Basics of Religious Education — Page 7
7 7 7 7 7 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION ♦ The Chief Angel Izra’eel controls the phenomenon of death. There are other angels who: ♦ keep record of people’s deeds ♦ control the maintenance of the universe ♦ control the operation of the laws of nature ♦ glorify Allah with His praise. In short, according to Islam, the operation and maintenance of the whole Universe, including our world, is maintained and controlled by Allah through His angels. The Message of guidance from Allah conveyed to mankind, through His prophets, from time to time, is called the ‘Books of Allah’. Not only do the Muslims believe in the Holy Qur’an but also in the ‘Books of Allah’ given to other Prophets. The Qur’an makes reference to five re- vealed Books including the Qur’an itself. These are as follows: 1) Suhuf (Scrolls): given to prophet Abraham as (87:20) 2) Taurat (Torah): given to prophet Moses as (3:4,5:45) 3) Zaboor (Psalms): given to prophet David as (4:164) 4) Injeel (Gospel): given to prophet Jesus Christ as (5:47) 5) Qur’an : given to prophet Muhammad sa (6:20) There is, however, a note of caution: All revealed Books except the Holy Qur’an were partly changed by their followers and are not preserved in their original form. As such, the belief of the Muslims in the ‘Books of Allah’ refers solely to the ‘original guidance’ received by their prophets, and not to the present- day version of these Books. The text of the Holy Qur’an, however has always remained unchanged and preserved in its original form. Islam claims that the teachings of the Qur’an are complete, perfect and eternal. These teachings are fully capable of guiding mankind in all ages. (Also, see Part 3) 1. 2 1. 2 1. 2 1. 2 1. 2 I I I I I S L A M S L A M S L A M S L A M S L A M — S — S — S — S — S ET ET ET ET ET O F O F O F O F O F B B B B B ELIEFS ELIEFS ELIEFS ELIEFS ELIEFS Belief in the Books of Allah