  • Written account of Jesus's life and death written by his followers
  • Muslims believe it contains mistakes as they are not the direct word of God
• Psalms

  • Collections of prayers poems by the King David
  • Given by God as a form of guidance
  • Found in the Bible
• Authority of other books

  • Quran references them so they must be important
  • Muhammed confirmed much of these books
  • Connected to well-respected prophets
  • Give God's guidance even if not perfectly
  • Some are lost now and no one knows the original scripture
  • Changed so much they lose authority
  • Why not preserved by God?