230503 - Are there only two divine books?

Peace.

The argument for two divine books

via Kayvon

Note..., the plural books. The assertion is the plural books refers to two books. The first mention of book refers to the Quran, and the other book...? The one that came before.

[4:136] O you who believe; believe in God and His messenger, and the Book which was sent down to His messenger, and the Book which was sent before.

And whoever rejects Allah, and His angels, and His Books, and His messengers, and the Last Day; then he has strayed a far straying.

• The Quran
• Which is the other book?
  • See [6:154]

[6:154] Then We gave Moses the Book, to complete for those who do right, and to fully detail all things, and

a guide and
mercy

that they may believe in the meeting of their Lord.

Moses' book details everything.

Now see [12:111]

[12:111] In their stories is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. It is not a narrative that has been invented, but to affirm what is between his hands and a detailing of all things, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.

• The Quran and this other Kitab given to Moses have this detailing of all things feature.

In other words, there are two kitabs. One for sure is the Quran.

The other came before, and it came with Moses.

Detail of all things feature is only common between the Quran and what was given to Moses.

So [28:48] says...

[28:48] But when the truth came to them from Us, they said: "If only he was given the same that was given to Moses!" Had they not rejected what was given to Moses before? They had said: "Two magicians assisting one another." And they said: "We reject all these things."

[28:49] Say: "Then bring forth a book from God that is better than both of them in guidance so I may follow it, if you are truthful."

They're comparing two things. The Quran (what was given to Mohammad), and this other kitab, that was given to Moses.

Salaam.

Feedback on the argument

Later we had a discussion on Clubhouse, and this was feedback I received on the argument from Farouk.

Feedback for Kayvon from Farouk

[2:213] The people used to be one nation, then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of good news and warners,

and He sent down with them the Book with the truth so that they may judge between the people in what they were disputing.

But after receiving the clarity, the people disputed in it due to animosity between them. And God guided those who believed with His permission regarding what they disputed in of the truth. And God guides whoever He wishes to a straight path.

• Al kitab (book) is singular
• The nabiyeen (prophets) is plural
• So prophet Jesus also received a book, for example
  • That was Farouk's point

That is, the prophets were given the Al'kitab.

Two forms of tanzeel

[4:136] O you who believe; believe in Allah and His messenger, and the Book which was sent down to His messenger, and the Book which was sent before. And whoever rejects Allah, and His angels, and His Books, and His messengers, and the Last Day; then he has strayed a far straying.

• There's a distinction between the two sent phrases
  • Caused to be sent down (nazzala) - revealed
  • Sent before (anzala) - "revealed", but more accurately according to Farouk, brought forth its meaning
  • One time sending..., like the rain

See [5:48], the difference between nazzala and anzala is: the descent of revelation of meaning to us.

• Nazzala is the bringing of the book
• We are given Anzala - inspiration

[5:48] And We have anzalna (sent down) to you the Book with the truth, affirming what is between your hands of the Book and superseding it. So judge between them by what God has anzala (sent down), and do not follow their desires from what has come to you of the truth.

For each of you We have made decrees, and a structure; and if God had willed, He would have made you all one nation, but He tests you with what He has given you; so race to do good. To God you will return all of you, and He will inform you regarding that in which you dispute.

Also,

Reiterating, Jesus was given a book according to [6:85] to [6:89]

[6:84] And We granted him Isaac and Jacob, both of whom We guided; and Noah We guided from before; and from his progeny is David, and Solomon, and Job, and Joseph, and Moses, and Aaron. It is such that We recompense the good doers.

[6:85] And Zechariah and John, and Jesus, and Elias; all were from the upright.

[6:86] And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot; and each We have preferred over the worlds.

[6:87] And from their fathers and their progeny and their brothers We have also chosen; and We guided them to a straight path.

[6:88] Such is the guidance of God, He guides with it whom He pleases of His servants. And if they set up partners, then all that they had worked would fall away from them.

[6:89] Those to whom We have given the Book, and the judgement, and the prophethood, if they reject it, then We will entrust it to a people who will not reject it.

Also see [41:43]

[41:43] What is being said to you is the same that was said to the messengers before you. Your Lord has forgiveness, and He has a painful retribution.

The philosophy is always the same. All the prophets received the "same" thing.

And in 98:1, 98:2 and 98:3

[98:1] Those who rejected among the people of the Book and the polytheists would not leave until a proof came to them.

• The coming of the clarification

[98:2] A messenger from God reciting purified scripts.

• Reciting purified pages

[98:3] In them are valuable books.

• In these purified pages are kutub... books.

So in 4:136, the kutub or books there are from the same Al'kitab.

Previously: 230427 - There are only two divine books