Islam and Human Rights — Page 19
Man and the Universe 19 repeatedly that these ver sions have suffered grievously at the hands of some of those who profess to be their supporters (2:80). What the Quran affirms is the actual revelation vouchsafed to the previous Prophets. Thus: “Surely, We sent down the Torah wherein is guidance and light. By it did the Prophets, who were obedient to Us, judge for the Jews, as did the godly people and those learned in the Law” (5:45). And again: “And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their foot steps, fulfilling that which was revealed before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel which contained guid ance and light, fulfilling that which was revealed before that in the Torah as an admonition for the God- fearing” (5:47). The Gospel here means the revelation vouchsafed to Jesus, and not the books which are today commonly so described. Not only are today’s versions of previous revelations open to serious question on the score of authenticity of the text and accuracy of translation and interpretation, many of the details concerning commandments and ordinances and even doctrine, which were of a temporary or local character, are now out of date or inapplicable. Today’s doctrine is also in many cases based on subsequent interpretation and formulation which appear to have little connection with what was