God has shown concern for mankind ever since creation. He gave his guidance to Adam first. Later God gave it to mankind through his prophets, such as Enoch (Idrīs), Noah (Nūḥ), Abraham (Ibrāhīm), Job (Ayyūb), and Moses (Mūsā). Beginning with His prophet Moses, God inspired books, which are still available in our day. God wanted all mankind to be instructed by Him and to find happiness in following His guidance.
Concerning the obligation to exercise faith in these books, the Qur’ān emphasizes: “Each one (of them) [the men of faith] believeth in God, His angels, His books, and His apostles.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:285) The Qur’ān also speaks about the faithful “who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:4) But what is meant by “the Revelation . . . sent before thy time”?
The Holy Scriptures are God’s books. They preceded the Qur’ān, which mentions them often and emphasizes that they contain God’s guidance. We read at Āl ‘Imrān [3]:3, 4, NJD: “He has revealed to you the Book with the truth, confirming the scriptures which preceded it; for He has already revealed the Torah and the Gospel [Injīl in Arabic] for the guidance of men.” (See also Al-Mā’idah [5]:46, 47.) And we find at Al-Nisā’ [4]:163: “To David We gave the Psalms.” The Qur’ān also encourages going back to these books: “If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee.”—Yūnus [10]:94.
What does it mean to exercise faith in God’s books? Surely, it signifies more than acknowledging their
existence. True faith would include reading them, knowing their contents, and applying what they say. When we receive letters from loved ones, we are eager to read them. We are naturally more interested in the letters and in the one who sent them than in the person who delivered them. How much more so when God sends letters through his messengers. We should be eager to have these letters, read them, and receive guidance from him. Although we respect God’s messengers, our prime concern is to listen to him and to obey him. We should follow his books and make no distinction between one and another of his prophets.
God, as the Preserver and the Guardian of his books, has made them available for us today. No one can ever succeed in either eliminating or altering God’s Word. This is because they are God’s books, not man’s. God has given them to us so that we may be guided to the straight path. You will be deeply moved as you discover the message they contain.
Do you think that everyone who claims to believe in God applies what is written in His books? Many Jews and Christians say they believe in him, but do their deeds show that they stick to his books? We should not judge the Holy Scriptures in the light of those who claim to follow them. Many have deviated from the true faith and have removed themselves from under God’s guidance.—Compare Titus 1:14, 16.
Do you desire to quench your thirst for the knowledge of God? Then you should be eager to know the answers to such important questions as these: What was God’s purpose in creating man? Where did God place him? What is the cause of all human distress? What solution has God provided so that we may live happily, according to our normal desires? As you consider these questions, search for and follow God’s guidance, and you can be sure that he will satisfy the desires of your heart.
What Can The Bible Teach Us?:
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-study/