8.3 Books, Their Contents and Purpose

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Main Content

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1. Introduction: The Third Article of Faith

Belief in the Books of Allah SWT is the third important article of faith in Islam. Every Muslim must firmly and sincerely believe that Allah SWT revealed His Books to His Prophets AS. These Books contain the actual Speech of Allah SWT — revealed as clear guidance and truth for all of mankind.

Believing in the Books of Allah SWT means:

• Accepting with complete certainty that these Books were truly sent down from Allah SWT
• Believing specifically in every Book whose name Allah SWT has mentioned in the Holy Quran
• Not only following the laws and teachings of the Holy Quran but being sincerely pleased with them — even if we do not fully understand the wisdom behind every ruling

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2. How Did Allah SWT Communicate with His Prophets AS?

The process through which Allah SWT sends His message to His Prophets AS is called Revelation. It is a special, spiritual communication that happens only between Allah SWT and His chosen Prophets AS.

Allah SWT communicated with His Prophets AS in three ways:

• Through direct inspiration — placing knowledge directly into the heart of the Prophet AS
• From behind a veil — speaking without the Prophet AS seeing Him
• Through the Archangel Jibreel AS — who carried the message from Allah SWT to the Prophet AS

Reference: Surah Ash-Shura 42:51

Verse: "It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil or by sending a Messenger to reveal with Allah's permission what Allah wills ...."

Context: This verse explains the different channels through which Allah SWT communicates His will to His Prophets AS. It makes clear that revelation is a divinely controlled and special process — not something that can happen on its own or be invented by human beings.