Introduction to Scripture and role of

scripture in world Religion

Quranic Studies
What really is a scripture?
• Scripture is a universal concept used worldwide to refer to texts
considered sacred and authoritative in various religious traditions
throughout history.
• The term "scripture" encompasses texts revered in diverse religious
traditions globally.
Complexity of the term
• Complex Nature of the Term 'Scripture': The term 'scripture' is often associated with 'sacred
books,' but it is inherently complex and ambiguous when applied to various sacred texts.
• Diverse Forms and Content: Sacred texts encompass a wide range of forms and content.
These can include ritual books, legal codes, myths, historical accounts, divine revelations, and
more, leading to significant diversity.
• Challenging Definition: Defining scripture becomes challenging due to the diversity of sacred
texts. Attempting to provide a simple and comprehensive definition is a formidable task.
• Examples of Diverse Sacred Texts: Notably, diverse sacred texts like the Song of Songs in the
Hebrew Bible, the talismanic prayers in the last two sūrahs of the Qur’ān, Krishna’s self-
revelation in the Bhagavadgītā Chapter 11, and the Buddha’s parable of the burning house in
the Lotus Sūtra illustrate the vast differences in style, form, subject matter, and intent among
scriptures.
Oral vs. Written Transmission
• Scripture is typically associated with written texts, but many sacred
traditions originally transmitted their texts orally.
• Example: Hindu Vedas, like the Vedas, were orally transmitted for
millennia before being written down.
Primary vs Secondary Text
• Christianity
Primary Text: The Bible (New Testament).
Secondary Text: "Confessions" by Augustine of Hippo.
• Judaism
Primary Text: The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and
Deuteronomy).
Secondary Text: The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud or Jerusalem Talmud).
• Hinduism
Primary Text: The Bhagavad Gita.
Secondary Text: The Upanishads (e.g., Chandogya Upanishad).
 So how do we come around this term?
Relational Concept:
•Scripture's sacredness is not inherent in the text itself but depends on the community's perception of it.
• A text becomes "scripture" when a community sees it as powerful, meaningful, and transcendent, like the Qur’ān for Muslims.
Origins and Development:
•The idea of a scriptural book is linked to the concept of a heavenly book containing divine knowledge or decrees.
•The concept of a heavenly book appears in various cultures, including the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman worlds.
Semantic Background:
•The term "scripture" derives from Latin "scriptura," meaning "a writing."
• In early Christian and Jewish usage, it referred to sacred texts like the Torah and the Old Testament.
Generalization of the Concept:
•The concept of scripture gradually expanded to include sacred texts beyond the Bible.
• Awareness of texts like the Indian Veda and Chinese classics led to a broader understanding of "scripture."
Modern Usage:
•In contemporary language, "scripture" is commonly used to refer to sacred texts from diverse religious traditions.
•The term "scripture" encompasses the Qur’ān, the Bhagavadgītā, and various other sacred texts.
Global Recognition:
•The idea of sacred texts functioning as scripture is recognized worldwide, reflecting their importance and authority in various cultures.
•Different cultures have their own scriptures, each holding a unique place of reverence and significance.
 Now let’s look at some
Scriptures from other world
Religions
Hinduism
Hinduism at a Glance
• One of the world's oldest religions
• Evolved over thousands of years
• Diverse and complex belief system
Core Beliefs of Hinduism
• Reincarnation and karma
• Dharma (duty and righteousness)
• Moksha (spiritual liberation)
Diverse Pantheon of Deities
• Thousands of gods and goddesses
• Major deities include Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga
Their Scriptures
Vedas: The Vedas are the oldest and most authoritative scriptures in Hinduism. There are four Vedas:
Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. Each Veda consists of four parts: Samhitas (hymns),
Brahmanas (rituals), Aranyakas (theological discussions), and Upanishads (philosophical teachings). The
Upanishads, in particular, are highly significant as they explore the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and
the ultimate reality (Brahman).
Bhagavad Gita: This is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It consists of
a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. The Bhagavad Gita
addresses various aspects of life, duty, and spirituality.
Ramayana and Mahabharata: These two ancient epics are foundational texts in Hinduism. The Ramayana
narrates the life and adventures of Lord Rama, while the Mahabharata is a massive epic that includes the
Bhagavad Gita and tells the story of the Kurukshetra War.
Puranas: Hinduism has numerous Puranas, which are ancient texts that contain myths, legends, and
religious teachings. Some well-known Puranas include the Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, and Bhagavata
Purana.
Upanishads: As mentioned earlier, the Upanishads are philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality,
the self, and the divine. They are considered the culmination of Vedic thought.
Judaism: An Overview

