Torah

Lore & Background

The Torah was given to Moses as a covenant from Allah, with the mount raised over the Children of Israel as they were commanded to take it with determination (Surah 2:63). It served as guidance for the Children of Israel (Surah 32:23) and contained Allah's judgment, which the prophets, rabbis, and scholars were entrusted to uphold (Surah 5:44). However, a party among the Israelites distorted the Torah after understanding it (Surah 2:75), and many turned away from its rulings (Surah 5:43). The Qur'an is said to confirm the Torah (Surah 3:3), and the Torah and Gospel together are presented as scriptures that the People of the Scripture are urged to uphold (Surah 5:66, Surah 5:68). Those entrusted with the Torah but who did not act upon it are compared to a donkey carrying books (Surah 62:5). The Torah was revealed after Abraham, contrary to arguments about him (Surah 3:65), and certain food laws were in place before its revelation (Surah 3:93).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray the Torah as a divinely revealed scripture of guidance and light, given specifically to Moses for the Children of Israel (Surah 2:63, Surah 32:23). It contains Allah's judgment and was meant to be used by prophets, rabbis, and scholars to judge (Surah 5:44). However, the passages also highlight human failure: some Israelites distorted the Torah after understanding it (Surah 2:75), others turned away from its rulings (Surah 5:43), and many did not uphold it (Surah 5:66). The Torah is consistently presented as a valid and authoritative scripture that is confirmed by the Gospel (Surah 5:46) and the Qur'an (Surah 3:3). The passages do not present the Torah as abrogated but rather as a scripture that the People of the Scripture are called to follow alongside the Gospel and the Qur'an (Surah 5:68). The Torah is also used as a standard for truth, as when Muhammad is told to challenge the People of the Scripture to bring the Torah and recite it (Surah 3:93).

Did You Know?

• The Torah was given to Moses and made guidance for the Children of Israel (Surah 32:23).
• The Torah contains the description of Muhammad and his followers (Surah 48:29).
• Those entrusted with the Torah but not acting on it are likened to a donkey carrying books (Surah 62:5).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Torah study is the study of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and other Jewish religious texts." — Torah "The Torah is the method of achieving hope—in effect it embodies the principles and pathways that sustain hope." — Torah "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation." — Torah "Every Israelite has a duty to study whether he is poor or rich, whether healthy or suffering, whether young or very old and in failing strength, even if he is poor and supported by charity or begs from door to door." — Torah