Answer:
What is meant by Belief in the Books and Messengers is believing that Allah revealed books to messengers in order that (people) would be invited to (the worship of) Allah.Allah says:
{Verily, We sent our Messengers with clear proofs and revealed to them the Book and the Balance that mankind might exercise justice}
He mentioned and informed about some of them, while he did not mention (many) others. We must therefore believe that Allah sent messengers to call (people) to the belief in the oneness and Unity of Allah, and (being) obedient to Him. We should believe that the prophets were sent to give people glad tidings of what awaits them with Allah of the abundant blessing, if they follow the Straight Path, and to warn them of Allah’s punishment, if they deviate. We believe in this as a general principle.We also believe, as a general principle, that Allah revealed books to messengers that clarify the truth. We must also believe in the details that Allah, the Exalted, has informed us about. We therefore believe that He sent Nuh, Hud, Salih, Ibrahim, Lut, Musa, Harun, Dawood, Sulaiman, ‘Isa and whoever else Allah specifically mentioned. We also believe in those books that Allah mentioned with detail like the scriptures of Ibrahim and Musa, Tawrah, Injeel and Zaboor, all of which have been mentioned by name, as well as the Qur’an. These have been mentioned in detail and we believe in them.
Concerning our obligations with respect to action and deeds, then we must act according to what is contained specifically within our revealed law, the law revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him). This law is complete and perfect and it contains within it what is beneficial to us from the previously revealed laws. It contains additions to those previous laws as well as reductions, to lessen the burden that was on those before us. So our revealed law is perfect and complete. It contains what former revealed laws contained of blessing and goodness, and also includes some reduction and easing of certain obligations, as well having certain laws that Allah only prescribed for this community. It contains good, blessing and benefit for this community in both religion and worldly affairs.Our only duty is to believe in the Books and Messengers as a general principle. That the Messengers are truthful and sincere, that they transmitted the message and fulfilled the trust, that they conveyed the books which were revealed to them and taught them to people. We must also believe in those messengers and books that were specifically mentioned by name. We must follow the exalted Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him) whom Allah singled out for us, and believe in him specifically. All of us, men and women, rich and poor, rulers and ruled, Arabs and non-Arabs, must follow the law revealed to him and adhere to it wherever we are and at all times.
– Shaykh Bin Baz, Al-Aqalliyaat Al-Muslimah (Muslim Minorities)
- Page 34, Fatwa No. 9. |