• One of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. (2000 year old)

• Rooted in the covenant between God (Yahweh) and the Hebrew people.
• Spiritual and cultural identity of Jewish communities worldwide.
Core Beliefs in Judaism
• Monotheism: Belief in the one God, Yahweh.
• Covenant: The sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people.
• Ethical Code: Guided by the Ten Commandments and Mitzvot
(commandments).
• Messiah: A future savior figure is awaite
 Judaism (The Scriptures)

Torah (Pentateuch):
•The central and most important scripture.
•Comprises the first five books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
•Contains the laws, commandments, and narratives of Jewish history.
Talmud:
•A comprehensive compilation of Jewish law and tradition.
•Composed of the Mishnah (oral law) and Gemara (commentaries and discussions).
•Provides guidance for daily life and interpretation of the Torah.
The Torah: Five Books of Moses
• Genesis: The first book of the Torah. Chronicles the creation of the world and early human history. Key
stories include the creation of Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Contains foundational narratives of the Jewish faith, such as the covenant between God and Abraham.
• Exodus: The second book of the Torah. Focuses on the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Key
events include the burning bush, the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the giving of the Ten
Commandments at Mount Sinai. Emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments.
• Leviticus: The third book of the Torah. Primarily concerned with laws and rituals, including those related to
sacrifice, purity, and the priesthood. Discusses the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and various festivals.
Stresses the holiness and sanctity of the Israelite community.
• Numbers: The fourth book of the Torah. Records the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, including the
census of the tribes. Contains stories of rebellion, punishment, and divine guidance. Highlights the
challenges of leadership and faithfulness during their wilderness wanderings.
• Deuteronomy: The fifth and final book of the Torah. Comprises a series of speeches by Moses to the
Israelites on the plains of Moab. Recounts the laws and commandments given earlier and emphasizes the
importance of following them faithfully. Serves as a final exhortation to obedience before the Israelites enter
the Promised Land.
Core Beliefs
• Monotheism: Belief in the one God, Yahweh.
• Covenant: The sacred agreement between God and the Jewish
people.
• Ethical Code: Guided by the Ten Commandments and Mitzvot
(commandments).
• Messiah: A future savior figure is awaited.
Christianity: an Overview
• One of the world's largest religions, based on the life and teachings of
Jesus Christ.
• Emerged from Judaism in the 1st century CE.
• Diverse denominations and beliefs worldwide.
Christianity Scriptures
• The Bible: The central religious text of Christianity, consisting of the Old Testament and
the New Testament.
• Old Testament: Contains texts sacred to both Judaism and Christianity, including books like
Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, and Isaiah.
• New Testament: Focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, with books
like the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Acts, and the Epistles.
• The Gospels: Found in the New Testament, the Gospels are the primary sources of
Jesus Christ's life and teachings, featuring the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• The Epistles: A collection of letters written by early Christian leaders like Paul and Peter,
addressing various theological and ethical issues within the Christian communities.
• The Book of Revelation: The final book of the New Testament, offering apocalyptic
visions and prophecies about the end times
Core Beliefs in Christianity

