Volume - III / CHAPTER - 1 / LESSON NO: 3
DIVINE BOOKS
Q 1: What is Divine Book?
A. Divine Books are those books or Suhuf (little books) which Allah Almighty descended on His Prophets for the guidance of His creatures (particularly mankind). These Divine Books are "Kalaam Allah" (Speech of Allah) and whatever these books contained is the truth. It is must to believe in all of them.
Q 2: Which one of these Divine Books is the most distinguished?
A. Of all these Divine Books, four are prominent ones: Torah (old Testament), Zabur (the original Psalms), Bible (new Testament) and the Holy Qur-aan. The Glorious Qur-aan is the most distinguished of all Divine Books.
Q 3: In which languages were these prominent Divine Books sent down?
A. Torah and Zabur were sent down in Hebrews' language, Bible in Syriac and the Holy Qur-aan in Arabic.
Q 4: What is meant by the distinction of the Holy Qur-aan when all the Divine Books aire "Kalaam Allah"?
A. One thing is superior to the other in "Kalaam Allah" means the Holy Qur-aan carries more reward for us.
Q 5: Can we follow Torah and Bible etc: or not?
A. No, we can not follow other Divine Books except the Holy Qur-aan because firstly the jews and Christians have interpolated them thus these divine books are no more in original condition and secondly most of the injunctions contained in the past books have been annulled (Mansookh) by the Holy Qur-aan. Hence, if it is supposed that these books are original ones even then we can not follow them. Besides, the Glorious Qur-aan contains all the things which are necessary for mankind.
Q 6: What is meant by "Mansookh" (annulled)?
A. "Naskh" means that certain injunctions are for certain conditions or period. After the said period is over, the other injunction is sent down which annuls the previous one(s) but, in fact, the new injunction speaks of the fact that the period of the previous injunction is over. Thus the former is called "Mansookh" (annulled) and the latter "Naasikh" (annulling injunction).
Q 7: It means that the annulled injunction is not "Baatil" (false) so what about him who says it "Baatil"?
A. "Mansookh"(annulled injunction) should not be taken as "Baatil"(false) as some people do. Use of such words is derogatory. Every divine injunction is the truth.
Q 8: Was the Holy Qur-aan sent down in the same composition in which it is at present?
A. The verses of the Holy Qur-aan were sent down either singly or in batches (as the need arose) during the span of 23 years. Its composition was not that which is at present.
Q 9: How then the Holy Qur-aan was arranged in the present form?
A. The Holy Qur-aan was sent down in verse (singly or in batches). If the verses of one chapter descended at one time the verses of the other chapter descended the other time and then the verses of the former descended. At each time (Hadrat) Gibreil told the Holy Prophet about the chapter to which the verses pertained and also their place in the chapter and in turn the Holy Prophet told his companions that the verses descended belonged to such and such chapter and to be put before that verse and after that one. Thus the verses of the Holy Qur-aan were placed in the concerned chapters.
The Holy Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur-aan so arranged in and out of the prayers and his great companions followed the Holy Prophet to this effect. In short, the verses and chapters of the Glorious Qur-aan were arranged in the present form by the command of Allah, (revealed through Hadrat Gibreil) as it was preserved in "Lauhay Mahfooz" (protected tablet) during the life time of the Holy Prophet.
Q10: What is meant by "Makki" verses and "Madani" verses?
A. The verses which were revealed to the Holy Prophet in Holy Makkah and its adjoining areas are called "Makki" and the verses which were sent down in Holy Madinah and its surrounding areas are called "Madani".
Q11: What is the difference between the topics of Makki and Madani verses?
A. The difference between Makki and Madani verses in respect of topics is that Makki verses generally explain the cardinal beliefs i.e. Tauheed (monotheism), Risaalat (Prophethood), resurrection, Doomsday etc: whereas the Madani verses are the elucidation of actions i.e. injunctions to ameliorate behaviour and manners and how to conduct life affairs in a decent way etc.