LESSON 2: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE HOLY QURAN AND THE SCRIPTURES REVEALED BEFORE IT

1. Allah (S.W.T) chose Muhammed (peace be upon him) to be the last of his prophets. Hence the Holy Quran is the last of His books.

ALLAH, the Magnificent, says :

Muhammed (peace be upon him) is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the seal of Prophers; and Allah (S.W.T) is Aware of all things. (33 : 40)

2. The Quran contains several instructions which were present in the earlier Books, and also additional instruction which were and in. The Quran being the last Book confirms what was in the earlier Books also it re-affirms some earlier instructions and cancels some others, while issuing new ones in their place.

Allah (S.W.T) says :

Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospet (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them (that) which is right and forbid them (that) which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful. (7 : 157)

3. There is no difference in the basic rules of the Quran and the earlier Books. The aim of all Books revealed to the Prophets is to show the path of Truth, Faith and Brotherhood to mankind, and for man to obey Allah (S.W.T) only, who is the Creator of all Mankind.
The Quran thus treats all men equally and orders them to obey only Allah (S.W.T), so that there is greater mutual respect and understanding among them, and they can all live in peace and harmony in this World.

ALLAH the magnificent says :

And hold fast all of you together, to the rope of ALLAH (S.W.T) and do not separate. And remember Allah’s favour unto you: how ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace: and (how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it. Thus Allah (S.W.T) maketh clear His revelations unto you that haply ye may be guided : (3 : 103)

4. The earlier Books are no longer present in their original forms. People have wilfully made changes in them. Since Mankind could not protect the earlier Books, Allah (S.W.T) has taken the responsibility to protect the Quran, the last revealed Book. The Quran is thus the only Book to remain free of all changes for ever, and its every word can be accepted without any doubt.

ALLAH (S.W.T) says :

We have without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption). (15 : 9)

5. Summary of this lesson:

a) Muhammed (peace be upon him) is Allah’s last Messenger and Prophet.


b) The Holy Quran is the last of the divine scriptures.

c) The Quran confirms some instructions in the earlier Books, and cancels some.

d) The Quran and the earlier Books have many common instructions.

e) The earlier Books are no longer in their original form, (as has been explained in para “4” of this lesson) while the Quran remains intact and unchanged, for Allah (S.W.T) has Himself undertaken to keep it so.

Questions

Having read lesson 2, answer the following questions:

Q.1. Read the Quranic verse (33:40) quoted in para(1) again, in which we told you that no prophet of Allah's messenger will come after the Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be uopn him). From this statement we draw the conclusion that:

(a) The Holy Quran is the last of the divine scriptures Yes – No

(b) A divine scripture may be revealed after the Holy Quran
Yes – No


Q.2. We learn from the Quranic Verse (7:157) quoted in para 2 that reference to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is to be found in the older scriptures and that the Quran retains some of the injunctions contained in them while rejecting the others. Read the verse (7:157) once again and fill in the blank.

“and follow the light which is sent down with him: …………………………………………………"


Q.3. Check the correct answer below :-

(a) The Quran instructs all Mankind to obey Allah, the one and only God, to increase their mutaual love and understanding. ( )

(b) The Quran splits Mankind into several factions. ( )


Q. 4. We learn from the verse (15:9) as quoted in para (4) that Allah Himself has assumed the responsibility of guarding the Holy Quran. It therefore, follows that :-

(a) The Quran is no longer in its original form. ( )

(b) The Quran is safe from all changes. ( )


Q.5. We have learnt a number of things from this lesson about the Holy Quran and the older scriptures. Mention at least one of them below:-

Answers

1 (a)

2 They are the successful

3 (a)

4 (b)

5 (a) Muhammed (P.B.U.H) is Allah's last Messenger and prophet .