• Trinity: Belief in one God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ),
and Holy Spirit.
• Salvation: Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior.
• Love and Forgiveness: Emphasis on love for God and one another.
• Eternal Life: Belief in life after death and resurrection.
Quran (What is so Unique?)
1. Recognition of Other Scriptures: The Quran is unique in its explicit recognition of
the sacred texts of other communities, such as the Jewish and Christian scriptures,
as belonging to the same category as the Quran itself. It refers to Jews, Christians,
and a group called the Sābi’ūn as "people of scripture." This recognition of other
scriptures as part of the same category is arguably unique among major scriptures.
2. Generic Concept of Scripture: The Quran introduces a generic concept of
scripture that encompasses earlier scriptures and the Quran itself. While other
sacred texts typically did not refer to themselves as "scripture" during their
composition, the Quran presents itself as part of a larger, multi-communal
scriptural history.
3. Concept of a Divine Kitāb: The Quran also introduces the concept of a divine kitāb
(book) that resides with God and from which all earthly scriptures, or kutub, have
been drawn. This notion reinforces the idea of a divine source for all scriptures.
Contd.
4. Continuity of Prophets and Revelations: The Quran presents itself as the culmination of a long line of
scriptural revelations given to earlier prophets. It emphasizes the pattern of God sending messengers with
guidance to various nations and the successive revelations that include the pages given to Abraham, Psalms to
David, Torah to Moses, Gospel to Jesus, and finally, the Quran to Muhammad.
5. Divine Signs in Nature and History: The Quran is described as a reminder of the signs of God in nature and
history. It emphasizes the signs (āyāt) of God as both the miraculous works in the created world and the verses
of scripture. This dual meaning of āyāt reinforces the idea of God's presence in both the natural world and the
revealed text.
6. The Quran as God's Word: The Quran is considered the literal Word of God among Muslims. Its unique status
as the unaltered and eternal Word of God is central to Islamic theology. It is seen as a direct revelation from God
to humanity, and its inimitability (i‘jāz) is a testament to its divine origin.
“Indeed it is We, We Who send down the Reminder in parts, and it is indeed We Who are its Guardian.”(the
Qur’an, Al-Hijr, 15:9)
7. Importance of Arabic Language: The Quran's revelation in the Arabic language is a fundamental aspect of its
identity. While translations exist, they are considered interpretations rather than the Quran itself. The Arabic
language plays a crucial role in Islamic worship and is integral to the recitation of the Quran during daily prayers.
Why was Quran needed and who were its
target audience?
• “So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard. They
change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent
to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and
overlook (their misdeeds). Verily, Allaah loves al-Muhsineen (good-doers).” [al-Maa’idah 5:13]
• “People of the Book! Do not go to excess in your religion. Say nothing but the truth about God. The Messiah,
Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of God and His Word, which He cast into Mary, and a Spirit from
Him. So have faith in God and His Messengers. Do not say, ‘Three.’ It is better that you stop. God is only One
God. He is too Glorious to have a son. Everything in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. God
suffices as a Guardian. The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant to God, nor would the angels near
to Him.” (Qur’an 4:171-172)
• “O Children of Israel, remember the blessing I conferred on you, and that I preferred you over all other
beings.” (Qur’an 2:47). “We sent down the Torah containing guidance and light, and the Prophets who had
submitted themselves gave judgment by it for the Jews—as did their scholars and their rabbis—by what
they had been allowed to preserve of God’s Book to which they were witnesses.” (Qur’an 5:44)
• “Children of Israel, I am sent to you by God confirming the Torah that came before me and bringing good
news of a messenger to follow me whose name will be Ahmad.” (Qur’an 61:6.)
 What is its goal?
• “O People of the Book, let us arrive at a word that is common to us all:
we worship God alone, we ascribe no partner to Him, and none of us
takes others beside God as lords.” (Qur’an 3:64)
• From this we can infer that Tauheed and universality of divine
message is central to Islam and its message
So what roles can we see the scriptures
play?
• Foundation of Faith: Sacred scriptures serve as the cornerstone of belief systems in various world religions.
• Divine Guidance: They are seen as revelations or teachings from a higher power, providing guidance on morality, spirituality,
and the nature of the divine.
• Spiritual Authority: Scriptures often hold supreme authority in religious matters, shaping doctrine, rituals, and ethical
principles.
• Moral Framework: They establish a moral framework for adherents, addressing issues of right and wrong, justice, compassion,
and human relationships.
• Unity and Identity: Sacred texts unify religious communities and define their unique identities, fostering a sense of belonging.
• Historical and Cultural Significance: Scriptures preserve the history, culture, and traditions of religious communities, making
them repositories of collective memory.
• Interpretation: The interpretation of scriptures can vary, leading to diverse theological perspectives and sects within religions.
• Interfaith Dialogue: Scriptures are essential for interfaith dialogue and understanding, facilitating discussions on shared values
and beliefs.
• Inspiration: They inspire individuals and communities to live in accordance with their religious teachings, seeking spiritual
growth and enlightenment.
• Dynamic Role: The role of scriptures evolves over time, adapting to changing social, cultural, and ethical contexts, while
remaining a source of wisdom and inspiration.
Quick Summary
a) “Scripture”, in contemporary times, is a common term that refers to
sacred books of different religions.
b) In every religion, the founder and scripture ate two basic sources of
authority [link to chapter 2 of authority and leadership module]
c) The two sources are not independent. Every scripture/Book (kitab)
comes with Sahib-e-Kitab (the founder).
d) Thus, Kitab is dependent on Sahib-e-Kitab for its interpretation/
explanation/guidance.