Q: I wish to purchase the torah zaboor and injeel. Can I do this?
A: Before purchasing them, consider the following points:
a) The original books revealed by Allah Ta'aala to the respective messengers cannot be found anymore. The current books available are not in their original form, but have been changed and altered by man.
b) The final book which is the Qur'aan is our guidance. The Qur'aan has abrogated these previous books. Thus, there is absolutely no need to purchase and read the previous books, which, as previously mentioned, include many falsehoods.
c) Once Sayyidina Umar (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) came in the august presence of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) with a copy of the Taurah and said: O Rasool of Allah! This is a copy of the Taurah. Sayyidina Umar started reading the Taurah and the face of Rasulullah started changing (he was becoming annoyed and angry). Sayyidina Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) noticed this and reproached Sayyidina Umar. When Sayyidina Umar saw the face of Rasulullah (filled with anger) he immediately said: "I seek refuge in Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Rasool. We are pleased with Allah as our Rabb, with Islam as our Deen and with Mohammed as a Nabi". Thereafter, admonishing the Sahaabah, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: I take an oath on that being in whose hands my life lies; if (Nabi) Moosa appears among you and you follow him and stop following me, you would deviate from the straight path. If he (Nabi Moosa) has to be alive and live during my prophet hood, (he would have no choice) but to follow me". (Sunan Ad Daarimi V1 P126). We learn from this narration that; there is no need to read the previous books, reading the previous books is a means of displeasure to Allah and His Rasool, If Nabi Moosa (Alayhis salaam) lived during the era of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam), he would have had no choice but to discard his Shari'ah and follow the Shari'ah and Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam).
d) There is no goodness in the previous books which cannot be found in the Qur'aan and Sunnah. The Qur'aan and Sunnah encompass all goodness of all previous Shari'ahs. Study the Qur'aan and Sunnah under expert guidance. By doing this, you will benefit greatly in this world and the hereafter, Inshaa Allah Ta'aala. Aameen.
Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai