Grade 8IRE

Belief in Revealed Scriptures

Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, Qur'an; importance of belief in revealed books.

📖 4 min read · 3 worked examples · 6 practice questions

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The lesson

Today we'll explore the belief in the revealed scriptures—Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, and Qur'an—and see why they are central to the Pillar of Iman. First, we'll identify each scripture and its unique role. Then, we'll discuss why these books matter for our faith, and finally, we'll look at real‑life examples from Kenya to apply what we learn. Can anyone tell me which of these books you've heard of before? Feel free to raise your hand. Great, we'll start with the Tawrat, the scripture given to Moses, followed by the Zabur for David, the Injil for Jesus, and the Qur'an revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

Let's start by looking at the title: "What Are Revealed Scriptures?" These are the holy books that, according to Islam, were sent by Allah to guide humanity. First, the Tawrat (Torah) was given to Prophet Musa, that's Moses. It contains the early laws and stories for the Children of Israel. Second, the Zabur (Psalms) was revealed to Prophet Dawud, known as David, and includes many of the devotional songs and prayers. Third, the Injil (Gospel) was sent to Prophet Isa, Jesus, and it conveyed his teachings and moral guidance. Finally, the Qur'an is the last and complete revelation, given to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them all, serving as the final guide for humanity. In summary, these four books—Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, and Qur'an—represent a progressive chain of divine messages, each confirming the one before and culminating in the Qur'an.

Let's explore why believing in the previous revelations is so important in Islam. First, it affirms that Allah's guidance has been sent throughout history, from the Tawrat (Torah) to the Zabur (Psalms) and the Injil (Gospel), showing a continuous divine message. Second, this continuity teaches us that all prophets delivered a consistent core of moral truth. Third, respecting these books helps us engage respectfully in inter‑faith dialogue, recognizing common ground with people of other faiths. Finally, believing in them provides a solid moral and legal foundation for Muslims, reinforcing the principles found in the Qur'an. In short, belief in the earlier scriptures connects us to the whole prophetic story, supports our values, and encourages respectful understanding with others.

Let's explore how scriptures shape everyday life in Kenya. First, many mosques and churches in Nairobi teach respect for all revealed books – the Tawrat (Torah), Zabur (Psalms), Injil (Gospel), and the Qur'an. Second, the Kenyan curriculum for Moral and Religious Education explicitly mentions the Qur'an alongside the Bible, so students study both side by side. Third, community events such as inter‑faith prayers bring people together, celebrating shared values like compassion and justice found in all scriptures. At this bar chart: it shows the percentage of Kenyan schools that include each book in their RE lessons, highlighting how widely these texts are taught. To sum up, Kenyan society weaves the Qur'an, Bible, and other revealed books into education, worship, and community life, fostering mutual respect.

Class, we've reached the end of our lesson. This slide is our Summary and Reflection, where we tie everything together. First, remember that all four scriptures—the Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, and Qur'an—are part of the Pillar of Iman, the belief in all revealed books. Each of these books reinforces moral values that are very relevant to daily life here in Kenya, such as honesty, respect, and caring for our neighbors. When we respect the previous revelations, we promote unity and better understanding among people of different faiths. Think about how you can show respect for these other scriptures in your own community. What actions can you take?

Worked examples

Identifying the Prophet

Class, let's work through our first example: identifying the Prophet associated with the Zabur. The teacher mentions a prophet who received the Zabur, which is the Psalms revealed to a specific prophet. Recall the list of known prophets with revealed books: Tawrat was given to Moses, Injil to Jesus, and the Qur'an to Muhammad. Since the Zabur is not Tawrat, Injil, or Qur'an, the only remaining prophet in our list is Dawud—known in English as King David. Therefore, the answer is: the Zabur belongs to Prophet Dawud (David). Great job following the reasoning step by step!

Comparing Messages

Let's explore Worked Example 2, where we compare moral messages from the Tawrat and the Qur'an using a Kenyan proverb. First, notice the proverb: "Honesty builds trust in the village." This sets the scene for the shared moral theme. In the Tawrat we find the teaching, "Do not bear false witness." It emphasizes truthfulness in the community. The Qur'an adds, "Speak the truth even if it be against yourself." This deepens the call to honesty, even when it's difficult. Putting these together, we see a clear conclusion: all three sources stress honesty as the foundation of trust and social harmony.

Practical Application

Let's explore Worked Example 3, a practical way to live the Injil's message of love for our neighbours. First, the Injil stresses caring for the neighbour, as the Prophet Muhammad reported in a hadith: "You shall love for your neighbour what you love for yourself." Imagine a Kenyan student who decides to volunteer at a local health clinic—this simple act illustrates that compassion in action. By serving the community, the student links personal service directly to the belief in the revealed books, showing how faith becomes everyday service. Remember: practicing love for the neighbour is not just a belief, it's a daily choice we can all make.

Practice questions

  • Recall that Prophet Isa (Jesus) received the Zabur, which is the Psalms— a collection of divine songs. The Qur'an tells us that the Zabur was revealed to him before the Injil (Gospel) was revealed to Prophet Muhammad's predecessor, Jesus.
  • When we talk about the law given to the Children of Israel, we are referring to the Tawrat, known in English as the Torah. It contains the commandments and guidance specifically for the Israelite community.
  • Finally, the Qur'an (Holy Quran) is the final revelation in Islam, completing the message that began with the Tawrat, continued with the Zabur and Injil, and concludes with the Qur'an as the last scripture.
  • Remember the principle of **Respect for People of the Book (Ahl al‑Kitab)** – it means Muslims honor the holy books and followers of Judaism and Christianity. When a Kenyan student respects the Qur'an yet also reads the Bible at school, that illustrates this respect.
  • For the proverb question, think about the teachings found in the **Tawrat** (the Torah). For ideas about honoring parents, truthfulness, hard work, and justice.
  • Finally, when we pair prophets, recall that **Prophet Musa (Moses)** worked closely with his brother **Harun (Aaron)** as his helper and spokesperson. This is a classic duo mentioned throughout the Qur'an and the Bible.

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