Scrolls of Abraham
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The Scrolls of Abraham (
Background
In two surah (chapters), which are dated from the first Meccan period, there is a reference to the 'Leaves, Scrolls, Journals' (Suhuf) of Abraham (and the Scrolls of Moses), by which presumably certain divinely inspired texts handwritten by the patriarchs are meant.[citation needed] These passages say that the truth of God's message is present in the earliest revelations, of Abraham and Moses.[citation needed] Although Suhuf is generally understood to mean 'Scrolls', many translators - including Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Marmaduke Pickthall - have translated the verse as "The Books of Abraham and Moses".
Qur'anic mention
The
The 87th chapter of the Quran, surah Al-Ala, concludes saying the subject matter of the surah has been in the earlier scriptures of Abraham and Moses. It is slightly indicative of what were in the previous scriptures, according to Islam:
Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the hearer).
The admonition will be received by those who fear (Quran 87:9-19[3]
Chapter 53 of the Quran, surah An-Najm mentions some more subject matters of the earlier scriptures of Abraham and Moses.
Nay, is he not acquainted with what is in the Books of Moses-
And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements?-
Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;
That man can have nothing but what he strives for;
That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:
Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
That to thy Lord is the final Goal;
That it is He Who granteth Laughter and Tears;
That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
That He did create in pairs,- male and female,
From a seed when lodged (in its place);
That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);
That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;
That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star);
And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancientQuran 53:36-62[4]
Identification
Some scholars suggest the Scrolls of Abraham to be a reference to the Sefer Yetzirah, as its appendix (vi. 15) and Jewish tradition generally ascribe the reception of its revelation to Abraham.[5] Other scholars, however, suggest it refers to the Testament of Abraham, which was also available at the time of Muhammad (Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdullāh).[6]
The Quran contains numerous references to Abraham, his life, prayers and traditions and has a dedicated chapter named
who asked Muhammad about past events. Here God directly instructed Muhammad in surah Al-Kahf (18:22), not to consult the Jews for verifying the three stories about which they inquired....Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.
— Quran, surah 18 (Al-Kahf), ayah 22[7]
The reason being God declaring He Himself is relating what needs to be verified in another verse of surah Al-Kahf (18:13)
We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance:
— Quran, surah 18 (Al-Kahf), ayah 13[8]
Regarding consultation with the
The people of the Scripture (Jews) used to recite the Torah in Hebrew and they used to explain it in Arabic to the Muslims. On that Allah's Apostle said, "Do not believe the people of the Scripture or disbelieve them, but say: 'We believe in Allah and what is revealed to us'."
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 6, Volume 60, Hadith 12
Therefore, in this view, Muslims would not be required to ascribe to the Sefer Yetzirah, even were it to be identified as the Scrolls of Abraham. Furthermore, Muslim theology accepts the original Torah (Tawrat) as revealed to Moses (Musa) or the original Psalms (Zabur) as revealed to David (Dawud), as well as the original Evangel (Injil) as revealed to Jesus (Isa) [9]
See also
Notes
- Arabic: صُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيم Ṣuḥufi ʾIbrāhīm and/or الصُّحُفِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ Aṣ-Ṣuḥufi 'l-Ūlā - "Books of the Earliest Revelation"
References
- ^ A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism, B. M. Wheeler, Abraham
- ISBN 978-1-906949-64-8.
- ^ Quran 87:9–19
- ^ Quran 53:36–62
- ^ One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "YEẒIRAH, SEFER". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ Tafsir and Commentary on 87: 18-19 & 53: 36-37, Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Asad
- ^ Quran 18:22
- ^ Quran 18:13
- ^ Friedmann (2003), p. 35
Further reading
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- Editions and translations:
- Editio princeps:
- other important editions:
- Amsterdam, 1642;
- Zolkiev, 1745;
- Korzec, 1779;
- Constantinople, 1791;
- Grodno, 1806 (five commentaries); Sefer Detail: ספר יצירה -- ספר יצירה. תקס"ו. הורדנה.
- Warsaw, 1884 (nine commentaries);
- Frankfort-on-the-Main, 1894 (the edition, however, by no means represents a critical text).
- Translations:
- Latin:
- German:
- Johann F. von Meyer, Das Buch Yezira, Leipsic, 1830;
- English:
- I. Kalisch, A Sketch of the Talmud, New York City, 1877;
- W. W. Westcott, Sepher Yezirah, London, 1893;
- French:
- Karppe, Etude sur les Origines . . . du Zohar, pp. 139–158, Paris, 1901.
- Literature:
- Castelli, Il Commento di Sabbatai Donnolo, Florence, 1880;
- Epstein, Studien zum Jezira-Buche, in Monatsschrift, xxxvii.;
- idem, Pseudo-Saadia, ib.;
- idem, Recherches sur le Sefer Yeçira, in R. E. J. xxviii.-xxix. (both articles also published separately);
- idem, in Monatsschrift, xxxix. 46–48, 134–136;
- Breslau, 1846;
- Franck, La Kabbale, pp. 53–66, 102–118, Paris, 1843 (German translation by Jellinek, pp. 57–65, Leipsic, 1844);
- Hamburger, R. B. T. Supplement, iii. 98-102;
- Jellinek, Beiträge, i. 3-16;
- Rosenthal, in Keneset Yisrael, ii. 29–68;
- Steinschneider, in Berliner's Magazin, xix. 79–85;
- idem, Cat. Bodl. cols. 552–554;
- Zedner, Cat. Hebr. Books Brit. Mus. p. 13;
- Fürst, Bibl. Jud. i. 27–28;
- Bacher, Die Anfänge der Hebräischen Grammatik, pp. 20–23, Leipsic, 1895.