What would be the correct interpretation of 5:66 & 5:68? - For Joseph Islam

[maverick83pk]

Dear Joseph Abraham Islam,

Please help me im a bit confused! Traditionalists say that Quran gives hints of extra-scriptural revelations to previous nations (ahl-e-kitab) and how it was necessary for ahl-e-kitab to believe in them also, and hence, by analogical deductions they say that extra-scriptural revelations (ahadees) apart from Quran are to be believed in by Muslims as well. They give reference of the following two verses:

"If they had upheld the Torah, the Injeel, and what was sent down to them from their Lord, they would have been rewarded from above them and below their feet. From among them is a pious nation, but many of them commit evil." Quran 5:66

and

"Say, "O people of the book, you are not upon anything until you uphold the Torah and the Injeel and what was sent down to you from your Lord." For many of them, what was sent down to you from your Lord will only increase them in transgression and rejection. So do not feel sorry for the ingrates." Quran 5:68

They claim that apart from Injeel and Torah, other revelations (most probably wahi-e-khafi) were also to be believed in by the previous nations, therefore, Muslims also have to believe in wahi-e-khafi (ahadees) of their Prophet Muhammad pbuh.

What is your take on the matter? and what is the correct interpretation or translation of the verse keeping in mind the grammar and linguistics of arabic as well.

I am anxiously waiting for your reply, may Allah reward you immensly.

Thanks & Best of Regards,

Nabil Arshad Farooqi

[Joseph Islam]

Wa alaikum assalam brother Nabil,

The Books given to Moses (Torah) or the Injeel to Prophet Jesus were not the only inspirations / Books given to the People of the Book. They also received Books / revelations / inspirations from other prophets too (Tanakh). Please see verse 2:136 below:

002:136 (part)           
"Say: We believe in God and that which had been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was given to Moses and Jesus, and that which was given to the prophets from their Lord…”

Certainly, the Hebrew Tanakh and the People of the Book are familiar with the 'Book of Job' (Ketuvim). The Psalms (Zaboor) of David is another Book / revelation given to another prophet. There are many others. The People of the Book are familiar with these and even today, form part of the Old Testament.

These are not 'extra scriptural'. Rather, they are 'Scripture' and are read as scripture even today.

Regards,
Joseph

[maverick83pk]

Dear JAI,

Thanks a lot, May Allah swt reward you immensely for your time and efforts in explaining things to slow-graspers like me

Regards,

Nabil Arshad Farooqi