As-Salamu-Alaykum
Welcome to the Al-Kitab Scripture Research Institute.
This is a place for Muslims to study “Al-Kitab” as it is defined in the Arabic Qur’an. This is done here in English since most Muslims worldwide do not know Arabic very well. “Al-Kitab” refers to the “Book” or “Scripture” (of God). For the believer of the Qur’an, “Al-Kitab” includes much more than the Qur’an itself.
O you who believe! Believe in Allah and his messenger, and Al-Kitab which he has sent to his messenger and Al-Kitab which he sent to those before. Any who denies Allah, his angels, his books, his messengers, and the day of judgment, has gone far, far astray. (Quran, Surah Al-Nisa’ 4:136)
In the above Qur’anic ayah, “Al-Kitab” signifies the following:
- the Taurat of Prophet Musa (or Law of Moses).
- “Al-Kitab which he sent to those before”. “Taurat” refers not only to the Book of Prophet Musa, but to the writings of all Hebrew prophets who came after him. By the 7th century CE when the Qur’an came, “Taurat” (or the Law) was commonly used to refer to what today is known as the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament.
- the Zabur of Prophet Dawud (i.e. the Psalms of David).
- The Book of Dawud is sometimes mentioned separately in the Qur’an due to its prominent place in the worship life of the 7th century Christian church. It was a famous book on its own and to this day is a comforting holy book for millions of people.
- the Injil of ‘Isa al-Masih (Gospel of Jesus Christ)
- This book is most commonly known today as the New Testament. The Injil contains 27 books within it. The first 4 books are also called Injils or Gospels. These 4 Injils work together to give a full account, just as 4 witnesses on 4 corners of an intersection give 4 complementary accounts of a car accident in the intersection.
- the Holy Qur’an might be referred to with the words “Al-Kitab which he has sent to his messenger”.
- Here you will be able to read for yourself all four of the “heavenly books” the Holy Qur’an repeatedly speaks of. Many Muslims know parts of the Qur’an by heart, but very few have knowledge of the books which came before. How can a person say they believe in the books of Allah, if they have never read and learned from them?
Here at Al-Kitab Scripture Research Institute you can learn more about the “4 heavenly books” through various articles, studies and quizzes. You can also examine the text of each book itself. When you click on “Read Al-Kitab” a new menu will appear to help you navigate and read the various sections of the holy books.
Our goal at Al-Kitab Scripture Research Institute is that you become familiar with the content of all the holy books. Our desire is that through the message contained therein, your understanding and worship of the one true God will be greatly enhanced. May you come to know His mercy, love and peace like never before.
Principal
Al-Kitab Scripture Research Institute