Islam teaches that Allah has always guided people by sending messages through chosen prophets. These messages were sent in the form of divine revelations, which are known as holy books. These books were not written by humans but were given by Allah to help people understand the truth about life, faith, and how to live in the best way. Each book carried wisdom and instructions that suited the time and people to whom it was sent.
The holy books in Islam are more than just religious texts; they are messages from Allah that teach right from wrong. They explain how to worship, how to treat others, and how to build a good society. Just like a map helps travelers find the right path, these books guide people toward truth and goodness. Over time, different prophets received these books, and each one played an important role in shaping human history.
Allah did not leave people without direction. He sent these books so that they could always know what is right. These books helped people understand their purpose in life, the importance of kindness, and the rewards of doing good. The final and complete message was given in the form of the Quran, which remains unchanged and continues to be the ultimate source of guidance for all people.
Concept of Divine Books in Islam
In Islam, believing in the holy books is one of the six pillars of faith. A Muslim must believe that Allah sent divine books to guide people. These books were not written by humans but were revealed to prophets so that people could understand the truth. They taught people how to worship Allah, treat others with kindness, and live a righteous life. Without these books, people would not know the correct path to follow.
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers…”
Each book carried Allah’s words and wisdom. The prophets did not speak from their own thoughts; they shared the exact messages given to them by Allah.
“Nor does he speak from [his own] desire. It is only a Revelation revealed.”
(Surah An-Najm 53:3-4)
Muslims believe that all divine books contained the truth, and they respect every book that Allah revealed. However, they follow the Quran as the final and unchanged message that is complete and perfect.
The Role of Revelations in Different Eras
Allah sent different books at different times to guide people. In every era, people needed direction to help them understand what is right and wrong. The world changed over time, and people faced new challenges. To make sure they always had the right guidance, Allah sent divine books that suited the needs of their time. Each book reminded people to worship only Allah and to follow the right path.
“Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light…”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:44)“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…”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:46)
Some earlier books were lost, while others were changed by people. As a result, their original messages did not remain pure. But Allah protected the final book, the Quran, so that no one could ever change it.
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
(Surah Al-Hijr 15:9)
The Quran confirms the messages of the previous books and serves as the complete guidance for all people until the end of time.
“And We have revealed to you [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it…”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48)
The Quran confirms the messages of the previous books and serves as the complete guidance for all people until the end of time. Muslims believe in all the holy books, but they follow the Quran because it is the last and final revelation from Allah.
The Four Main Holy Books in Islam
1. Tawrat (Torah)
One of the main holy books in Islam is the Tawrat, which was given to Prophet Musa (Moses, AS). Allah sent this book to guide the people of Israel, also known as the Bani Israel. The Tawrat contained laws and teachings that helped people understand how to live a righteous life. It explained what was right and wrong and gave clear rules about worship, justice, and daily life.
“Indeed, We sent down the Tawrat, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews…”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:44)
The Tawrat was a great blessing, as it helped the people of that time stay on the straight path. However, over the years, the original message of the Tawrat was changed by people. Some parts were lost, and some were rewritten, making it different from what was originally revealed by Allah.
“So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ in order to exchange it for a small price…”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:79)
That is why Muslims believe in the Tawrat but follow the Quran, which is the final and unchanged message from Allah.
2. Zabur (Psalms)
Another holy book in Islam is the Zabur, which was given to Prophet Dawud (David, AS). The Zabur was a collection of beautiful praises, prayers, and wisdom from Allah. It was a book of guidance, filled with reminders about the greatness of Allah and the importance of worship.
“And We gave to David the Zabur.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:163)
Unlike the Tawrat, the Zabur did not contain many laws but focused more on glorifying Allah and encouraging people to be grateful and obedient.
The people who received the Zabur were expected to follow its teachings and remain faithful to Allah. However, over time, the original Zabur was lost, and its teachings were no longer fully preserved. Muslims believe that it was a divine book, but they rely on the Quran, which contains the complete and final guidance for all people.
