The Belief in the Kutub

Kutub is the plural of Kitab which means Maktoob (written). The (legal) meaning that is intended in this chapter is: The books which Allah has sent down unto His Messengers as a mercy and guidance to mankind so that they may utilize to achieve their happiness in this life and in the hereafter.

The Belief in the Books Includes 4 Matters:

First: To believe that the descent of the books is truly from Allah.

Second: To believe in the books whose names we know, each according to its name, like Al-Qur’aan which was sent down unto Muhammad (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), At-Tawraat which was revealed to Moosaa (alayhis-salaam), the Injeel which was brought down to ‘Eesaa (alayhis-salaam), and Az-Zaboor which was given to Daawood (alayhis-salaam). As to those books which we don’t know their names, we believe in them on the whole.

Third: To attest to their authentic information like the news told in the Qur’aan and (or) in the old scriptures as long as they are not altered or changed.

Fourth: Acting upon its un-abrogated statutes, accepting and submitting to them whether we realize the wisdom behind them or we don’t. All of the old scriptures are abrogated by the great Qur’aan. Allah (Ta’aalaa) said: “And We have sent down to you the book in truth confirming the scripture that came before it and Muhayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old scriptures).” [1] [Qur’aan 5:48]

The Qur’aan, therefore, is a judge over all the old scriptures and accordingly it is forbidden to act upon any of the statutes of the old scriptures except what is authentic and acknowledged by the Qur’aan.

The Belief in the Books Yields Great Benefits, Including:

First: Acknowledging Allah's concern for His creation whereby He sent to every nation a book to guide through it.

Second: To recognize the wisdom of Allah in His Shar’a (judicial laws) whereby He legislated for each nation what suits its conditions, as Allah (Ta’aalaa) said: “To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way.” [Qur’aan 5:58]

Third: To be grateful for Allah's favor of sending down His books of revelation.

Footnotes:

[1] Muhayminan: Testifies the truth that is therein and falsifies the falsehood that is added therein.

Taken from Explaining The Fundamentals of Faith by Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen translated by Dr. Saalih as-Saalih