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Hundred Questions - Scriptures
Scriptures
Q85 What are the literal and esoteric meanings of these scriptures: Suhuf, Tawrat, Zabur and Injil?
A85
- Suhuf is the plural of sahifah, and its primary meanings are found in these words: as-sahif (the surface of the earth); as-sahifah (anything extended); sahifatu'l-wajh (spread of the face); as-sahfah (an extended wide bowl). It is because of this spaciousness and expansion that sahifah's [secondary meaning] is a written thing, i.e. paper, leaf, page, and thus suhuf means written pages, leaves. The ta'wil of suhuf (with respect to an extended thing and written pages) is kalimat-i tammat (the perfect words) of the spirit and spirituality, each of which is a great and pure spiritual leaf, whose expansion of meaning and ta'wil is very great.
- Tawrat: There are two versions of the literal meaning of tawrat. According to one, it is the plural of the Arabicised form tawrah, which in Hebrew means law and commandment. Thus, Tawrat means commandments and laws.
According to the other version it is derived from "wary", which means both 'hiding' and 'appearing', as the words show: "hatta tawarat bi'l-hijab (Until the sun was hidden in the veil) (38:32); "yuwari" (He hides) (5:31); "an-nara'llati turuna (The fire which you kindle)" (56:71); "fa'l-muriyati qadhan (And strike sparks of fire)" (100:2). Also in the traditions: "Inna'n- nabiyya salla'llahu calayhi wa-alihi wa-sallama kana idha arada ghazwan warra bi-ghayrihi (When the Prophet wanted to go on a ghazwa (military expedition), he was using tawriyah. Tawriyah means wishing something and pretending something else in such a way that it is not a lie. Warra' z-zand (The fire came out of the flint).
From the above examples it is clear that Tawrat means both external and internal. That is, the Scripture revealed to Musa (May peace be through him) was not only in an external form but also in an internal form, and that aspect which was internal and spiritual contained guidance and light, as God says: "Verily! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and light" (5:44). - Zabur means a book, as is clear from these examples, such as az-zabr, to write; mizbar, pen, writing reed; zabir, writing: zibr (pl. zubur), book, intellect; zabur (pl. zubur), mazbur, anything written, book. According to some, Zabur among the scriptures means that book whose comprehension is difficult. Some others say it means the book, which contains only intellectual wisdoms and not the legal commandments, and al-kitab means the one which contains both commandments and wisdoms. The proof of this is that the Zabur of David (May peace be through him), does not contain any commandment of law (Mufradat by Raghib Isfahani (Beirut, 1972), pp. 215-16).
This shows that Zabur is the scripture whose comprehension is difficult, for in it are emphasised intellectual wisdoms. Its most fundamental wisdom is that in it are hidden the great secrets of 'self (khwudi)' and 'Godhead (Khuda'i)'. God, may He be exalted, by His perfect power used David (May peace be through him)'s heart and mind under the influence of spiritual and luminous powers and caused it to be expressed by his tongue and called it a heavenly Book. In this work are hidden many secrets of ma`rifat. Regarding this reality, the Qur'an says: "Those of the children of Isra'il who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress." (5:78) This divine command reveals various wisdoms. First of all, it reveals that David (May peace be through him) was the speaking tongue of God in his own time. Thus, for such a tongue of God it is not appropriate that it should be appointed only to curse the disobedient ones.
Rather, on the other side, His mercy to the obedient ones should also come through him. Indeed, the true guide who holds the great rank of lisanu'llah (i.e. the tongue of God) is certainly in such a position. Thus it is obvious that Zabur was caused to be spoken through the tongue of David (May peace be through him). - Injil: According to some lexicographers, Injil is the Arabicised form of the Greek word 'evangelion' meaning good news, gospel. According to some others, it is derived from the Arabic root of 'najala'. Najala has various meanings, but according to some it is in the sense of 'najaltu'sh-shay', (i.e. I revealed the thing). According to this it also gives the same meaning of the Tawrat. That is, the heavenly Book has an exoteric and an esoteric aspect, as the Qur'an says: "And He has completed His favours, both apparent and hidden, upon you." (31:20). Thus, as long as the Injil as a heavenly Book, was in its original form without any alteration and distortion, no faithful person can doubt its having divine favours in its exoteric and esoteric aspects, as the greatest favours of God are certainly in the form of knowledge and wisdom.
It is also said: "And (O Mary!) God will teach him the Book and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel" (3:48). Here it is clear, that Jesus (May peace be through him) received all these teachings from God only esoterically and spiritually, because he used to receive the aid of the Holy Spirit through spirituality.
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