Dear brother,
I was reading your article on Prophets & Messengers accroding to Quran.
http://quransmessage.com/articles/end%20of%20prophethood%20FM3.htm Quranic context is quite definitive that Prophets are bearer of scripture. But what about 57:25 where its mentioned that book is sent down with the messenger(waanzalna
maAAahumu alkitaba) in sam()e way as mentioned in 2:213 for prophets(waanzala
maAAahumu alkitaba)?
2:213 The people used to be one nation, then God sent the prophets as bearers of good news and as warners, and
He sent down with them the book with the facts so that they may judge between the people in what they were disputing. But after receiving the proof, the people disputed in it due to animosity between them. God guided those who acknowledged with His permission regarding what they disputed in of the truth. God guides whoever/whomever (He) wishes to a straight path.
57:25 We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and
We sent down with them the book and the balance, that the people may uphold justice. We sent down the iron, wherein there is great strength, and many benefits for the people. So that God would distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers on acknowledgement. God is Powerful, Noble.
Though from both of the verses above it dosent mention new/old scripture , simply mentions the book is send down with prophet (2:213) and messenger (57:27) .
But it seems that the meaning of the word مَعَهُمُ
maAAahumu could be with/ together with/ for them.
I have noticed some translation used through them and To them.
For example Mohammad Asad used Through them in both verses
2:213 (Asad) ALL MANKIND were once one single community; [then they began to differ - ] whereupon God raised up the prophets as heralds of glad tidings and as warners, and
through them bestowed revelation from on high, setting forth the truth, so that it might decide between people with regard to all on which they had come to hold divergent views. [197] Yet none other than the selfsame people who had been granted this [revelation] began, out of mutual jealousy, to disagree about its meaning after all evidence of the truth had come unto them. But God guided the believers unto the truth about which, by His leave, they had disagreed: for God guides onto a straight way him that wills [to be guided]. [198]
57:25 (Asad) Indeed, [even aforetime] did We send forth Our apostles with all evidence of [this] truth; and
through them [41] We bestowed revelation from on high, and [thus gave you] a balance [wherewith to weigh right and wrong], so that men might behave with equity; and We bestowed [upon you] from on high [the ability to make use of] iron, in which there is awesome power as well as [a source of] benefits for man: [42] and [all this was given to you] so that God might mark out those who would stand up for him and His Apostle, [43] even though He [Himself] is beyond the reach of human perception. [44] Verily, God is powerful, almighty!
Rashad Khalifa used "with them" in 2:213 and "to them" in 57:25
2:213 The people used to be one community when GOD sent the prophets as bearers of good news, as well as warners. He sent down
with them the scripture, bearing the truth, to judge among the people in their disputes. Ironically, those who received the scripture were the ones who rejected any new scripture, despite clear proofs given to them. This is due to jealousy on their part. GOD guides those who believe to the truth that is disputed by all others, in accordance with His will. GOD guides whoever wills in a straight path.
57:25 We sent our messengers supported by clear proofs, and we sent down
to them the scripture and the law, that the people may uphold justice. And we sent down the iron, wherein there is strength, and many benefits for the people. All this in order for GOD to distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers, on faith. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.
However irrespective of the form of preposition used its not clear if new scripture is sent to prophets and messengers are assigned the previous scripture to use for their preaching.
The only difference I can see is that scripture/book is sent down with prophets to judge between people in 2:213 whereas scripture/book and balance(almeezana) is sent down with messengers so that people may upholod justice/observer right measure/ behave with equity
(alnnasu bialqisti).
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I think translating
maAAahumu as "with them" is not appropriate as for the case of prophet a new scripture is sent down after prophethood. So the person is already born and then granted the prophethood and scripture some time in his life ( Prophet Muhammad received at the age of 40).
And in case of Messenger if the messenger is not a prophet have to use the existing books sent down to earlier prophet ( old scripture).
In both cases if we use "for them" then sending down both old or new scripture/book to prophet or messenger could be understood contexually.
In 57:25 it is also mentioned that Iron was sent down where there are lots of usage for mankind. If we consider Iron is sent down for humand being then definately it didnt come to earth after life started in this planet. Iron is formed during formation of planet from space . I think the only verse mention sending down of iron for mankind just with sending down books for messenger is to clarify that not necessarily the book was sent down after the messenger was born , that means already existing book received by earlier prophet.
Please let me know your thought about the similarity or difference between the verses 2:213 and 57:25 .
Peace
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