Q: What is the difference between the bible's old testament and the new testament ?

A: The Old Testament of the current bible comprises a number of books that the Jews believe were inspired by Almighty Allah to Nabi Moosa (alayhis-salaam) and his followers, while the New Testament contains books that Christians believe were inspired to Nabi Eesa (alayhis-salaam) and his followers. The two collections of books were written thousands of years apart. The Old Testament came first, and then thousands of years later the New Testament was written. However, later on both these collections were compiled in one format.

The above is the viewpoint held by Jews and Christians respectively. We Muslims do not maintain this belief or view, and we have historical facts to back this up. Allah Ta’ala referred to the OId Testament as Taurah, and this was the original book that was revealed to Nabi Moosa alayhis-salaam on Tablets that came directly from Jannat. (Al-Quran 7:145) The Taurah was written down in the time of Nabi Moosa Aalyhis-salaam, but after his demise there began a continuous process of deletions, omission, interpolations, and adulterations. Some books that were not revealed to Nabi Moosa (AS) were added to what the Jews dubbed as the Old Testament and they claimed these books were the result of ‘divine inspiration’ to its authors. Some books contained mere historical facts. The same can be said about the New Testament and its Gospels. Here too, latter Christians added books that just contained historical data to this collection and claimed these were inspired works.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

A: Imam Fakhruddeen Raazi has explained the differences between a Rasool (prophet) and a Nabi (messenger). A Rasool is one who has performed miracles and has received a new Divine book. He establishes a new code of law (Shar'iah) and abrogates the previous code of law and book. He has also visibly seen the angel that comes with the Divine message, and the Rasool is commanded to invite the people towards the Deen.

A Nabi is one who is not given a new book, but rather establishes the book which was revealed to the Rasool before him. He does not abrogate the book and the code of law which was in vogue before him. He sees the angel in a dream or the Rasool of the time informs him that he has been chosen as a Nabi. (Tafseer Raazi V1 p3212, Mafaateehul Ghayb V23 p43)

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Q: We have a dispute in our class of rijal and we would like your advice. Was 'Alqama bin Wa'il in his mother's womb when his father Wa'il bin Hujr died? Or was it Abdul Jabbar bin Wa'il who was in his mother's womb when his father (Wa'il bin Hujr) died?

A: There are both opinions in the Kitabs on this issue. The Riwaayat in Abu Dawood indicates the Abdul Jabbaar narrated from his father. Most Historians are of the opinion that Alqamah narrated from the father and not Abdul Jabbaar. Some say that he narrated from his father Mursalan. The stronger inclination is that Abdul Jabbaar was in the womb of the mother at the time of his father's death.

Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Check the following Kitabs:

1) At Ta'reekhul Kabeer

2) At Tabaqaatul Kubraa

3) Al Kaashif Fee Ma'rifati Man Lahu Riwaayatun Fil Kutubis Sittah

4) Tahdheebul Asmaa

5) Tahdheebut Tahdheeb

6) Thiqaat ibni Habbaan

7) Siyar A'alaamin Nubalaa'

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

A: Nabi Dawood (Alayhis Salaam) is from the progeny of Nabi Ya'qoob (Alayhis Salaam) and a Nabi from the Bani Israa'eel. After the slaying of Jaaloot (Goliath) by Nabi Dawood, the Bani Israa'eel began to love and honour him. Thereafter he became the ruler and also received the mantle of prophethood. Before this, prophethood and rulership were always in two separate families. This was the first time that both were in one family and one person. He was known for his bravery, intelligence, wisdom and accurate judgements. He was assisted with Divine revelation in his judgements. It is narrated from Sayyidina ibni Abbaas (Radhiyallaahu Anhumaa) that once two people came to Nabi Dawood to settle a dispute over ownership of a bull. Each one claimed ownership and that the other one is the usurper. Nabi Dawood delayed the judgement for the following day. On the next day he called one of them and said to him that "Last night I was instructed through revelation (Wahi) to execute you. Tell me, what is the truth?" This person replied: "O truthful Nabi of Allah! I am completely truthful with regard to the claim on the bull, but a while back I had deceived the other claimant's father and killed him." Thereafter Nabi Dawood ordered that this person be executed for the killing.

He was always blessed with victory. He always gained victory with a small group of people over large forces. Thus, in a short time, he ruled over vast areas. He was also a great orator and was blessed with an extremely beautiful voice. When he recited the Zaboor, man and Jinn, even animals and birds stopped to listen to his recital. The Taurah served as a code of law for his people. The Zaboor revealed to him did not consist of a new code of law. The Zaboor contained mostly praises of Allah Ta'aala, advices and words of wisdom. It also foretold the advent of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam). The Zaboor was revealed on the 12th night of Ramadhaan to Nabi Dawood (Alayhis Salaam). Although he was the king and had treasures at his disposal, he never took anything from the treasury for himself or his family, but earned with his own hands. His miracle was that Allah made steel become soft and flexible in his hands. He would make coats of armour and sell them for an income. He was also gifted with the ability to understand the sounds of the birds. Thus, he would understand the language of the birds.

A narration from Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) is recorded in the Hadeeth compilation 'Mustadrak Haakim' that after Sayyidina Adam (Alayhis Salaam) was created, his entire progeny was presented to him. Among them he saw a handsome person with a shining forehead. He asked Allah Ta'aala who it is. Allah said that it is a person from among your progeny who will be born much later. He then asked that how long will he live for? The reply was sixty years. He then said that give him another forty years from my lifespan. When it was time for the demise of Sayyidina Adam, the angel of death arrived to take his soul. He said to the angel of death that I still have forty years of life left. The angel said to him: you forgot that you gave forty years of your life to one of your sons Dawood! From this narration it is understood that Nabi Dawood lived for a hundred years. His son Nabi Sulayman (Alayhis Salaam) became the Nabi and ruler after the demise of Nabi Dawood (Alayhis Salaam).

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai