Books (Kutub)

Question 1

How are books (Kutub) significant to Islam?

Answer 1

• God needed to provide advice and guidance to help people act in the correct way
• the Word of God provides instructions on how they should live

Question 2

Examples of the Word of God

Answer 2

• The Tawrat (Torah) of Musa: contains God’s revelation to Moses
• the Zabur (Psalms) of Dawud: contains God’s revelation to David
• the Injil (Gospel) of Isa: contains God’s revelation to Jesus
• Scrolls of Abraham: contain God’s revelation to Abraham

Question 3

Why do Muslims believe that only the Qur’an is the true Word of God?

Answer 3

• Allah’s message and written texts became distorted over time, so no longer entirely, or accurately true Word of god
• To make a record of His Word of God, it could not be distorted
• Allah gave his final revelation, and Muhammad simply recited the words (without changing anything)
• Qur’an is only the true Word when in Arabic (any translation is only meaning/interpretation)

Question 4

How do Muslims treat the Qur’an

Answer 4

• Most important thing in Islam
• Utmost respect
• Qur’an contains guidance on what Muslims should believe / how they live their lives
• To be a good Muslim they must live by these rules

Question 5

Divergence between Sunni and Shi’a on the nature of the Qur’an

Answer 5

• Sunni believe Qur’an has always been in existence, though not in written form and is eternal like God
• Shi’a Muslims don’t believe Qur’an is eternal and instead it is the essence of God
• Also believe Imams can add to it and interpret its message

Question 6

Other sources of authority (not Qur’an) and why?

Answer 6

• Qur’an is difficult to interpret + doesn’t cover modern issues
  Examples:
• the fatwas (rulings of Islamic scholars, the Ulema)
• life of Muhammad
• Shari’ah law
• Sunna of the Prophet
• Hadith of the Prophet
• Muslim lawyers / scholars / Imams

Question 7

How is Shari’ah law a source of authority?

Answer 7

• Qur’an (final/undistorted Word of God) forms basis of Islamic law
• Governs how Muslims should behave
• Look at other sources such as the life of Muhammad, Sunna and the Hadith

Question 8

How is the Sunna of the Prophet a source of authority?

Answer 8

• Contains records on what Muhammad did

Question 9

How is the Hadith of the Prophet a source of authority?

Answer 9

• Contains information on what Muhammad said

Question 10

How is the life of Muhammad a source of authority?

Answer 10

• Muhammad is the “perfect example” for Muslims on how to live their lives

Question 11

Why is it important to consider Muslim lawyers and scholars as a source of authority?

Answer 11

• Sunna and Hadith, don’t cover all areas of behaviour (sometimes contradictory)
• Muslims need to take instructions set out in Qur’an, Hadith and Sunna and work out right thing to do in different situations

Question 12

Divergence in belief between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims on sources of authority

Answer 12

• Shi’a Muslims also refer to Hadith of Ali to help decision-making

Question 13

Quotes about Kutub

Answer 13

• “Recite in the name of your Lord who created” (Surah 96)
• “We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light” (Surah 5:46)
• “Indeed, We have revealed to you, as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him” (Surah 4:136)
• “You have made it into separate books for show, and you conceal much of its contents” (Surah 6: 91)

Question 14

Two types of authority in Islam

Answer 14

• Revealed authority (dictated, directly revealed word of Allah, Kalam of Allah)
• Inspired authority (human, but divinely inspired, Hadith)

Question 15

How is the Ulema a source of authority?

Answer 15

• Scholars able to apply Hadith when faced with moral question
• Muslim can consult Imam (mosque leader) if facing dilemma