The Foundations And Concepts of Islam

Benefits of belief in angels

1.               It purifies the belief of the Muslim from stains of polytheism; for when a Muslim believes in the existence of angels whom Allaah assigns with these great functions, he will be free from belief in the existence of imaginary creatures that some people claim have a share in the running of the affairs of the universe.

2.               It lets the Muslims know that, the angels neither benefit nor harm, but that they are honoured slaves, who disobey not Allaah when He commands them but rather do what they are commanded. He will not worship them, nor direct his affairs to them or depend on them.

Three: Belief in the Books

To believe that Allaah revealed Books to his Prophets and Messengers, in order to explain the truth and call to it. Allaah 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.”[242]

These Books are many. Among them are the Scripture of Prophet Ibraaheem, the Torah of Prophet Moosaa, the Psalms given to Prophet David and the Gospel which was brought by Prophet Jesus Christ, may peace be upon all of them.

Belief in the Previous Books lies in believing that it is Allaah Who revealed them to His Messengers and that they contained the Law that Allaah wanted to be conveyed to people at that time.

All these Books that Allaah informs us about have all become extinct. The scripture of Abraham is no longer existing in the world. As for the Torah, the Gospel and the Psalms, even though they do exist by name in the hands of Jews and Christians, they have become altered, interpolated and adulterated and many of their original contents are missing. That which are not part of them have been included in them, and they are attributed to those who are not their authors. The old testament for instance, has more than forty books, and only five of them were attributed to Moses. As for the existing gospels of today, nothing of them is attributed to Jesus. The last Book revealed by Allaah is the Qur’aan which was revealed to Prophe Muhammad. It has always been and still is protected and preserved by Allaah. No change or alteration has crept into any of its letters, words, vowels or meanings.

The Qur’aan is different from all previous Books in many ways:

1.               The past Books have been lost; changes and interpolations have crept into them; they have been attributed to those who are not their rightful owners; many commentaries and exegesis have been added to them and they contain many things that contradict Divine Revelation, the reason and nature. As for the Qur’aan, it is still being protected by Allaah, with its letters and words in which Allaah revealed them to Muhammad. No alteration nor addition has crept into it; for Muslims have been eager to let the Qur’aan remain free from all defects. They do not mix it with anything from the Prophet’s life history, or the history of his companions or commentaries of the Qur’aan or rules pertaining to acts of worship and human relations.