3. Injeel (Gospel)
The Injeel was the holy book revealed to Prophet Isa (Jesus, AS). It contained Allah’s guidance for the people of that time, teaching them about faith, kindness, and the importance of worshiping one true God. The Injeel gave clear lessons on love, mercy, and helping others, and it confirmed the messages that were in the Tawrat.
“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…”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:46)
However, just like the other earlier books, the original Injeel was not kept in its pure form. People changed its words, added new ideas, and removed parts of Allah’s message.
“Indeed, among them is a group who distort the Book with their tongues so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book…”
(Surah Aal-Imran 3:78)
This is why Muslims believe the true Injeel was a divine revelation, but they do not follow the versions available today. Instead, they follow the Quran, which is the final and unchanged revelation from Allah.
4. Quran – The Final Revelation
The last and most important holy book in Islam is the Quran, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Unlike the previous books, the Quran was not meant for one group of people or one specific time. It is the final and complete message from Allah for all of humanity, guiding people until the end of time.
The Quran contains everything needed to live a good life. It teaches about faith, worship, kindness, justice, and the hereafter. It corrects the changes that were made to the previous books and confirms the truth that was originally sent by Allah.
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:2)“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right…”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:9)
One of the greatest miracles of the Quran is that it has never been changed. Allah Himself promised to protect it, and today, millions of people around the world have memorized it exactly as it was revealed.
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
(Surah Al-Hijr 15:9)
Muslims believe in all the holy books in Islam, but they follow the Quran because it is the final and perfect guidance from Allah. It is the only book that has remained unchanged and will continue to be the light for those who seek the truth.
Other Scriptures and Scrolls Mentioned in Islam
1. Suhuf-e-Ibrahim (Scrolls of Abraham)
Before the major holy books were revealed, Allah sent guidance to some prophets in the form of scrolls. One of these scriptures was Suhuf-e-Ibrahim, also known as the Scrolls of Abraham. These were divine messages given to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, AS), one of the most respected prophets in Islam. He was known for his strong faith and devotion to Allah. The scrolls contained wisdom, lessons about life, and instructions on how to worship Allah properly.
“Or has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses, and [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations]?”
(Surah An-Najm 53:36–37)“Indeed, this is in the former scriptures, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.”
(Surah Al-A’la 87:18–19)
The messages in these scrolls helped people understand the importance of obedience to Allah, honesty, and kindness. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was sent to guide people away from idol worship and towards the worship of one true God. His scrolls reminded people to stay on the right path and follow Allah’s commands. However, over time, these scrolls were lost, and their exact teachings are no longer available. Muslims still believe in them as part of the divine revelations, but they follow the Quran, which contains complete and preserved guidance.
2. Suhuf-e-Musa (Scrolls of Moses)
Another set of divine scriptures mentioned in Islam is Suhuf-e-Musa, also known as the Scrolls of Moses. These were given to Prophet Musa (Moses, AS) before the Tawrat (Torah) was revealed. These scrolls contained teachings about faith, morality, and the laws of Allah. They were meant to guide people toward righteousness and help them understand how to live according to Allah’s commands.
The Scrolls of Musa (AS) were important for the people of that time, but like the Scrolls of Ibrahim (AS), they were lost over the years. They are no longer available in their original form. While Muslims believe in these scriptures as part of Allah’s revelations, they do not follow them because their messages are no longer preserved. Instead, they follow the Quran, which is the final and complete guidance from Allah, protecting the truth that was revealed in earlier scriptures.
The Holy Quran: The Final and Unaltered Revelation
Preservation of the Quran
Among all the holy books in Islam, the Quran is the final and most important revelation. Unlike the previous scriptures, the Quran has remained unchanged since the time it was revealed. Allah Himself promised to protect it from any changes, and this promise has been fulfilled.
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder (Quran), and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
(Surah Al-Hijr 15:9)
From the moment it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the Quran was carefully memorized, written down, and passed down through generations without any alterations.
