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Fatwa CenterJews and Muslims reading the Bible
Question
The Bible as well as the Qur'an teaches us to love our brothers as we love ourselves, how can we say we love God and hate our brothers, are we not our brothers keeper? Therefore, why is it the Jews and Muslims have been warring and unable to find a peaceable resolution to this conflict. Are we not reading the same Bible?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
After the Prophet Muhammad's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) Mission, the Holy Qur'an becomes the only Divine Book that can be relied on and authorized concerning knowledge of Halal and Haram, right and wrong. In addition, the Prophetic Sunnah helps to expand and present practical applications of the Holy Qur'an.
As for other previous Divine Books such as Torah and Injil (now old and new Testaments), contents of such books (rulings, beliefs, orders and so on) could be in three states:
1) Rulings, beliefs, orders and so on of contents of those books that are approved by the Qur'an. Such a state is right and it could be followed, since the Holy Qur'an attests to its rightness.
2) Rulings, beliefs, orders and so on that are denied by the Qur'an. Such a state is Haram and it should not be followed, since it is a form of distortion and alteration done by those who claim to be followers of such a book.
3) Rulings, beliefs, orders and so on of things mentioned in these books that are not approved nor denied by the Qur'an. Also, in such a state we should not follow those rulings and so, since they might be right or wrong.
Here, as Muslims, if something is right in other Books but Allah has not ordered us to do in the Qur'an nor it is mentioned in the Sunnah, then it means that such a thing is abrogated as Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Qur'ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). …} [5: 48].
Thus, we do not believe such things nor deny them for the Hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari from Abu Hurairah (Radiya Allahu Anhu) who said: "The People of the Book used to read Torah in Hebrew language, and then interpret meanings to Muslims'. Then, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Believe not the People of the Book nor deny (their narration), and, say to them! (We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you)" .
Based on the above-stated points, it is not possible to rely on the previous Divine Books nor on their followers, who are not our brothers since they changed their Shari'a and disbelieved in Islam. Thus, it is impossible to be our brother!
One who contemplates our present situation can perceive that Jews are violating compacts and charters like their forefathers, killing Muslims, desecrating their honor and spoiling their property.
Allah, The Great and Almighty, confirms such a situation in the Qur'an, saying: {Is it not (the case) that every time they make a covenant, some party among them throw it aside? Nay! the truth is most of them believe not.} [2: 100].
Then, is it possible to have covenant of peace with such violators as Allah has clearly stated in the Qur'an?!
We pray to Allah to grant Islam and Muslims high rank and to dishonor, disbelief and its followers.
Allah knows best.
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