Hi Vpb:
Thank you for your post. Please know that we are both looking at the same thing but from different perspectives. You have provided some useful information which I very much appreciate. By providing information, we can see each other’s perspectives a little clearer. If we simply responded by saying “I do not agree”, then there is no opportunity to improve one’s understanding.
The Qu’ran says to believe the scriptures that came before. Since you believe that the scriptures are no longer available, you have reconciled this belief with what the Qu’ran has stated by interpreting the Qu’ran to say “believe that Allah sent Scriptures before”.
The problem is that the Qu’ran does not say this. It says that you must believe the scriptures them selves. Which means that you must read or hear them?
But how can this be if the scriptures sent before are no longer available? That is the problem. That is the issue that you should be trying to resolve rather than inventing something that the Qu’ran simply does not say. It is easy to misinterpret a verse to avoid dealing with the consequences of following it.
There has been sufficient evidence provided in this thread to confirm that Mohammed saw the scriptures that were sent before. The evidence is irrefutable. For example.
1. Torah was available according to the Tafsir
(Bring here the Tawrah and recite it, if you are truthful.) So they brought the Tawrah and read from it until the reader reached the verse about stoning.
2. The Torah was available according to the Qu’ran
2. 7:91 - No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)" Say: "Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought?- a light and guidance to man: But ye make it into (separate) sheets for show, while ye conceal much (of its contents): therein were ye taught that which ye knew not- neither ye nor your fathers." Say: "Allah (sent it down)": Then leave them to plunge in vain discourse and trifling.
3. Mohammed accepted the validity of the Books sent before during his time
5:82 Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
5:66 - If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.
5:69 - Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
So some Jews and Christians who followed their scriptures during Mohammed’s time (600 AD), were on the right course. This concept is confirmed repeatedly in the Qu’ran and there is no evidence that Monks and Rabbis would have had any other scriptures to follow than what is contained in the Bible. The Codex Sinaiticus (330-350 AD) is on permanent display at the British Museum for all to see. The latest research suggests that it was one of the 50 Bibles commissioned by Constantine and it was written in Egypt. We know that the Bible is the most copied Book and even Mohammed came across persons with copies in their hands some 300 years later, probably copied from the same Codex Sinaiticus in Egypt.
We can argue about some of the books and the quality of copying until the Lord returns but we must always remember: The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;. (5:48)
Therefore your belief that the scriptures are not available is unsupported.
Now you raised a valid concern.
And simply we cannot follow bible, because many laws are different.
Does bible contains Surah Al-Fatiha which is required in the prayer?
Does bible contains the laws of performing wudu?
Does bible teaches the same concept of Aqeedah (beliefs) as Qur'an does?
Does bible teaches about the business laws that are taught in the Qur'an?
Does bible teaches about the laws of marriage in Islam (which are taught in Qur'an)??
Does bible teaches of obeying Muhammed saws as Qur'an does?
Does bible teaches the same concept about the angels and other creatures and their degrees/duties??
Does bible have the power of healing people spiritually?
Does bible teaches the same concept of Jesus a.s as Qur'an does?
We should not be afraid of such questions. If God is God and His word is correct, then we should not fear to give a response. We should certainly not hold an unsupported belief for this can mislead people.
As previously mentioned in this thread, the Qu’ran does not contain everything in the Bible, and the Bible does not contain everything in the Qu’ran. The Bible refers to information which appears to be unavailable, and the Qu’ran refers to the Books that came before. However, both books contain guidance that is beneficial for mankind.
So what are you instructed to do? You are instructed to believe (therefore read or listed and understand) scriptures sent before. As previously noted, it is irrefutable that such scriptures were available to Mohammed and that he sanctioned their use. This idea of them being unavailable is not supported by the Qu’ran.
If you read them, you will find that the things that you think are contradictions may not be so. We should have faith that God will not contradict Himself. The problem is that you neither read it yourselves, neither do you permit those who are willing to read it. Be very careful.
Regards,
Grenville
do we really have to go on this? it can be easily proved that bible today is just a derivation of the real book sent from Allah. but I would recommend u to study your own history of Christianity and the gospels, before asking me for evidence