Belief in the Books of Allah (swt).

Belief in the Books of Allah

One must believe that Allah revealed Heavenly Books to His Messengers in order to convey them to mankind. These Books during their times contained nothing but the truth. All these Books call people to worship Allah alone, and that He is the Creator, Proprietor and Owner, and to Him belong the beautiful Attributes and Names. Allah says:

"Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice." (57:25)

Some of the Books are:

1. The Scriptures of Ibraheem (Abraham) and Musa (Moses): The Qur'an has given a brief insight about the religious fundamentals found in these scriptures. Allah says:
   "Or, has he not been informed of what is in the scriptures of Musa? -And (of) Ibraheem who fulfilled (the commandments): That no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another;- And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for;- And that his striving shall soon be seen; Then shall be rewarded for it with the fullest reward; and that to your Lord is the goal." (53:36-42)
2. The Torah: The Torah is the Sacred Book which was revealed to Musa («may god exalt their mention»). Allah says:
   "Verily, We did send down the Torah [to Musa], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah’s Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged the Jews by the Torah after those Prophets] for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book, and they were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not men but fear Me (O Jews) and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the disbelievers." (5:44)
3. The Zaboor (Psalms): The Zaboor is the Book which was revealed to Dawood (David). Allah says:
   "…and to Dawood We gave the Zaboor." (4:163)
4. The Injeel (Gospel) : The Injeel is the Book which was revealed to ‘Eesaa («may god exalt their mention») (Jesus). Allah says:
   "And in their footsteps, We sent ‘Eesaa, son of Maryam (Mary), confirming the Torah that had come before him. And We gave him the Injeel, in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Tauraat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for the Allah-fearing." (5:46)
   A Muslim must believe in all the Heavenly Books and he must believe that they are from Allah. It is not lawful for him to abide by its laws, since these Books were revealed to certain nations at certain times.
   The Qur'an has explained some of what was found in the Torah and the Injeel; such as the prophecy of Muhammad (peace be upon him):
   "…and My mercy encompasses all things; so I will ordain it (specially) for those who are pious and give Zakah (Obligatory Charity), and those who believe in Our Ayaat. Those who follow the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Injeel (who) enjoins them good and forbids them evil, and makes lawful to them the good things and makes unlawful to them impure things, and removes from the their burden and the shackles which were upon them; so (as for) those who believe in him and honor him and help him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him, these it is that are the successful." (7:156)
5. The Noble Qur'an: One must hold the following beliefs concerning it:
   a. One must believe that the Qur'an is the Speech of Allah which Jibreel (Gabriel) brought to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in clear Arabic language. Allah says:
   "Which the trustworthy Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] has brought down; * Upon your heart (O Muhammad «peace be upon him») that you may be (one) of the warners, * In a plain Arabic language." (26:193-195)
   b. One must believe that the Qur'an is the last of the Heavenly Books, which confirms the previous Books concerning the Message of Tawheed and the obligation to worship and obey Him. All previous Books were abrogated by the Qur'an. Allah says:
   "[It is] He Who has sent down the Book (the Qur'an) to you (Muhammad «peace be upon him») with truth, confirming what came before it. And he sent down the Torah and the Injeel. Aforetime, as a guidance to mankind, And He sent down the Furqaan (The Criterion) [of judgment between right and wrong (this Qur'an)]." (3:3-4)
   c. One must believe that the Qur'an contains all divine laws. Allah says:
   "This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as a religion." (5:3)
   d. One must believe that it was revealed to mankind at large; not to a specific nation, as were previously revealed Heavenly Books. Allah says:
   "And We have not sent you [O Muhammad «peace be upon him»] except to all of humanity, as a giver of glad tidings and a warner, but most people know not." (34:28)
   e. One must believe that Allah has preserved the Qur'an from all distortions, adulterations, additions, or impairments. Allah says:
   "Indeed it is We ourselves Who have sent down the Remembrance (the Qur'an) and surely, it is We Who shall guard it [from distortion]." (15:9)

The Merits of Belief in Allah’s Books

1. One would realize the mercy and love Allah has for His slaves; since He revealed to them Books which guide them to the path which leads to His pleasure. He safeguarded man from confusion and from the evil of Shaytaan .
2. One would realize the great wisdom of Allah; since He gave each nation a set of laws that suited them during their times.
3. To distinguish true believers from those who are not. It is incumbent upon one who believes in his own Book to believe in the other Heavenly Books.
4. To increase the good deeds of the believers; for the one who believes in his Book and the Books that came after his Book, would receive his reward twice. Allah says:

"Those to whom We gave the Scripture [i.e. the Torah and the Injeel, etc.] before it, - they believe in it (the Qur'an). And when it is recited to them, they say: ‘We believe in it. Verily, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed even before it we have been from those who submit themselves to Allah in Islam as Muslims (like ‘Abdullah bin Salaam and Salmaan Al-Faarisi, etc.). These will be given their reward twice over, because they are patient, and repel evil with good, and spend (in charity) out of what We have provided them." (28:52-54)

http://www.1ststepsinislam.com/en/belief-in-books.aspx