Millions of people around the world have memorized the entire Quran word for word, ensuring that it remains exactly as it was revealed. Even today, if all the written copies of the Quran were lost, it could be rewritten perfectly by those who have memorized it. This is a unique miracle, as no other book in history has been preserved in such a way.
Its Role as a Complete Guidance for Mankind
The Quran is not just a book of worship; it is a complete way of life. It provides guidance on every aspect of life, including faith, morality, family, justice, and kindness. The Quran teaches people how to have a strong connection with Allah, how to treat others with respect, and how to live a life filled with peace and goodness.
“And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.”
(Surah An-Nahl 16:89)
Unlike the earlier books, which were meant for specific nations and times, the Quran is a universal message for all people, no matter where they live or when they were born.
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107)
It speaks to every human being and provides solutions for every problem. Whether someone is rich or poor, young or old, the Quran has wisdom that helps them lead a better life.
Differences Between the Quran and Previous Scriptures
One of the biggest differences between the Quran and the previous holy books in Islam is that the earlier books were changed over time. People added and removed parts, which made them lose their original messages.
“So woe to those who write the ‘scripture’ with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ to exchange it for a small price.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:79)
Because of this, the teachings of those books are no longer in their pure form. The Quran, however, has remained exactly the same as when it was revealed. It confirms the messages of the earlier books but also corrects the changes that were made to them.
“And We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and as a guardian over it…”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48)
It is the final guidance that cannot be altered. Another major difference is that the previous books were sent to specific groups of people, while the Quran was sent for all of humanity until the end of time.
How Earlier Books Were Changed Over Time
Islam teaches that Allah sent many holy books to guide people, but the earlier books were not preserved in their original form. Over time, people made changes to these scriptures by adding, removing, or modifying parts of the message. Some changes happened by mistake, while others were done on purpose to suit personal interests or beliefs.
“So woe to those who write the ‘Scripture’ with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:79)
Because of these changes, the original words of Allah were lost, and the messages became unclear or incomplete. The Tawrat (Torah), revealed to Prophet Musa (AS), was meant to guide the people of Israel, but over the years, its original teachings were altered. The Zabur (Psalms), given to Prophet Dawud (AS), was also changed, and many parts of it were lost. The Injeel (Gospel), sent to Prophet Isa (AS), was originally a pure message from Allah, but it too was rewritten by people, and different versions appeared over time.
“Indeed, among them is a group who distort the Book with their tongues so you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book. And they say, ‘This is from Allah,’ but it is not from Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they know.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:78)
Because of these changes, the true guidance that Allah had sent through these books no longer remained in its pure form. As a result, people became confused about what was right and wrong. They started following teachings that were not originally from Allah, leading them away from the correct path.
The Quran’s Confirmation and Correction of Previous Messages
To ensure that the truth was not lost forever, Allah sent the Quran as the final and complete book of guidance.
“And We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and as a guardian over it.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48)
Unlike the previous books, the Quran was protected by Allah Himself, so no one could change its words.
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder (Quran), and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
(Surah Al-Hijr 15:9)
It remains exactly as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) more than 1400 years ago. The Quran confirms that the earlier books were originally sent by Allah, but it also corrects the changes that people made. It brings back the pure teachings that were lost and clears up any misunderstandings.
For example, the Quran teaches that all prophets, including Musa (AS), Dawud (AS), and Isa (AS), were sent with the message of worshiping one God—Allah.
“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false gods).’”
(Surah An-Nahl 16:36)
It also explains that Isa (AS) was a prophet and not the son of God, correcting the beliefs that were later added to the Injeel.
“The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him… So believe in Allah and His messengers and do not say, ‘Three.’ Cease! It is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but One God. Exalted is He above having a son.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:171)
Importance of Accepting All Revealed Scriptures
Believing in all the holy books in Islam is an essential part of faith. A Muslim cannot have complete Iman (faith) without accepting that Allah sent different scriptures to guide people throughout history. These books were revealed to various prophets at different times to help people understand the truth, worship Allah correctly, and live righteous lives.
The Quran teaches that all these books came from Allah and that they were meant to guide the nations they were sent to. The Tawrat (Torah) was sent to Musa (AS), the Zabur (Psalms) to Dawud (AS), the Injeel (Gospel) to Isa (AS), and the Suhuf (Scrolls) to Ibrahim (AS) and Musa (AS). Finally, the Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as the last and final revelation.
Even though the earlier books were changed over time, Muslims still respect them as part of Allah’s guidance. Accepting them is a way of recognizing that Allah has always guided humanity and that His message has remained consistent throughout history.
The Islamic Perspective on Previous Books in Their Original Forms
Islam teaches that the previous scriptures were originally pure and contained Allah’s true words. When they were first revealed, they provided correct guidance, and the people of that time were required to follow them. However, over time, these books were altered by humans, causing parts of their true message to be lost or misunderstood.
The Quran is the only holy book in Islam that remains in its original form, free from any changes. While Muslims do not follow the previous books today, they believe that in their original form, they were true messages from Allah. The Quran confirms what was originally revealed in those books but also corrects the mistakes and misunderstandings that developed over time.
Believing in all the holy books in Islam reminds Muslims that Allah has always guided people and that His final and complete guidance is found in the Quran. It strengthens faith, deepens understanding, and helps Muslims appreciate the importance of divine revelations in leading people to the right path.
How These Books Guide Moral and Spiritual Life
The holy books in Islam are not just historical texts; they provide guidance on how to live a righteous and meaningful life. From the earliest scriptures to the final revelation, all of these books were sent by Allah to help people understand the difference between right and wrong. They teach values such as honesty, kindness, patience, and justice, which are essential for building a good character and a strong connection with Allah.
The previous scriptures, like the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injeel, guided different communities in their time. Even though those books were later changed by people, their original messages contained lessons about worship, compassion, and faith in Allah. The Quran, being the final and unaltered book, brings together all of Allah’s teachings in their purest form. It encourages Muslims to be truthful, help the poor, respect parents, and treat others with fairness.
By following the guidance found in the Quran, a Muslim can develop a strong moral character and a deep spiritual connection with Allah. The teachings in this book provide peace to the heart and help believers stay firm in their faith.
The Impact of the Quran on Daily Living and Decision-Making
The Quran is not just a book to be read; it is a way of life. It provides answers to life’s important questions and helps Muslims make the right choices every day. Whether a person is facing a problem at home, school, or work, the Quran offers wisdom and solutions. It teaches patience in difficult times, gratitude for blessings, and courage to stand for the truth.
Muslims turn to the Quran for guidance in all aspects of life. It helps in making decisions about family, friendships, work, and even personal struggles. When someone is feeling sad, the Quran reminds them that Allah is always near. When someone is confused, it gives them clear direction. Its teachings shape a Muslim’s thoughts, actions, and goals, ensuring that they live in a way that pleases Allah.
The holy books in Islam have always played an important role in guiding people. But since the previous scriptures were changed over time, the Quran now stands as the complete and final message from Allah. By reading, understanding, and following its teachings, a Muslim can live a life full of purpose, peace, and righteousness.
Final Thoughts
Belief in all the holy books revealed by Allah is a vital part of Islamic faith and reflects the consistent message of guidance sent through His chosen prophets. From the scrolls of Ibrahim (AS) and Musa (AS) to the Tawrat, Zabur, Injeel, and finally the Quran, each scripture carried divine wisdom suited for its time.
While the earlier books were later altered, Muslims still honor them as part of Allah’s revelations, recognizing their original truth. The Quran, however, remains preserved and serves as the final and complete guidance for all of humanity.
By understanding and respecting the role of all these scriptures, Muslims strengthen their connection with Allah and embrace the unity and continuity of His message throughout history.
